Senior Associate / Partner – Family Team (Dorset)

Farleys-Solicitors; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Clear opportunities for progression

Comprehensive benefits

Supportive firm culture

Job summary

Farleys-Solicitors is seeking a Senior Associate or Partner to join their Family Team in Dorset. The role involves managing high-value family law cases and providing leadership to junior staff, promoting a collaborative and effective team environment.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in private family law and a proven ability to inspire confidence among clients. This position offers competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, along with professional growth opportunities within a respected team.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in private family law (financial and children matters).
• Proven ability to manage complex, high-value matters.
• Strong business development experience with an existing network.

Responsibilities

• Manage and progress a high-value family law caseload.
• Provide strategic leadership and support junior fee-earners.
• Lead marketing and business development activities.
• Contribute to the growth of the Family Team.

Skills

Significant experience in private family law

Strong technical expertise

Excellent client-care skills

Business development experience

Leadership qualities

Job description

Senior Associate / Partner – Family Team (Dorset)

Location: Dorset

Department: Family

Contract: Permanent, full-time

About the Role

Trethowans continues to build on a strong period of growth, and as part of our ongoing investment in our people and practice areas, we’re looking for a talented Senior Associate or Partner to join our Family Team in Dorset. This is an opportunity to become part of a progressive, collaborative and well‑respected team at a time when our presence across the region is going from strength to strength.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for an experienced practitioner to step into a senior role within a highly respected, growing team at one of the South’s leading law firms.

Based within our Dorset offices, you will work closely with specialist family lawyers across our regional network, handling a broad range of high‑quality private family matters including complex financial cases, children issues, and relationship breakdowns.

You will play a key role in strengthening and expanding our Family offering across Dorset. This includes:

• Managing and progressing a high‑value family law caseload
• Providing strategic leadership and supporting junior fee‑earners
• Growing and maintaining strong referral relationships across the region
• Leading on marketing and business development activity
• Contributing to the continued growth and success of the wider Family Team

Our Family Team is known for its constructive, Resolution‑led approach, utilising non‑court dispute resolution wherever suitable while maintaining the expertise to handle court matters when required.

About You

We are looking for a highly motivated, senior‑level family law specialist with:

• Significant experience in private family law (financial and children matters)
• Strong technical expertise and sound procedural knowledge
• A proven ability to manage complex, high‑value matters
• Excellent client‑care skills and the ability to inspire confidence
• Strong business development experience with an existing network of professional connections (a following is advantageous)
• Leadership qualities, with the ability to support and mentor colleagues
• A collaborative approach and commitment to contributing to a thriving, growing team

This role is ideal for someone ready to bring their established reputation to a firm that values initiative, innovation, and professional excellence.

What We Offer

At Trethowans, we offer:

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits
• Clear opportunities for progression and professional development
• A modern, approachable and ambitious firm culture
• The chance to be part of a team that is genuinely growing and evolving

  If you are a Senior Associate or Partner‑level Family Lawyer looking for your next strategic career move in Dorset, we would be delighted to hear from you.