Private Client Associate/Legal Director (Glasgow)

At Thorntons Law, every moment matters. Join our Private Client Team and you’ll feel inspired, connected, and like you belong. We’ve created a different kind of law firm where you’ll build lasting relationships with clients and colleagues. You’ll help shape what happens now and in the future, with our support to be the best you can be.

Build your future in a team that supports people at life’s most important moments. In this role, you’ll be a key member of our well-established and growing Private Client team, helping to shape and develop our Glasgow practice. You’ll advise individuals, families, and trustees on a wide range of personal and wealth-planning matters while playing an active role in leadership, growth, and innovation.

It’s About:

• Advising private clients with confidence and care – Providing expert advice on wills, estate and succession planning, inheritance tax, trusts, powers of attorney, and wealth management.
• Handling complex and high-value matters – estates, trusts, and tax planning work, delivering clear, practical, and empathetic advice.
• Building lasting client relationships – Becoming a trusted adviser to individuals, families, and trustees, with a strong focus on client care and long-term relationships.
• Driving further business growth – Contributing to the continued development of our Private Client practice in Glasgow and across the firm through business development and strategic thinking.
• Leadership and team development – Playing an active role in growing and supporting the team, mentoring colleagues, and helping shape the future of the department.
• Innovation and improvement – Helping to drive innovation by embracing new technologies and processes to enhance efficiency, service delivery, and client experience.
• Firm-wide collaboration – Working closely with colleagues across Thorntons’ Private Client team to deliver joined-up advice for clients.

What you’ll need:

• Significant experience as a general Private Client lawyer, with experience of complex estates, trusts, and wealth planning work an advantage.
• STEP qualification (or working towards it).
• The ability to lead matters independently and act as a trusted adviser to clients.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a client-focused, empathetic, and professional approach.
• A strategic mindset with an interest in business development and practice growth.
• Leadership capability, with the confidence to support, inspire, and develop others.
• An interest in innovation and a willingness to contribute to continuous improvement within the department.

Why join Thorntons:

• A culture that values people, collaboration, and integrity.
• One of Scotland’s largest and most respected full-service law firms, with over 165 years of heritage.
• A market-leading Scotland-wide Private Client practice that plays a critical role in the firm’s continued success and growth.
• The scale, strength, and resources of a national firm combined with genuine autonomy and the opportunity to shape your practice.
• A supportive environment where your contribution is recognised and your voice is heard.
• A firm committed to diversity, inclusion, and community engagement across Scotland.

We are open to appointing at Associate or Legal Director level, depending on experience, with genuine prospects for future progression.

Benefits:

• 39 Days Annual Leave (includes 5 fixed public holidays)
• Contributory Pension Scheme with salary exchange
• Private Medical Insurance
• Critical Illness Cover
• Income Protection Cover
• Group Life Assurance
• Exceptional maternity, paternity, partner, and adoption leave packages
• Assisted Conception & IVF Leave
• Health care cash plan to support everyday health expenses
• 24-hour wellbeing support
• Free Legal fees for moving home and life planning
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Gym Discounts
• Retail Discounts
• Professional development opportunities to build your expertise and advance your career.

At Thorntons, we embrace diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. As a Disability Confident employer, we want to ensure that everyone has a positive experience when applying to join us. If you have a disability or are neurodivergent and need any adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know.

We work flexibly to meet the needs of our clients and our people. While not every role is the same, most offer a hybrid working pattern. We’ll work with you to agree the right arrangement that supports you, the role, and our clients.

If you’re looking for a career with a different kind of law firm, this is the moment to find out more and apply. Choosing the right company is about more than just the work – it’s about the people, the culture, and the opportunities to grow. At Thorntons Law, we’ve built something different. We’re one of Scotland’s largest and most respected full-service legal firms, but more importantly, we’re a firm that invests in you – your development, your ambitions, and your future.

All you need to do is apply and we’ll be in touch.