Private Client Lawyer (4 years+ PQE) in Exeter

Ashfords' highly regarded Trusts & Estates team is looking to recruit an experienced lawyer to join us on a full-time, permanent basis. Ideally with at least 4 years PQE, we are open to applications from lawyers at Associate level and above, including those seeking appointment as a Legal Director or Partner. Whilst this role is primarily based in our Exeter office, we would consider exceptional candidates based from another Ashfords office who are able to spend regular time in Exeter.

Our busy and well-respected Trusts and Estates team is known for working with families over many generations looking after their national and international assets to create strategic and practical solutions to the issues our clients face. The team advise on wills and succession planning, trusts, probate and the administration of estates, tax, tax risk planning, the structuring of art, heritage, cultural or other unique assets, and wealth preservation more generally. Our clients are often high net worth individuals, business owners, executors and trustees alongside a large number of farmers and landowners in the region, meaning you will have a varied caseload, working for an array of different clients. From the outset you can expect exposure to high quality work, whilst being entrusted with a high level of responsibility.

Who you are

As a naturally ambitious and self-motivated individual, you will have a good level of experience in a successful Private Wealth team. Known for being an excellent communicator, you will excel at gaining the confidence of clients you are working with, alongside an ability to build strong and lasting relationships. Our relationship with our clients is paramount. You’ll have a natural enthusiasm for client contact, networking and business development, being a strong and confident communicator who enjoys generating and developing new business connections, which you may have already begun doing in your current role. With a natural resilience, you will be able to cope with stressful and demanding situations, and be accustomed to working under pressure to meet challenging deadlines. We will expect you to take a high degree of responsibility for the cases you're working on, whilst providing you with development in terms of your legal and wider commercial and management skills.

At Ashfords, we believe in more than just doing great work - we believe in building a great place to work. When you join us, you become part of a team where everything we do is underpinned by our four core values: Be Open, Think Team, Make a Difference and Always Grow. These values shape who we are and how we work - they guide our decisions, influence our culture, and drive the way we support our people, clients and communities. With a clear focus on innovation, community involvement, and supporting a healthy work-life balance, we are committed to building an environment where our people can have a rewarding and meaningful career. Whilst we recognise that every career journey is unique, we will be ambitious for you, giving you the tools, trust, and opportunities to develop your career, your way. Our goal? To help you realise your full potential as part of a forward-thinking team.

Our offer

We know that our people are at the heart of everything we do - and that’s why we’re committed to supporting your wellbeing, growth and work-life balance. Beyond our benefits package, you’ll be encouraged, no matter what your role or career level, to get involved in our Responsible Business programme, where you’ll support initiatives such as charity fundraising, environmental causes and our employee led diversity and inclusion groups. You can find out more about our benefits by visiting the Reward & Wellbeing page on our website.

What’s next?

Our recruitment process typically involves two stages, which are designed not only to explore your skills and experience but also to give you a real insight into what it’s like to work at Ashfords. Throughout the process, our dedicated Talent Attraction team will be here to support you every step of the way. We believe that building a firm with a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences drives innovation and strengthens our teams, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. To support your growth, we offer ongoing training and development opportunities to help you reach your full potential - so even if you don’t feel you match all the requirements of the job role, we’d still love to hear from you. At Ashfords, we’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to succeed.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or would like to discuss anything regarding your application, please contact us at talentattraction@ashfords.co.uk. For an informal and confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Toby Tompkins, Talent Attraction Manager via email: t.tompkins@ashfords.co.uk.