Senior Associate Solicitor in Cradley Heath

Location: Offices in West Midlands

Salary: Attractive package

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Hybrid Working: Available

Benefits:

• Attractive salary and overall package, dependent on experience.
• Genuine Partnership prospects for the right individual.
• Hybrid working with flexibility across three office locations.
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, together with additional ex gratia leave over the Christmas period.
• Group Personal Pension Scheme with Royal London, currently offering 3% employer and 5% employee contributions, increasing to 5% employer and 5% employee after five years' service.
• Private Healthcare with Aviva upon successful completion of probation, fully funded by the firm.
• Death in Service benefit of four times annual salary from your first day of employment, fully funded by the firm.
• Health Cash Plan from your first day of employment, fully funded by the firm.

Opportunity to lead and shape an established Contentious Probate practice. Strong pipeline of high-value, complex contentious probate work. Support from Band 1 ranked Private Client and Litigation teams. Genuine autonomy to influence the strategic direction of the department. Long-term career progression within a highly respected Legal 500 and Chambers-ranked firm.

About This Firm:

They are a highly regarded Midlands law firm with offices across the region and a reputation for delivering clear, practical advice backed by strong technical expertise. The firm is recognised as a Band 1 firm in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide for Private Client work, while its wider Litigation team is ranked Band 1 in the Legal 500. Combining the quality of work and technical strength often associated with larger national firms, they have retained the collegiate culture and approachability of a leading regional practice. The firm prides itself on long-term relationships, exceptional client service and providing a supportive environment where talented lawyers are encouraged to develop and thrive.

The Opportunity:

Due to continued growth, the firm is seeking an experienced Contentious Probate practitioner to lead and further develop its existing team. This represents a genuine leadership opportunity for either an established Partner or an ambitious Senior Associate looking to step into partnership in the near future. The successful individual will inherit an existing and growing caseload, supported by a highly regarded Private Client team and an outstanding wider Litigation practice. There is significant scope to shape the future direction of the team and play a central role in the continued expansion of the practice. You will have the autonomy to influence strategy and build upon an already strong reputation, whilst benefiting from the support and collaboration of a Band 1-ranked litigation team consisting of:

• Two Partners
• Three Senior Associates
• One Solicitor
• One Paralegal
• One Trainee

The team regularly acts on complex and high-profile disputes, including matters that attract national press attention and are reported in the law reports.

The Role:

The successful candidate will:

• Lead and develop the firm's Contentious Probate offering.
• Manage a varied and high-value caseload of contentious probate and trust disputes.
• Handle matters involving complex estates and inheritance disputes.
• Advise clients on claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
• Deal with challenges to the validity of wills, proprietary estoppel claims and disputes involving trusts and estates.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and professional referrers.
• Mentor and develop junior colleagues.
• Work closely with the wider Litigation and Private Client teams.
• Contribute to the continued growth and strategic direction of the department.
• Play an active role in business development and networking activities.

Candidate Requirements:

To be considered, you will ideally have:

• 6 years' PQE within Contentious Probate and Trusts disputes.
• Experience handling high-value and complex cases.
• The ability to manage matters independently with strong commercial judgement.
• Experience supervising, mentoring and developing junior lawyers.
• Strong client relationship and business development skills.
• A proven track record of generating and maintaining work.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• Ambitions for leadership and, where appropriate, partnership.

Applications are welcomed from existing Partners, Legal Directors, Principal Associates and Senior Associates seeking a clear pathway to partnership.

Why Join?

• Band 1 ranked Private Client team in Chambers High Net Worth.
• Band 1 ranked Litigation team in the Legal 500.
• High quality and complex work.
• Strong pipeline of existing contentious probate matters.
• Genuine opportunity to shape and lead the practice.
• Partnership prospects.
• Flexible office location across the West Midlands.
• Hybrid working options.
• Support from an experienced and collaborative litigation team.
• Friendly and collegiate culture.
• Long-term growth strategy and strong market reputation.

Career Prospects:

This is far more than a replacement hire. It represents an opportunity to become the driving force behind an established and growing Contentious Probate practice, supported by one of the strongest Private Client and Litigation platforms in the Midlands. For the right individual, this role offers the chance to build something meaningful, develop a team around them and progress into a senior leadership position within a highly respected firm.

Apply:

For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please get in touch.