Private Client Senior Associate / Associate Partner

Realm Recruit; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Career progression toward Partner

Employee-owned culture

Tailored personal development

Study leave for exams

Job summary

Realm Recruit is partnering with a Private Client boutique in Cheltenham to appoint a Senior Associate/Associate Partner. You will handle high-value Private Wealth matters for high-net-worth clients, working with experienced Partners and a dedicated tax and trusts team.

The role offers a non-hierarchical culture, flexible career progression toward Partnership, and genuine hybrid/agile working. Ideal for a technically strong solicitor seeking autonomy and mentorship.

Qualifications

• Experienced Private Client Solicitor with strong technical expertise in tax and trusts.
• Solid experience in trusts and private client tax matters.
• Understanding of inheritance tax, lifetime gifting and estate planning.
• Working knowledge of capital gains tax and income tax considerations.
• Experience advising high-net-worth clients within a Private Wealth practice.

Responsibilities

• Advising high-net-worth clients on Private Wealth matters.
• Handling complex trusts and tax planning work.
• Advising on inheritance tax and lifetime gifting.
• Supporting succession and estate planning strategies.
• Considering CGT and income tax implications.
• Working alongside specialist tax and trust colleagues.
• Managing sophisticated client relationships.
• Delivering exceptional client care.
• Contributing to shared team targets.
• Developing a technical specialism if desired.
• Mentoring junior colleagues where appropriate.
• Supporting the wider collaborative culture.

Skills

Private Client Solicitor

Trusts

Estate planning

Inheritance tax

Capital gains tax

High-net-worth clients

Client relationship management

Mentoring juniors

Team collaboration

Leadership development

Education

STEP or CTA qualification

Job description

• Join a Legal 500 Tier 1 Private Client team handling complex, high-value Private Wealth matters
• Enjoy hybrid and agile working, with genuine flexibility and manageable team-based targets
• Benefit from tailored career progression, with opportunities to reach Partner level without rigid timescales

Are you an experienced Private Client Solicitor with strong tax and trusts expertise, looking for high-quality work and the freedom to shape your own career?

This established, employee-owned boutique law firm is seeking a Private Client Senior Associate / Associate Partner to join its team in Cheltenham.

You’ll advise high-net-worth clients on sophisticated Private Wealth matters, working alongside experienced Partners and dedicated tax and trust specialists.

This is an opportunity to join a technically excellent team without the pressures often associated with larger firms. You’ll handle complex matters while benefiting from realistic expectations, genuine team-based targets and a collaborative approach.

The firm takes a refreshingly individual approach to career development. Whether you want to become a recognised technical specialist, mentor junior colleagues or progress towards Partnership, you’ll be supported in building a career that suits your strengths and ambitions.

As an employee-owned practice, the firm is committed to protecting its supportive, non-hierarchical culture. Partners work closely alongside fee earners, and progression is based on contribution rather than fixed timescales or restrictive promotion structures.

Who we’re looking for

• Experienced Private Client Solicitor with strong technical expertise (E)
• Solid experience of trusts and private client tax matters (E)
• Understanding of inheritance tax, lifetime gifting and estate planning (E)
• Working knowledge of capital gains tax and income tax considerations (E)
• Experience advising high-net-worth clients (E)
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to consider the wider picture (E)
• Excellent client care, communication and relationship-building skills (E)
• Collaborative approach and willingness to contribute to the wider firm (E)
• Enthusiasm for developing technical expertise (E)
• Ideally 5+ years’ PQE (D)
• Experience within a reputable Private Client practice (D)
• STEP or CTA qualification, or willingness to work towards one (D)
• Experience mentoring junior colleagues (D)

What you’ll be doing

• Advising high-net-worth clients on Private Wealth matters
• Handling complex trusts and tax planning work
• Advising on inheritance tax and lifetime gifting
• Supporting succession and estate planning strategies
• Considering CGT and income tax implications
• Working alongside specialist tax and trust colleagues
• Managing sophisticated client relationships
• Delivering exceptional client care
• Contributing to shared team targets
• Developing a technical specialism if desired
• Mentoring junior colleagues where appropriate
• Supporting the wider’s collaborative culture

Salary & Benefits

• £80,000–£90,000, depending on experience
• Annual discretionary bonus, with a strong history of meaningful annual payouts, although not guaranteed
• Hybrid working – 2 days from home per week
• Additional agile working flexibility, including adaptable start and finish times
• 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays at Senior Associate level, with increased entitlement on promotion
• Employee-owned, independent law firm
• Genuine team-based targets rather than individual billing pressures
• High-quality, complex Private Wealth work
• Supportive, non-hierarchical working environment
• Tailored personal development plans
• No fixed timescales or caps on progression
• Potential to progress from Senior Associate towards Partner level within approximately 3 years, depending on performance
• Support for STEP and CTA qualifications
• Study leave for exams and professional development
• Opportunity to develop a specialist practice or pursue leadership
• Strong staff retention and collaborative culture

This is an excellent opportunity for a Private Client Senior Associate or Associate Partner seeking exceptional work, genuine flexibility and a career path shaped around their individual ambitions.

While this advert sets out the criteria applicable to each salary band, the salary guidance given is purely indicative. The precise salary offered within that band will ultimately be determined by the hirer, taking into account the individual candidate’s experience, qualifications and overall suitability for the role.