Partner & Head of Wills, Trusts & Estates Disputes - Bristol - Up to £130,000 - Legal 500 & Chambers

Partner – Head of Wills, Trusts & Estates Disputes (Contentious Probate)

Salary: Up to £130,000 + Bonus + Excellent Benefits

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Contentious Probate Partner, or an ambitious Legal Director / Senior Associate ready to step into Partnership, to lead and shape the future of a nationally recognised Wills, Trusts & Estates Disputes practice within an award-winning Legal 500 law firm.

This is far more than a traditional Partner appointment, but rather an opportunity to become the driving force behind a specialist practice, with the autonomy, investment and support to build something truly exceptional.

Recognised in both the Legal 500 and Chambers High Net Worth Guide, the firm's Private Client offering enjoys an outstanding reputation for advising high-net-worth individuals, families, trustees and executors on complex and often high-value disputes.

Supported by a strong national presence and international offices in Europe, the team regularly advises on sophisticated cross-border matters rarely found outside the UK's leading private wealth practices.

The Opportunity:

You will take responsibility for leading and developing the firm's national Wills, Trusts & Estates Disputes offering, working alongside an established and highly regarded Private Client department that generates significant internal referrals.

The role offers true autonomy to shape the direction of the practice, mentor and develop lawyers, and play a key role in the firm's continued strategic growth.

You would advise on a broad range of complex contentious probate matters, including:

• Inheritance Act claims


• Will validity disputes, including capacity and undue influence


• Trust and trustee disputes


• Executor and personal representative disputes


• Proprietary estoppel claims


• Court of Protection litigation


• Construction and rectification claims


• Complex domestic and international estate disputes

Alongside an excellent existing client base, you will be encouraged and supported in further developing your own practice, with access to market-leading business development resources, including sophisticated CRM and client relationship technology, dedicated marketing support and an established referral network across the wider firm.

What the Firm Offers:

This represents a rare opportunity to become the figurehead of a nationally recognised specialist practice within a progressive, people-focused firm that continues to invest heavily in its Private Client offering.

You would be entitled to:

• Salary up to £130,000, dependent on experience, billings and business development credentials


• Discretionary individual and team bonus scheme


• Hybrid working (two days working from home following probation)


• 30 days' annual leave plus bank holidays


• Birthday leave, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve leave


• Private healthcare


• Enhanced matched pension contributions


• Genuine autonomy to build and lead a national specialist practice


• High-net-worth, complex and often multi-jurisdictional work


• Clear strategic investment in the growth of the department

Ideal Pre-Requisites:

Applications are welcomed from experienced Contentious Probate Partners or senior lawyers with approximately 10+ years' PQE who can demonstrate:

• Substantial expertise in Wills, Trusts & Estates Disputes


• Strong reputation within the market


• Business development capability and commercial awareness


• Experience supervising and developing lawyers


• Ambition to lead and grow a HNW specialist practice

A following would be advantageous but is by no means essential; candidates with a proven billing history, strong referral relationships and genuine leadership ambitions are especially encouraged to apply.

If you are looking for a Partnership opportunity wherein to steer the future direction of a specialist practice while advising on market-leading work, this role offers an outstanding platform to do so.