At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a senior solicitor with Wills, Probate, and Estate Planning matters.
- Company: Lexcel accredited legal practice with a strong reputation in East London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, profit share, flexible hours, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a friendly, dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and make a real impact in clients' lives.
- Qualifications: Minimum 2 years' experience in Private Client law and strong drafting skills.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 30000 £ per year.
Salary: £28,000 – £30,000+ DOE
Location: Romford/ East London
Specialist Work. Genuine Support. A Team That Actually Values You.
Our client is a multi-office, Lexcel accredited high street practice with a well-established reputation across East London and Essex. Their Private Client department handles a substantial and varied caseload — and they are now looking for an experienced Legal Assistant to support a senior solicitor and legal executive on a full range of Wills, Probate, LPA, Trust, and Estate Planning matters.
This is not a junior admin role. They want someone who knows their way around a Private Client caseload, can work with confidence and minimal supervision, and is ready to be a genuine contributor to a busy, specialist team.
If you have at least two years’ experience supporting within Private Client and you are looking for a role where your contribution is recognised including a share of your supervisor’s profit-related bonus — this is worth reading.
The Role
- Salary: £28,000 – £30,000+ (dependant on experience)
- Location: Romford, Essex (with occasional cover across Gidea Park and Collier Row offices)
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm (4-day week considered)
- Working Arrangements: Office-based; full-time preferred, part-time (4 days) accommodated
What You Will Be Doing
You will work directly alongside a senior legal advisor, providing hands-on support across a varied and interesting Private Client caseload. Day-to-day responsibilities will include:
- Drafting Wills and Trust documentation from a solicitor’s notes
- Preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) forms and submitting applications online via the OPG portal
- Probate and estate administration support, including online Grant of Probate applications
- Preparing and completing IHT forms including IHT205, IHT217, and IHT400
- Drafting general correspondence and legal documentation across the full Private Client spectrum
- Client-facing contact — building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and referrers
- Providing departmental cover across Romford, Gidea Park, and Collier Row offices when required
- Digital audio transcription and document production
What Our Client Is Looking For
Essential
- Minimum 2 years’ experience as a Legal Assistant within a Private Client, Wills & Probate department in a UK legal practice
- Proven ability to prepare LPA forms and Will drafts from solicitor notes
- Experience submitting LPA and Grant of Probate applications online
- Working knowledge of IHT forms (IHT205, IHT217, IHT400)
- Strong drafting skills across Wills, Trusts, Probate, and LPA documentation
- Excellent client-facing communication skills — confident, professional, and approachable
- Ability to work unsupervised with a well-organised, self-motivated approach
- Typing speed of 60 WPM and experience with digital audio transcription
- Ability to commute to all three office locations for cover purposes
Desirable
- Experience using LEAP case management software
- Familiarity with online probate and OPG submission portals
- A genuine interest in building long-term client and referrer relationships
What Is on Offer
- Salary: £28,000 – £30,000+ DOE
- Performance-Related Bonus: Discretionary annual bonus based on individual performance
- Profit Share: A direct share of the supervising legal advisor’s profit-related bonus
- Holiday Allowance: 5.6 weeks per annum inclusive of bank holidays (full time)
- Christmas Closure: Additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year
- Birthday Leave: One additional day’s leave for your birthday, after six months’ service
- Flexible Hours: 4-day working week considered for the right candidate
- Company Pension Scheme
- Employee Discount
- On-Site Parking
- Staff Social Events
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
- A Lexcel accredited practice — a mark of quality management and client care in law
- Work alongside specialists in their field within a firm with decades of local heritage
- Profit share directly tied to your supervisor’s performance — a genuinely motivating structure
- A friendly, enthusiastic team environment in a well-established high street practice
- Flexible working hours considered — rare at this level in a client-facing legal role
- Genuine variety across Wills, Probate, LPAs, Trusts, and Estate Planning, not a repetitive, single-task position
How to Apply
This role is being managed on a confidential basis by Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions Ltd. To be considered, or for a private, no-obligation conversation about the opportunity, please contact: David Hawthorne-Finch Managing Director, Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions Ltd Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com Phone: 0333 996 2882 Website: https://h-fts.com All applications and enquiries are treated in the strictest confidence.
Legal Assistant - Wills and Probate in Romford employer: Trades Workforce Solutions
Contact Detail:
Trades Workforce Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Assistant - Wills and Probate in Romford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, attend industry events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Legal Assistant role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of Wills and Probate. Be ready to discuss your experience with LPA forms and IHT documentation. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the one they need on their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your client-facing skills! Since this role involves building relationships, think of examples where you’ve successfully communicated with clients or handled tricky situations. Confidence is key, so let your personality shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way, so take advantage of our resources and tips to land that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Assistant - Wills and Probate in Romford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Legal Assistant role. Highlight your experience in Wills and Probate, and don’t forget to mention any specific software you’ve used, like LEAP. We want to see how your skills match what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about Private Client work and how your previous experience makes you a perfect fit. Keep it professional but let your personality come through — we love a bit of character!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves client-facing contact, make sure to demonstrate your excellent communication skills in your application. Whether it’s through your writing style or examples of past interactions, we want to see that you can build strong relationships with clients.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications better and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Trades Workforce Solutions
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Wills, Probate, and LPA forms. Familiarise yourself with the specific IHT forms mentioned in the job description, like IHT205 and IHT400. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed a Private Client caseload. Highlight your ability to draft legal documents and support estate administration. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and how you can contribute to the team.
✨Client Communication is Key
Since this role involves client-facing contact, practice articulating how you build and maintain relationships with clients. Think of specific instances where your communication skills made a difference. This will help you stand out as someone who can connect with clients effectively.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. They might ask how you would handle a specific case or client situation. Prepare by thinking through potential challenges you’ve faced and how you resolved them, showcasing your problem-solving skills.