Senior Private Client Lawyer (Solicitor/CILEx)

An established and growing legal practice is seeking a senior private client lawyer to take a key role within its Private Client team. Applications are equally welcomed from experienced solicitors and Chartered Legal Executives (CILEx lawyers) with strong private client expertise. This is a senior appointment offering the opportunity to combine high‑level technical work with team leadership and involvement in the strategic development of the department.

The Role

• You will manage a varied and high-quality caseload of complex private client matters while supervising and supporting a team of between 2 and 5 qualified fee earners.
• The role calls for a confident, technically strong and commercially aware lawyer who enjoys developing people, building client relationships and contributing to long‑term departmental growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Handling a broad range of private client work including wills, LPAs, probate and estate administration, trusts, estate planning and, where relevant, Court of Protection matters.
• Advising a diverse client base, including high‑net‑worth individuals, families, and elderly or vulnerable clients, with professionalism, empathy and sound judgement.
• Managing complex and high‑value estates, including multi‑generational and inheritance tax planning matters.
• Maintaining and developing strong relationships with clients, referrers and third parties such as accountants, financial advisers, HMRC and the Probate Registry.
• Working autonomously on your own matters while collaborating closely with colleagues across the team.
• Supervising, mentoring and developing junior lawyers and support staff, fostering a supportive and high‑performing team culture.
• Monitoring financial performance of matters, including billing, WIP and KPI targets, and encouraging commercial awareness within the team.
• Playing an active role in business development, networking and building your own client following.
• Ensuring compliance with all regulatory and professional standards.
• Acting as a positive role model and championing the firm’s values across the department.

About You

• A qualified solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx) with around 5+ years’ post‑qualification experience in private client work.
• Strong technical knowledge of wills, probate, trusts, LPAs and inheritance tax planning.
• Proven experience of advising on complex private client matters, including HNW estates.
• Previous experience supervising or mentoring others is essential.
• STEP qualification, or working towards STEP, is desirable but not essential.
• Confident drafting, communication and organisational skills.
• Comfortable using case management systems (experience with Mattersphere is advantageous but not required).

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent client‑care skills, with particular sensitivity when working with elderly or vulnerable clients.
• Strong attention to detail and sound problem‑solving ability.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload independently and prioritise effectively.
• A collaborative and supportive working style.
• Commercial awareness and enthusiasm for business development and profile‑building.
• A genuine commitment to developing junior colleagues and contributing to a positive team environment.

What’s on Offer

• Salary of £60,000 – £80,000 depending on experience, expertise and PQE.
• Hybrid working arrangement split between Worthing and Hove.
• Clear career progression, including the opportunity to take on greater leadership and specialist responsibilities.
• Support for ongoing professional development, including STEP and CPD.
• A flexible, supportive and modern working environment with a strong team ethos.