Senior Solicitor/ Head of Legal - Private Client (Wills, Trusts, Probate & Estate Planning)

JR United Kingdom; Exeter; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal services company in Exeter is seeking a Senior Solicitor/Head of Legal specializing in private client matters such as Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning. This remote-first role requires a UK-qualified solicitor with at least 5 years of experience and involves leading on complex estate planning and mentoring staff. The position offers a competitive salary, annual performance bonuses, and the opportunity to shape legal strategies within a growing organization.

Benefits

Annual performance bonus linked to group results

Remote-first working with flexible hours

Company pension

Direct input into regulatory and legal development

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience in private client law.
• Significant experience in trust drafting and tax-efficient estate planning.
• Ability to work independently with high-quality technical delivery.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert legal advice on private client matters.
• Draft complex legal documents aligned with best practices.
• Supervise and mentor junior solicitors or trainees.

Skills

Legal accuracy

Risk awareness

Communication

Education

UK-qualified solicitor (or CILEX equivalent)

Tools

Legal case management systems

Digital documentation systems

Job description

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Senior Solicitor/ Head of Legal - Private Client (Wills, Trusts, Probate & Estate Planning), exeter

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Client:

Location:

exeter, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

6

Posted:

16.06.2025

Expiry Date:

31.07.2025

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Job Description:

Location:Remote (UK-based)

Contract:Full-Time, Permanent

About the Role

We are recruiting a Head of Legal/ Private Client Solicitor to lead on complex estate planning, trust structuring, and probate work within a growing, forward-thinking legal services business. This is a remote-first position with the flexibility to operate autonomously and the scope to shape the future direction of our legal function.

This is a key strategic hire as we finalise our transition to a regulated legal practice under the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The successful candidate will play an essential role in maintaining legal quality, ensuring compliance, and supporting the broader legal team.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver expert legal advice on a range of private client matters, including:
• Wills and lifetime trusts
• Estate and inheritance tax planning
• Probate and estate administration
• Deeds of variation, declarations of trust, and other associated instruments
• Supervise and advise on residential conveyancing transactions, particularly where linked to trust structures.
• Draft complex legal documents with precision, aligned with best practice and legal requirements.
• Maintain current knowledge of private client law, tax, and compliance developments.
• Support firm-wide compliance and governance processes, including potential appointment as COLP (Compliance Officer for Legal Practice).
• Mentor junior solicitors or trainees as needed.

Your Experience

• UK-qualified solicitor (or CILEX equivalent) with a minimum of 5 years’ post-qualification experience in private client law.
• Significant experience in trust drafting, tax-efficient estate planning, and probate work.
• Working knowledge of residential conveyancing transactions, particularly in the context of trust or estate work.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and a track record of high-quality technical delivery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to legal accuracy and risk awareness.
• Previous experience acting as or working closely with a COLP, or demonstrable knowledge of SRA Standards & Regulations.
• Experience using legal case management and digital documentation systems.

Why Join Us

• Annual performance bonuslinked to group results.
• Remote-first workingwith flexible hours and full reimbursement of any required travel.
• Company pensionand supportive team culture.
• Direct input (and career progression)into regulatory, legal, and strategic development of a fast-growing practice.