Private Client Solicitor / Fee-Earner

Eventus Recruitment Group; Ripon; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Birthday day off

Pension scheme

On-site parking

Professional development

Job summary

Eventus Legal in Ripon seeks an experienced Private Client Fee Earner to handle wills, probate, and estate administration, with a supportive senior team and flexible hybrid working. The role welcomes both full-time and part-time applicants and offers a competitive package.

You will manage your own caseload, draft wills, assist with trusts, and advise clients on succession planning while maintaining high professional and ethical standards.

Qualifications

• Significant private client experience including wills and probate.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload with limited supervision.
• Strong organisational and client-facing skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage an independent caseload of wills, probate and estate administration.
• Draft and review wills, codicils and estate accounts.
• Advise clients on succession planning and trusts.
• Liaise with executors, beneficiaries, HMRC and financial institutions.
• Maintain high client care standards and regulatory compliance.
• Meet billing targets while building long-term client relationships.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and process improvements.

Skills

Private client experience

Wills and probate

Estate administration

Trusts

Caseload management

Client relations

Education

Solicitor qualification

Chartered Legal Executive

Experience via alternative route

Tools

Case management systems

Job description

Eventus Legal are seeking an experienced Private Client Fee Earner for a full-time or part-time, permanent job with a long-standing law firm in Ripon, North Yorkshire. Offering a salary of up to £70,000 depending on experience, a performance-related bonus of up to £10,000 per year, and flexible hybrid working arrangements to be discussed individually, this is an excellent opportunity to join an established team focused on quality client service. The benefits also include 24 days' annual leave, an additional day off for your birthday and a paid office closure between Christmas Eve and New Year. Furthermore, the firm welcomes experienced private client professionals who can manage their own caseload confidently and value the support of knowledgeable senior colleagues.

Role Responsibilities

This is primarily a hands-on fee-earning position within an established Private Client department, with senior specialists handling the most complex cases. Key responsibilities will include:

• Manage an independent caseload of wills, probate and estate administration, including taxable estates and wills involving discretionary trusts.
• Draft and review wills, codicils, estate accounts, inheritance tax forms and related private client documentation.
• Provide clear and compassionate advice to clients and families on succession planning, trusts and later-life matters.
• Liaise with executors, beneficiaries, HMRC, financial institutions and other professional advisers.
• Maintain high standards of client care, accurate case management and regulatory compliance.
• Meet agreed billing and service targets while building trusted, long-term client relationships.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing, mentoring and process improvement where appropriate.

Person Specification

The successful Private Client Fee Earner will be experienced enough to progress matters with limited day-to-day supervision, while recognising when to seek specialist guidance. The firm is interested in candidates with the following experience and qualities:

• Substantial practical experience in private client work, ideally including wills, probate, estate administration and trusts.
• A qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive background, or substantial relevant expertise gained through an alternative professional route, including those qualified by experience.
• Confidence running a varied caseload independently and providing technically sound advice.
• Strong organisational, client relationship and communication skills, including empathy with elderly or vulnerable clients.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to manage financial and service targets.
• Experience of a local or general practice, supervisory experience, and familiarity with case management systems would be advantageous.

Salary and Benefits

The firm offers a competitive package alongside flexibility for experienced professionals with commitments or a longer commute. The available benefits and working arrangements include:

• Salary up to £70,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Performance-related bonus of up to £10,000 annually, subject to the scheme's billing threshold and cap.
• Flexible hybrid working considered individually, with around two office days per week required as a minimum for client-facing work.
• Full-time and part-time patterns considered, with a minimum of three working days per week; condensed working arrangements can be discussed.
• 24 days' annual leave, plus an additional day for your birthday and paid closure between Christmas Eve and New Year.
• Workplace pension and on-site parking subject to space availability.
• Opportunities for professional development and longer-term career progression.

About the Law Firm

Our client is a long-established North Yorkshire law firm with deep roots in its local communities and a loyal client base spanning generations. The partners place considerable importance on staff wellbeing, professional standards and long-term relationships. The private client team includes practitioners with specialist STEP and Association of Lifetime Lawyers credentials, and the firm offers an experienced, collaborative environment in which to develop a lasting career.