Private Client Solicitor

As part of the ZEDRA group, ZEDRA Legal Services (ZLS) is a Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regulated business. ZLS provides legal support to ZEDRA’s UK Trust Company (ZTC) on a solicitor/client basis. ZTC is a trust corporation and is appointed as professional trustee of over 2,000 trusts and as the executor of over 60,000 Wills as professional attorney for finance and property in numerous Enduring and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

As Senior Solicitor, you will support ZTC in its role as a professional fiduciary through the provision of legal advice and drafting. ZLS has a large probate team, which performs estate administration work for lay and professional Personal Representatives. You will support ZLS colleagues involved in estate administration through the provision of legal advice and drafting. ZLS also provides private client and estate planning services to a broad range of external private clients requiring lifetime tax planning and structuring, Wills, LPAs, Deeds of Variations and other private client services. They also work with key intermediaries who refer this work to us.

Key Accountabilities

• The main function of the role is as a fee earning member of the legal team charging either the internal ZEDRA companies for advice or drafting as well as supporting colleagues who act for individual clients referred to them through a network of intermediaries or through internal business development staff.
• The successful candidate will be part of a team that delivers a high-quality service to ZTC and non-ZEDRA private clients. They will be required to liaise directly with ZTC staff and will provide advice and guidance in relation to the legal aspects of trusts and estates in which ZTC is appointed as trustee or PR.
• The role holder will ensure they deliver on commitments to agreed deadlines and to a high standard for specific trust cases both in their own files and when supporting ZLS colleagues in their matters.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Drafting including Wills, LPAs, lifetime trusts, Deeds of Variation, Deeds of Trust and Gift, as well as advice in respect of the same.
• Provision of discreet pieces of advice in terms of lifetime planning.
• Answering technical queries from colleagues in ZLS’s estate administration team.
• Drafting documents to assist ZLS and ZTC in estate administration.
• Providing advice to ZTC in its capacity as trustee of a broad range of UK trusts, escrow agent, director and paying agent.
• Review of colleagues work to ensure accuracy.
• Assisting with the administration of non-standard assets.
• Dealing with queries arising from enduring powers of attorney and lasting power of attorney.
• Ensuring tax compliance, where required.

Knowledge and Experience

• The successful candidate will be a qualified lawyer 5+ years PQE working for a renowned trust and private client law or fiduciary firm.
• The successful candidate will have experience of advising private clients, trustees, settlors and beneficiaries in relation to trust and other fiduciary structures and the legal and tax regime in which they operate.
• Experience in will writing, estate administration, lasting and enduring powers of attorney and mental capacity issues is expected.
• The successful candidate must have a sound technical grounding but be capable of delivering work and advice in a commercial context.

Academic and Professional Qualifications

• The role holder will be a qualified lawyer of 5+ years in private client and trust law.
• Ideally the candidate will be a member of STEP or working towards it.