Private Client Solicitor | 1+Pqe

Clayton Legal; Chipping Barnet; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Job summary

Clayton Legal in Barnet is seeking a Private Client Solicitor or Legal Executive with 2+ PQE to join its established team. The role offers hybrid working and the opportunity to manage a varied direct Private Client caseload from instruction to completion.

You will handle wills, probate, estate administration and inheritance tax planning for a predominantly regional, high-net-worth client base, with autonomy and support from an experienced Private Client department.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a Private Client caseload independently.
• Strong grounding across Wills, Probate and Estate Administration.
• Ability to explain complex legal issues clearly.

Responsibilities

• Will drafting and estate planning.
• Estate administration and probate matters.
• Inheritance tax advice and tax planning.
• Manage files from instruction to completion with support available.

Skills

Private Client

Wills & Probate

Inheritance Tax

Tax Planning

Job description

Private Client Solicitor

Barnet | 1+ PQE | Hybrid Working | Competitive Salary + Bonus

A well-established and highly regarded High Street law firm is looking to appoint a Private Client Solicitor or Legal Executive with 1+ PQE to join its established team in Barnet.

This is an opportunity to join a firm with a long-standing reputation and a predominantly regional, high-net-worth client base, where lawyers are trusted to manage their matters from instruction through to completion.

The role

You’ll manage a varied Private Client caseload with a good level of autonomy, while having access to experienced support when needed.

Your work will include:

• Will drafting
• Lasting Powers of Attorney
• Estate administration
• Probate matters
• Tax planning
• Inheritance Tax advice
• A small amount of trust administration
• Matters involving attorneys acting on behalf of clients

There is very little Court of Protection work, and the firm does not act as professional deputies.

You’ll be expected to manage your files from start to finish, with supervision available within a supportive and experienced Private Client team.

About you

The ideal candidate will be 2+ PQE, although an exceptional NQ with strong training experience may also be considered.

You should be someone who:

• Has experience managing a Private Client caseload independently
• Is confident running matters from instruction through to conclusion
• Has a strong technical grounding across Wills, Probate and Estate Administration
• Can advise confidently on Inheritance Tax and tax planning
• Is able to explain complex legal issues clearly and in an accessible way
• Works well independently while also being a collaborative team member
• Has excellent attention to detail and organisation skills
• Is comfortable taking responsibility for their own files and deadlines

The key requirement is technical ability and the confidence to manage your own caseload. This is not a role for someone who needs significant day-to-day supervision.

The team

You’ll join an established Private Client department headed by a lawyer with over 25 years' experience in Private Client.

The team is based together in the firm's Barnet office, with regular weekly meetings to discuss cases and ongoing support available to fee earners.

You'll also have access to:

• LEXIS/NEXIS
• Practical Law
• LEAP AI research and support
• LEAP case management
• CPD training through a number of providers
• Secretarial and administrative assistance
• Voice recognition and outsourcing support

Hybrid working

The role is office-based for an initial six-month bedding-in period to allow you to get to know the team, systems and client base.

After this, hybrid working of 1-2 days remotely per week is available, with some flexibility required to ensure appropriate office cover when colleagues are absent.

What’s on offer?

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Bonus scheme linked to performance and billing
• Hybrid working after the initial six-month period
• 33 days' annual leave including bank holidays
• Additional office closure days around Easter, Whitsun, August Bank Holiday and Christmas/New Year
• Pension scheme
• Access to industry-leading legal research and AI tools
• Ongoing CPD and professional development
• Supportive and experienced Private Client team
• Predominantly mid-to-high-net-worth client base
• Genuine autonomy and responsibility over your caseload
• Long-term opportunity within an established firm