Private Client Senior Associate (5+ years PQE)

Our London-based Trusts and Estates team is looking to recruit an Associate or Senior Associate (ideally with 5+ years' PQE) to join us on a full-time, permanent basis. This is an exciting opportunity to work closely within a highly regarded Private Wealth practice who advise high net worth individuals, families, trustees and business owners on a broad range of succession and wealth planning matters.

Alongside this, you will gain exposure to complex estate and succession planning, trusts, estate administration, acting for independent administrators of estates, tax planning and wealth preservation, and you will play a key role in supporting and helping to grow an established client base. Our clients include high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, family business owners, trustees and international families.

You will advise on matters including wills and succession planning, trusts, estate administration, tax planning and wider wealth preservation strategies, enjoying direct client contact and significant responsibility from an early stage. The London team offers a unique opportunity to play a key role within a growing private wealth practice.

Working alongside and reporting directly to an experienced private client partner and supported by a dedicated Paralegal, you will be involved in a broad range of high-quality matters while benefiting from close collaboration and mentorship. You will also have access to the expertise, resources and support of Ashfords' wider Trusts and Estates team, giving you the best of both a close-knit local team and a well-established national practice.

From day one, you will have exposure to sophisticated and rewarding work, the opportunity to build strong client relationships, and a genuine platform to develop your profile within a highly regarded and expanding Private Wealth team.

Who you are

As a suitably experienced and qualified lawyer, you will have a strong background in private wealth, trusts and estates work. Whether you are looking to develop your expertise further or take the next step in your career, you will be keen to play a prominent role in a growing London practice. You will enjoy building trusted relationships with clients and have experience advising high net worth individuals, families, trustees, business owners and other private clients on a range of succession, tax and wealth planning matters.

As a confident and personable communicator, you will be comfortable managing client relationships and delivering practical, commercially focused advice. As someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and is excited by the opportunity to become a key member of a close-knit team, you will be keen to take ownership of matters, contribute to the continued growth of the London practice and play an active role in developing client and professional networks.

A proactive and commercially minded approach is essential, together with strong technical skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage a varied caseload effectively. You will be motivated by delivering exceptional client service and will have a genuine interest in business development and raising your profile within the private wealth market.

Most importantly, you will share our commitment to providing outstanding client care and will be looking for a role that offers high-quality work, direct client exposure and a genuine opportunity to progress within a highly regarded and supportive team.

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.

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 - t.tompkins@ashfords.co.uk.