Associate or Principal Associate

Weightmans is a Top 45 law firm with offices throughout the UK. Having been recognised as the leading legal employer at the annual Britain's Top Employers awards 2019 and achieved record rankings in Chambers UK, we are immensely proud of the work we carry out for our clients and the culture we provide to our people.

Our Wills, Tax, Trusts and Probate team was recognised as a 'superior' team in Legal 500, 2011 edition, reflecting our enviable reputation for advising clients on all their personal legal needs. We are proud to provide a personal, transparent and efficient service by a team which includes fully qualified members of STEP (The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) as well as members of Solicitors for the Elderly. Understanding the importance of careful estate planning to help provide for future generations, we offer lifetime and post-death planning to a diverse range of clients.

The Leeds team is ranked in the Legal 500 with the following commentary:

“Weightmans has invested heavily in its wills, trusts and estates team and is now developing a private client department in Leeds. Backed by the firm’s national presence – and drawing on the support of its well-established corporate and employment departments – associate David Stokes has put together a fresh team of four lawyers based in Leeds. The practice benefits from a significant referral network and provides advice on wills, succession planning and lifetime trusts for business owners.”

You will be responsible for the leadership and supervision of the Leeds team and furthering the development of junior colleagues.  You will work closely with the head of department and team manager to grow the team and ensure excellent client service.  You will work closely with the Sector Lead for the North in promoting the firm and its services with intermediaries and assist with developing relationships with the existing network of intermediaries and with new contacts.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Manage own caseload of private client work, including high value/complex probate work and estate planning for high net worth individuals
• Assist other case handlers in the team and wider department with their cases as may be required
• Supervise and develop the skills of other team members
• Advise and take instructions from clients in relation to their financial affairs
• Travel to and attend upon clients
• Prepare and file various correspondence, notes and documentation
• Assist with marketing the services of the team and wider department
• Achieve set financial and chargeable targetsKPIs
• Ensure relevant deadlines and quality measures are adhered to
• Comply with relevant Weightmans client policies and procedures
• Work in accordance with Weightmans’ values

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and you will be expected to perform other duties and have other responsibilities that fall within the wider remit of the role.

Person specification

• Qualified solicitor
• Keen interest and vast experience in all aspects of private client law, but particularly high value/complex probatework and estate planning for high net worth individuals
• STEP qualified
• Business development skills and experience – an existing network of contacts would be highly advantageous
• Excellent IT skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent time management and organisation skills
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise
• Ability to work to strict deadlines and targets
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
• Flexible approach

Please note:

• Any reference to experience or PQE in our adverts or job descriptions is to be used as a guideline only. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and with different levels of experience who can demonstrate that they fulfil the requirements of the role.

• The successful candidate appointed to this role will be subject to our standard background checking process, and any offer of employment made is conditional upon successful completion of those checks. Further details can be obtained from the Recruitment team.