Senior Private Children Lawyer

Realm Recruit; Leeds; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Lead Leeds children team

Job summary

Realm Recruit is seeking a Senior Private Children lawyer to lead and grow a Leeds-based children team, handling high-net-worth private children matters on an established caseload. You will act as the senior presence in Leeds, providing strategic direction and developing the team's profile.

The role offers autonomy, influence, and a clear progression pathway, with partnership considered in the longer term for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Senior Private Children lawyer with day-to-day case-running experience.
• 7+ years’ PQE.
• Significant experience handling private law children matters.
• Able to supervise and support junior lawyers.
• Experience working with high-net-worth clients or complex cases.
• Confident advising clients independently and leading sensitive matters.

Responsibilities

• Run a ready-made caseload of complex private children matters.
• Act as the senior lead for the Leeds children team.
• Supervise and mentor two existing children lawyers.
• Handle high-value, sensitive and complex children cases.
• Be hands-on with case strategy, client relationships and outcomes.
• Support the long-term growth and profile of the children team in Leeds.
• Carry out advocacy where appropriate and desired.

Skills

Senior Private Children Lawyer

Leadership

Client advisory

Mentoring junior lawyers

Job description

• Senior Private Children Lawyer role with the opportunity to lead and grow a Leeds-based children team
• High-quality HNW private children work with a strong pipeline of internal referrals
• Senior Associate or Legal Director level with standout salary, flexibility and long-term progression

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced Private Children lawyer to step into a senior leadership role in Leeds, taking ownership of an established caseload while shaping and growing the children offering locally.

You’ll join an already active children team and become the figurehead in Leeds. The focus is firmly on complex private children matters for high-net-worth clients, with Leeds chargeable rates and none of the pressure of building a caseload from scratch.

For the right person, this role offers genuine autonomy, influence, and the chance to build something long-term, whether that’s at Senior Associate or Legal Director level, with partnership considered further down the line.

Who we’re looking for

• Senior Private Children lawyer with strong day-to-day case-running experience
• 7+ years’ PQE
• Significant experience handling private law children matters
• Comfortable acting as a senior presence and figurehead within a children team
• Able to supervise and support junior lawyers
• Experience working with high-net-worth clients or complex cases
• Confident advising clients independently and leading sensitive matters
• Background may include a mix of private children and care work, with a clear emphasis on private children (Desired)

What you’ll be doing

• Running a ready-made caseload of complex private children matters
• Acting as the senior lead for the Leeds children team
• Supervising and mentoring two existing children lawyers
• Handling high-value, sensitive and complex children cases
• Being hands‑on with case strategy, client relationships and outcomes
• Supporting the long‑term growth and profile of the children team in Leeds
• Carrying out advocacy where appropriate and desired

Salary & Benefits

• Highly competitive salary
• Legal Director viewed as a genuine alternative to partnership
• Clear progression pathway with scope to build and lead the Leeds children team
• High-quality HNW work without city chargeable pressure
• Flexible working options
• Supportive, down‑to‑earth environment despite the quality of work
• Long-term security and investment in the growth of the children offering

Contact Lucy Wickham

[e-mail]

03300 245 606

Lucy specialises in senior family law roles across Yorkshire and can give you a clear picture of how this opportunity compares to other Senior Associate, Legal Director and partnership‑track children roles in Yorkshire and beyond.