Overview
Instruction to recruit a senior lawyer to join an established SRA-regulated law firm in Stevenage as Partner Designate, with a defined and genuine route to Equity Partnershipfollowing the retirement of an existing Equity Partner in April 2027.
This is a succession-based appointment. The successful candidate will work alongside the current Equity Partner during a structured handover period and will be expected to assume a significant leadership role within the firm ahead of transition.
The role is intended to ensure continuity of leadership, client relationships, and regulatory responsibilities.
The firm operates across Residential Conveyancing, Litigation, Private Client, Employment and Family Law, each supported by dedicated legal secretaries.
Role Structure
- Initial appointment as employed Partner Designate
- Structured transition period leading to a provisional date of April 2027
- Progression to Equity Partnership on retirement of current Equity Partner, subject to performance and strategic alignment
Essential Requirements
- Qualified Solicitor with significant post-qualification experience
- Current or former Partner, Legal Director, or Senior Associate with leadership responsibility
- Proven experience managing teams within a law firm
- Strong understanding of SRA Standards and Regulations
- COFA experience or willingness to take on COFA responsibilities (essential)
- Strong knowledge of SRA Accounts Rules, compliance, risk and governance (essential)
- Demonstrable business development and client relationship management experience
- Ability to operate at senior leadership level in a regulated environment
Preferred Practice Areas
- Employment Law (preferred)
- Family Law (preferred)
Key Responsibilities
- Work closely with the retiring Equity Partner during the transition period
- Manage and develop a caseload and existing client relationships
- Take an active role in the operational and strategic management of the firm
- Supervise and support fee earners and support staff
- Oversee compliance, governance and risk management (including COFA responsibilities where applicable)
- Support business development and referrer relationship management
- Contribute to financial planning and firm performance
- Participate in succession planning and leadership transition
Opportunity
This is a genuine succession opportunity within a stable, long-established SRA-regulated practice.
The successful candidate will be integrated into the firm’s leadership structure from commencement, with a defined route to Equity Partnership on retirement of the current Equity Partner provisionally in April 2027.
This is not an open-ended “future potential” partnership discussion; it is a structured handover and planned transition into ownership.
Candidate Profile
The firm is seeking a commercially driven senior lawyer who is:
- Ambitious and seeking a long-term partnership position
- Experienced in leading teams within a regulated law firm environment
- Comfortable balancing fee earning with leadership and compliance responsibilities
- Strong in client development and relationship management
- Looking for a genuine succession-based equity opportunity
Pay: £45,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Private dental insurance
- Private medical insurance
- Profit sharing
Application question(s):
- Operational and strategic management within a law firm
Work Location: In person
