Director / Managing Associate – Private Client

Leeds | 8+ PQE

I’m working with a well-established commercial law firm that is looking to strengthen its Private Client team in Leeds with the appointment of a senior Private Client lawyer at Director or Managing Associate level.

This is a role that offers a bit more than simply taking over a caseload. You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with the Partners in developing the Private Client offering in Leeds, while continuing to handle a high-quality caseload of complex and high-value matters.

The role

You’ll have responsibility for your own clients and matters, alongside supervising and supporting other members of the team.

The work will be varied and will include:

• Advising high-net-worth individuals, business owners and families on complex Private Client matters
• Drafting bespoke Wills, including those incorporating trusts, inheritance tax planning and wealth preservation structures
• Cross-border Wills and estate planning, including working with lawyers in other jurisdictions
• Business succession planning alongside Corporate and Commercial colleagues
• Creating, managing and advising trustees on trusts through to their eventual winding up
• Administration of high-value and complex estates, including those involving business interests and overseas property
• Advising beneficiaries on succession planning and preparing Deeds of Variation where appropriate
• Advising on Lasting Powers of Attorney
• Working closely with colleagues across Corporate, Commercial, Family and Real Estate
• Liaising with accountants, tax advisers, investment managers and financial planners to provide a joined-up service to clients
• Supervising, mentoring and delegating work to more junior members of the team
• Contributing to business development, networking and relationship-building activities

There is also scope to become involved in the wider development of the team and its client base, making this a particularly interesting opportunity for someone who enjoys the commercial and relationship-building side of Private Client work as well as the technical legal work.

About you

I’m keen to speak to experienced Private Client lawyers with around 8+ years' experience, although the quality and breadth of your experience will be more important than the exact PQE.

You’ll ideally have:

• Strong experience handling high-value and complex Private Client matters
• Experience advising business owners and high-net-worth individuals
• A strong technical knowledge of Private Client law
• STEP qualification or equivalent experience
• An understanding of how Private Client work interacts with Corporate, Family and Property matters
• The ability to manage your own workload while supporting and mentoring others
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex issues clearly to clients
• A commercially minded approach and an interest in developing client relationships
• A collaborative approach and the confidence to work with colleagues across different practice areas

You don't necessarily need to be someone who spends all of their time networking and bringing in work, but you should be comfortable getting involved in business development and helping to grow a Private Client offering.

The opportunity

For the right person, this is an opportunity to join a strong commercial firm, take on a senior position within its Leeds Private Client offering and play a genuine role in its continued development.

If you're already operating at Director, Managing Associate, Senior Associate or Partner level — or you're ready for that next step — I'd be interested in having a confidential conversation.

For more information, or for a confidential discussion about the role and wider Private Client opportunities across Yorkshire, please contact me:

Graham Rawlinson
Think Legal Recruitment
graham@thinklegalrecruitment.com
07745 205690