Private Client Solicitor
Location: Lancaster (And Blackpool where required)
Salary: Starting from £40,000 (dependant on experience)
Job Type: Full-time (Part-time considered for the right candidate)
Office Based
About Berrys Solicitors
Berrys Solicitors is a growing, family-run law firm with offices in Blackpool and Lancaster, serving clients throughout Lancashire and the surrounding areas.
We have built an excellent reputation for delivering practical, professional and client-focused legal advice across a broad range of private client matters, including:
- Wills and Estate Planning
- Probate and Estate Administration
- Trusts
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Court of Protection
- Deputyship Applications
- Statutory Wills
- Contentious Probate
- Inheritance Act Claims
- Contested Wills and Estate Disputes
- Residential Property
As part of our continuing growth, we are seeking an enthusiastic and technically strong Private Client Solicitor to join our expanding team.
Why Join Us?
- Established and respected law firm with offices in Blackpool and Lancaster
- Growing Private Client Department with strong referral streams
- High-quality and varied caseload
- Genuine autonomy and responsibility
- Friendly and supportive team environment
- Opportunity to develop specialist interests
- Direct client contact and significant file ownership
- Career progression opportunities within a growing practice
The Role
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Private Client Solicitor looking to develop their career within a busy and expanding department.
You will manage your own varied caseload whilst working closely with the firm's Solicitors and other fee earners.
The successful candidate will be expected to handle matters including:
- Wills and Estate Planning
- Probate and Estate Administration
- Trusts
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Court of Protection matters
- Deputyship Applications
- Statutory Wills
- Inheritance Tax Planning
- Contentious Probate
- Inheritance Act Claims
- Contested Wills and Estate Disputes
The role may also involve residential property matters where experience permits, although this is not essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Managing and progressing your own caseload from instruction to conclusion.
- Providing technical legal advice to clients across a broad range of private client matters.
- Drafting Wills, Trusts, LPAs and associated documentation.
- Administering estates and advising executors, trustees and beneficiaries.
- Handling Court of Protection applications and deputyship matters.
- Managing contentious probate and inheritance disputes.
- Attending court hearings, mediations and conferences where required.
- Maintaining excellent standards of client care and communication.
- Recording time accurately and achieving agreed billing targets.
- Developing and maintaining professional relationships with clients and introducers.
- Supporting and assisting other fee earners when required.
- Supervising and training junior staff and paralegals where appropriate.
- Ensuring compliance with SRA, AML and GDPR requirements.
Candidate Requirements Essential
- Qualified Solicitor
- Ideally 4+ years PQE (although strong candidates with different levels of experience will be considered).
- Strong technical knowledge across private client law.
- Demonstrable experience of independently managing a full and varied private client caseload from instruction through to conclusion.
- Proven fee-earning experience with responsibility for billing, time recording and achieving financial targets.
- Experience of client-facing work and maintaining long-term client relationships.14
- Experience handling your own caseload with minimal supervision.
- Experience dealing with Probate and Estate Administration matters.
- Experience drafting Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.
- Excellent communication and client care skills.
- Strong organisational and time management abilities.
- Commercial awareness and a proactive approach.
Highly Desirable but not essential
- Experience dealing with Court of Protection matters.
- Experience dealing with Trusts and Estate Planning matters.
- Experience dealing with contentious probate and inheritance dispute matters independently.
- STEP qualification or working towards STEP.
- Experience supervising and training junior staff.
- Experience in Residential Property matters.
Other Requirements
- Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle (preferred).
- Ability to attend both Lancaster and Blackpool offices where required.
- Willingness to attend client home visits, hospitals, care homes and other locations when necessary.
Benefits
- Competitive salary (From £40,000 DOE)
- Company pension
- Professional development support
- Funding for relevant training and qualifications (subject to agreement)
- Supportive and friendly working environment
- Opportunities for progression within a growing firm
We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: From £40,000.00 per year
Licence/Certification:
- Solicitors qualification or cilex equivalent (required)
Work Location: In person
