Senior Private Client Solicitor / Partner | Leadership Opportunity in a Growing Legal 500 Team

South West London | Hybrid Working | Excellent Salary + Bonus

Are you an experienced Private Client lawyer looking for a role with real influence, genuine autonomy and the opportunity to become the key senior presence within a thriving South West London office? We are working with a highly regarded Legal 500 firm seeking a Senior Associate or Partner-level Private Client lawyer to join its growing team in the Richmond/Barnes area. This is an outstanding opportunity for someone who enjoys high-quality private client work but also wants to play a meaningful role in shaping and supporting a growing team. The department has expanded rapidly, work levels are strong, and there is already an excellent pipeline of clients and referrals in place.

The Opportunity

The wider Private Client department is established and successful across multiple London offices, but the South West London team is currently relatively junior-heavy and now needs a more experienced lawyer to lead from the front locally. You will walk into an existing caseload and quickly become the go-to senior figure within the office, with plenty of autonomy and visibility from day one.

The role will involve:

• Managing a broad private client caseload independently
• Advising on wills, probate, LPAs and estate administration
• Handling more complex estates, trusts and tax planning matters
• Supporting and mentoring junior lawyers and trainees
• Building and strengthening local referrer and client relationships
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the wider London team

This is not simply a title-only leadership role. The firm genuinely wants someone who can become a trusted senior presence locally and help shape the future growth of the offering in the area.

About You

The firm is ideally seeking someone operating at:

• Senior Associate level ready for greater autonomy and profile
• Existing Partner level within private client

You will ideally bring:

• Strong technical private client experience
• Confidence handling complex estates and trust matters
• Excellent client relationship and communication skills
• A collaborative, approachable leadership style
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior lawyers
• Commercial awareness and an interest in helping grow the practice locally

Networking and relationship-building would be highly valued, although it is not essential as there is already substantial work in place.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Genuine leadership opportunity within a growing team
• Strong existing caseload and referral network already in place
• Hybrid working with 2–3 days from home
• Friendly, people-focused Legal 500 firm culture
• Excellent quality private client work
• Autonomy and visibility without the politics often found in larger City environments

Particularly attractive for someone wanting seniority and influence while maintaining work‑life balance. The role is based primarily in the Richmond/Barnes area, with attendance in the Central London office typically once per week.

Salary & Benefits

• Excellent salary plus bonus structure
• Hybrid working (typically 2–3 days from home)
• Five weeks’ holiday plus bank holidays and additional company days
• Bupa healthcare (including cover for children)
• Life assurance, income protection and critical illness cover
• Pension scheme
• Retail discounts and wellbeing platform
• Strong emphasis on flexibility, wellbeing and long‑term career development