Private Client Solicitor or Legal Executive (5+ PQE) - Ipswich

The Private Client/Lifetime Planning Team helps our clients to put plans and systems in place, to make sure their wishes are achieved and the future of their families safeguarded. Our work includes wills, trusts, complex lifetime tax planning, estate administration, powers of attorney and Court of Protection. We have team members based in all our offices in Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Norwich and we share work, expertise and support across the team.

The Role

We are looking for a Solicitor or Legal Executive to join us. You will be responsible for your own caseload as well as working alongside the members of the Lifetime Planning team. Amongst other matters, you can expect to work on complex estate administration involving taxable estates, often with agricultural and business elements, preparation of deeds of variation and declarations of trust. You will advise clients on issues surrounding succession, tax and mental capacity and will be working within the team who have specialism in advising both high net worth individuals as well as elderly and vulnerable clients and their families. You will also work on Court of Protection matters. You will have the opportunity to work across all areas of private client work to build your skills across the discipline.

Ashtons Legal offers great opportunities to develop and maintain both technical and leadership and management skills. On a day to day basis, you can expect to:

• Manage your own caseload, including good financial housekeeping
• Develop, support, supervise and coach more junior members of the team
• Conduct meetings with clients, either face to face or remotely
• Assess legal issues and advise accordingly
• Advise on costs and scope of work
• Conduct legal research
• Draft documents and letters
• Keep up to date with law and practice
• Assist the Lifetime Planning Team based in other offices when required
• Assist in the development of long term client relationships including assisting and attending business development activities
• Be confident in the use of technology, both in regard to a case management system and also as a means of working with clients and colleagues and maintaining strong relationships

Knowledge, skills and experience required:

• Be qualified as a Solicitor or CILEX Lawyer
• You will have at least five years of post-qualification relevant experience in private client work, particularly estate administration, and working with vulnerable clients
• STEP qualification, or part qualified, is desirable or with a keen interest in working towards this
• Be knowledgeable in complex private client work
• Excellent communication and team skills
• Experience of developing junior members of the team
• Have a good work ethic

Hours of work: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Flexible working arrangements form part of the firm’s culture and discussions are encouraged as part of our interview process.