Senior Associate - Private Client

DWF; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

DWF in Manchester is seeking a Senior Associate for its Private Client team to advise on wealth planning, succession, and estate administration for high-net-worth clients. You will work with specialists on complex wealth structures and provide strategic advice in a high-value environment.

The role offers a hybrid working model based in Manchester or Birmingham, with opportunities for career progression and mentoring junior lawyers within a market-leading team.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with significant private client experience advising high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals and families.
• Strong client relationship management skills with a commercial approach to delivering advice.
• Experience mentoring and supporting the development of junior fee earners.

Responsibilities

• Advise high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals on private client and wealth planning matters.
• Draft and advise on complex wills, including trusts and business assets.
• Advise on lasting powers of attorney and Court of Protection matters.
• Administer estates and assist with inheritance tax planning and lifetime gifting strategies.
• Collaborate with professionals to deliver coordinated client solutions and contribute to practice growth.

Skills

Private client experience

Client relationship management

Communication skills

Mentoring junior fee earners

Education

Solicitor qualification

Job description

Why join us?

We are seeking an experienced Senior Associate to join our expanding Private Client team. Our Private Client practice has established a strong reputation for delivering commercially focused, highly personalised advice to high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals, families, entrepreneurs, business owners, trustees and family offices. As the team continues to grow, we are looking for an ambitious lawyer who is keen to play a key role in its ongoing success. Working alongside highly regarded specialists, you will advise on sophisticated wealth planning, succession and estate administration matters for a diverse client base with complex personal, family and business wealth structures.

The role offers exposure to high-value, technically challenging work, direct client contact and genuine opportunities for career progression. This is an excellent opportunity for a private client lawyer looking to further develop their expertise within a market-leading team and make a meaningful impact on the continued growth of the Private Client practice. The role is suited to candidates based in Manchester or Birmingham, operating within a hybrid working model.

Responsibilities

• Advise high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families and business owners on a mix of private client and wealth planning matters.
• Provide strategic advice on estate planning, succession planning and wealth preservation.
• Draft and advise on complex wills, including trusts and business assets.
• Advise on and prepare Lasting Powers of Attorney and other lifetime planning arrangements.
• Administer taxable and non-taxable estates, including complex and high-value matters.
• Support with inheritance tax planning, capital gains tax implications and lifetime gifting strategies.
• Establish, administer and restructure trusts, advising trustees on their responsibilities.
• Assist on family investment and wealth-holding structures.
• Manage Court of Protection matters, including deputyship applications and ongoing administration.
• Collaborate with HMRC, accountants, tax advisers, trustees and other professional advisers to deliver coordinated client solutions.
• Contribute to the growth, strategic direction and ongoing success of the Private Client practice.
• Supervise, mentor and support the development of junior lawyers and other team members.
• Experience supervising, mentoring and supporting the development of junior fee earners.

STEP qualification is desirable but not essential.

What will help you succeed in this role?

• Qualified Solicitor with significant private client experience advising high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals, families and business owners.
• Strong technical expertise across wills and succession planning, trusts, estate administration, inheritance tax planning, lasting powers of attorney and Court of Protection matters.
• Experience advising on complex, high-value estates involving business, agricultural, investment and property assets.
• Strong client relationship management skills, with a commercial approach to delivering advice.
• Ability to manage a busy and varied caseload effectively while maintaining high standards of client service.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with clients, intermediaries and colleagues.
• Experience supervising, mentoring and supporting the development of junior fee earners.

What we offer?

We are committed to ensuring that each member of our team feels valued and duly rewarded during their time at DWF. We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.

We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support needed.

You may be the right candidate for the role or others across the wider team.

About us

DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. We empower people to be themselves within an inclusive and supportive environment, enabling everyone to achieve their full potential in line with their abilities and career aspirations.