Private Client Solicitor

JMC Legal Recruitment; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

JMC Legal Recruitment is recruiting for a leading UK law firm in Cheltenham to hire an Associate into its Private Client team, targeting 3–7 PQE. You will work on complex, high-value private client matters within an established team and benefit from the firm's broad UK and international platform.

The role offers hybrid working in Cheltenham, with opportunities to advise entrepreneurs, landed families and high-net-worth individuals, alongside specialists in Private Property, Trust and Tax.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor or CILEX lawyer with around 3–7 years' PQE.
• Strong private client background with exposure to high-value matters.
• Excellent drafting and advisory skills.
• Commercially minded with ability to manage client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Advise on estate administration and complex estates.
• Handle succession and inheritance tax planning.
• Create and administer trusts; wealth structuring.
• Draft wills and estate planning documents.
• Collaborate with Private Property, Trust and Tax colleagues.

Skills

Private client experience

Estate administration

Trusts and tax planning

Drafting and advisory skills

Client relationship management

Education

Qualified solicitor or CILEX

Job description

Looking for a Private Client role where the quality of the work matters as much as the quality of the team?

A leading UK law firm is looking to strengthen its Cheltenham Private Client team with an Associate at 3–7 PQE.

Based in the Cotswolds, this is an opportunity to work on complex, high-value private client matters as part of an established team, while benefiting from the resources and client base of a wider UK and international practice.

The work

The team advises a sophisticated client base including entrepreneurs, business owners, landed families, high-net-worth individuals, senior executives and international families.

You’ll work across a broad range of private client matters, including:

• Estate administration and complex estates
• Succession and inheritance tax planning
• Trust creation and administration
• Wealth structuring
• Wills and broader estate planning
• Advising UK and international families and trustees

There is also plenty of opportunity to work alongside specialist Private Property, Trust and Tax colleagues, giving you exposure to wider aspects of private wealth and the opportunity to build strong internal relationships.

Some matters have an international element, although international experience isn't essential.

The team

You’ll join an established Cheltenham team comprising Partners, a Senior Associate, Associates, a Trainee and dedicated Trust & Tax support.

The team is genuinely collaborative, with experienced lawyers who are happy to share their knowledge while giving Associates the autonomy to take ownership of their own matters and client relationships.

You’ll also have access to the wider UK Private Client network, providing exposure to a broader range of clients, expertise and complex work.

Who they're looking for

The ideal candidate will be a qualified solicitor or CILEX lawyer with around 3–7 years' PQE and a

strong private client background.

You’ll ideally have:

• Strong experience in estate administration, trusts and inheritance tax
• The ability to manage a varied caseload with appropriate autonomy
• Strong technical and drafting skills
• A practical and commercially minded approach to client advice
• Confidence managing client relationships and taking ownership of matters
• The ability to work collaboratively and support more junior lawyers

STEP qualification is advantageous, but not essential.

Why consider it?

This isn't about simply adding another caseload to your CV.

It's an opportunity to work on complex private client matters for sophisticated clients, alongside experienced specialists, with the support and reach of a highly regarded UK practice.

Whether you're looking to take the next step at 3–4 PQE or you're already operating at Senior Associate level, there is scope to develop your career within the team.

And you get to do it from Cheltenham, rather than a major city, with the lifestyle that comes with being based in the Cotswolds.

Hybrid working is available, with the exact arrangement dependent on the requirements of the

role and team.