Private Client Solicitor / Legal Executive

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Private Client Solicitor or Legal Executive to join the highly rated Private Client department based in our Grimsby office.

Wilkin Chapman LLP is the largest law firm in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire, providing a wide range of legal services to both businesses and individuals. The Firm regularly achieves department and individual recommendations in the UK's leading legal directories and is ranked 106 in the top 200 UK law firms by turnover.

The specialist team has over 100 years' collective experience of private client matters. They take pride in being trusted advisers, providing comprehensive and pragmatic advice on a day to day basis.

The team represents a wide range of clients, with particular expertise in providing advice to farming families, business owners, lottery winners and people with disabilities/and their carers. The day to day work covers all aspects of estate planning, with particular reference to family succession, asset protection, tax mitigation and mental capacity.

The team work closely with their business division colleagues to develop the Firm’s client base and obtain further specialist support is needed to continue to build on the growth of the department.

The role will be responsible for advising and supporting individuals and families on a range of private client issues.  You will have be able to develop a high quality and but varied caseload and will work closely with the firm’s Partners in all departments and team members both in Grimsby and at the firm’s other offices.

This role will suit a Solicitor or Legal Executive who is looking to make a valued contribution within an established team and Firm, with an ability to support and mentor more junior members of the team.   

Applicants will need to demonstrate knowledge and experience in advising clients on a range of matters including Wills, Estate and Trust Administration, Powers of Attorney and Deputyship Applications, in addition to succession planning, with a focus on inheritance tax and business continuity.

• Conducting all matters in the client's best interest and in accordance with the highest professional standards and applicable "quality" standards at all times.
• Maintaining files in a neat and orderly manner and ensure that each file is reviewed and recorded as having been reviewed against the computer printout supplied by the Accounts Department every month.
• Maintaining time recording on client matters and non-matter activities on a daily basis.
• Regularly updating clients as to the current progress of their case.
• Dealing with routine and difficult enquiries from telephone callers and clients effectively and efficiently and ensure that all client complaints are dealt with both professionally and promptly to the complete satisfaction of the client.
• Ensure quality of work produced by ‘support staff' is to the highest standard.
• Understanding the obligations relating to client accounts and ensure the preparation and service of bills comply with the Solicitors Accounts Rules.
• Achieving financial targets agreed with the Department Head or Branch Partner.
• Keeping up to date with case law/good practice guidance and apply as appropriate.
• Ensuring compliance with Law Society Training Regulations.
• Participating in/contributing to business development and networking activities.

• Possession of the STEP qualification or working towards it or an ability to demonstrate technical skills and experience equivalent to the STEP qualification and a willingness to undertake the qualification.

Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate:

• Excellent teamworking and technical ability;
• A positive and proactive approach to tasks;
• Effective client relationship skills;
• Ability to adopt a practical as well as legal approach to client issues;
• Ability to business develop and network;
• Excellent IT skills;
• Understanding and adoption of the Firm’s values and behaviours. 

Wilkin Chapman is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived differences.  We are an armed forces friendly employer.

Our Values

All that we do is shaped by our five values: Service, Teamwork, Approachability, Innovation and Commitment to achieving results. These values are the bedrock of Wilkin Chapman, they define who and what we are - they underpin everything that we do. For more information on our values, please click here.

If you have any queries regarding this position, please contact recruitment@wilkinchapman.co.uk.