Private Client Solicitor in Chesham

We are seeking a Private Client Solicitor to join our client's busy, client-focused private client team. The successful candidate will manage a varied caseload of private client matters, deliver excellent client care, ensure compliance with regulatory and firm procedures, and contribute to efficient team workflows. This role offers professional development, exposure to a wide range of matters including estate administration, wills and trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate.

Key responsibilities:

• Act for private clients on estate administration and probate matters, advising executors and beneficiaries from initial instruction through to estate distribution, ensuring timely progression and clear communication throughout the process.
• Prepare, review and execute wills, codicils and testamentary documentation tailored to clients' circumstances, ensuring compliance with legal formalities and firm precedents.
• Advise on and prepare Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) and deputyship applications, support clients through registration with the Office of the Public Guardian and manage related ongoing matters.
• Provide guidance on trusts including settlor-interested and discretionary trusts, prepare trust deeds, and support trustees with administration and tax reporting obligations.
• Work with clients and advisers to deliver estate and tax planning advice, liaising with tax specialists where required to ensure appropriate, compliant solutions are implemented.
• Carry out client identity checks and support anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, maintaining robust audit trails and accurate, audit-ready files.
• Draft clear client correspondence, attendance notes and court documents where necessary, ensuring documents are accurate and consistent with firm precedents.
• Liaise with clients, family members, financial advisers, executors, the Probate Registry, HM Revenue & Customs and other third parties to obtain documentation, chase outstanding items and manage expectations professionally.
• Support billing, fee recovery and client account transactions in line with firm procedures and assist with matter budgeting and time recording to support profitability.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to streamline processes, update precedents and assist with the rollout of practice management technology and workflow enhancements.
• Provide support and supervision to junior team members, sharing knowledge of procedures and assisting with induction and training activities where required.

Key skills and experience required:

• Qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with experience in private client work within a law firm or legal practice, with demonstrable experience in estate administration, wills, LPAs and trusts.
• Good understanding of probate procedures, Trusts law, Office of the Public Guardian processes and basic estate and inheritance tax considerations.
• Experience of preparing wills, LPAs, trust documentation and probate applications, with strong drafting skills and attention to legal detail.
• Familiarity with AML and client identification requirements and experience maintaining audit-ready files and compliance documentation.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain attention to detail across multiple matters.
• Confident and professional communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to liaise effectively with clients, colleagues and external contacts.
• Proactive, reliable and solutions-focused with a willingness to develop technical knowledge, embrace new systems and support team improvements.

Other information:

Full training and ongoing support will be provided where required; opportunities for continuing professional development and career progression are available.