Solicitor

Shakespeare Martineau is a law firm with big ambitions for both our clients and our people. We are one firm of original thinkers, inspired to create an outstanding future for our clients, our people and our community. 

Working with organisations of all sizes our team delivers a broad range of specialist legal services, and has particular expertise across sectors including but not limited to; energy, education, banking & financial services, investment funds and advanced manufacturing.  

Our vision is to be the outstanding legal force in our specialist sectors and markets. Our people are renowned for their flair and individuality.  We recruit people who have a blend of excellent technical and business skills with the talent to do things differently.

We firmly believe that people and spirit are at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment is to help all our people fulfil their careers and ambitions and we strive to create an environment where each individual can understand and then achieve their full potential. Great performance for us is a blend of excellent technical and business skills and the talent and drive to do things differently.

Our highly skilled and experienced Private Capital group provide a wide range of services and advice empowering families to define their unique long-term goals and legacy. We undertake various Family and Private client work at all levels and across many sectors.

Our highly skilled and experienced Private Client Team, including 13 members of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), provide a wide range of services and advice empowering families to define their unique long-term goals and legacy. We offer advice on the following areas of Private Client law: Capital Tax planning including advising on the most appropriate structures via Wills, Trusts & Family Investment Companie, the creation and administration of Trusts including tax compliance,  accounting services and professional Trusteeship, administration of estates  (simple to complex), Lasting Powers of Attorney and  Court of Protection work, the creation and administration of Charitable Foundations  and personal tax advice and compliance. Our clients’ profiles consist of family business owners, landed estates, newly acquired wealth, private individuals with inherited wealth and their families and Trustees of substantial trusts.

The role:

The successful candidate will manage their own caseload of files and assist the partners with the delivery of high quality legal services to clients on a broad range of private client work.

Your key duties will be:

• will drafting
• estate administration, to include experience of completing inheritance tax returns and income tax, & Capital Gains Tax Returns and accounting
• dealing with trust matters, including drafting trust documentation for establishment and management
• trust administration, including dealing with ongoing accounting and taxation matters
• dealing with court of protection applications
• dealing with powers of attorney
• handling own caseload of all private client matters with guidance and supervision from your partner, as required
• providing general support to your partner in developing the private client offering
• assisting in the promotion of the private client practice with both clients and referrer contacts  

Skills and experience you will have:

• a minimum of 4 years’ experience in a comparable private client legal environment
• previous experience in private client work must include estate administration, lasting powers of attorney and wills
• technical expertise

Key competencies you will need:

• good attention to detail and accuracy
• a demonstrable commitment to exceptional client service
• the ability to prioritise your workload
• strong IT skills and fast, accurate typing ability
• drive, enthusiasm, commitment and a team player approach

Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.