Senior Associate – Private Client (Future Head of Department)
Salary: £70,000–£90,000 + Bonus
Location: Harrow (Hybrid)
Step into a senior Private Client role with a clear route to leading the department, in a stable, well-regarded firm with a strong local reputation and quality work.
The opportunity
If you’re a Private Client solicitor who enjoys building trusted client relationships and wants more than “just another caseload”, this is a rare chance to join our client in the Harrow area at Senior Associate level, with genuine scope to progress into a Head of Department position.
You’ll take on a varied, high-quality Private Client workload, with the autonomy to shape how the team operates, develop junior colleagues, and play a visible role in the department’s growth.
The role: what you’ll be doing
You’ll manage a broad Private Client caseload, with a focus on high standards of client care and technical accuracy, including:
* Wills (including complex wills)
* Probate and estate administration
* Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)
* Trusts and trust administration
* Inheritance Tax (IHT) and estate planning
* Advising a loyal client base including HNW elements (where applicable)
Progression: why this role is different
This isn’t a “title-only” Senior Associate position. The firm is open to the right person stepping into a department leadership pathway, including:
* Clear route to Head of Private Client (for the right hire)
* Opportunity to mentor and develop junior fee earners
* Input into process improvement, precedents and client journey
* Scope to support business development in a way that feels natural and relationship-led
Requirements
To be considered, you should have:
* 5+ years’ PQE as a Private Client Solicitor (or equivalent experience)
* UK practice experience handling Private Client matters end-to-end
* Strong technical grounding across wills, probate, LPAs, trusts and IHT planning
* Confidence running files with minimal supervision and delivering excellent client care
* A collaborative approach and interest in supporting team development
Desirable (not essential):
* STEP qualification (or working towards STEP)
* Experience supervising, mentoring, or informally leading others
* Exposure to HNW clients, complex estates, or trust work
Location & working arrangement
* Harrow area (North West London)
* Hybrid working available (details to be confirmed based on team needs and seniority)
* Full-time preferred, with flexibility discussed for the right person
Salary & benefits
* Salary: £70,000–£90,000 (depending on PQE, technical strength and leadership potential)
* Bonus (where applicable)
* Hybrid working
* Generous annual leave (plus bank holidays)
* Pension scheme
* Support for professional development (including STEP support where relevant)
* Clear progression framework and the chance to shape a growing department
* A firm culture that values quality, stability and long‑term client relationships
Apply / enquire (confidential)
If you’re interested, send your CV or a brief note outlining your current situation to:
David Hawthorne‑Finch
d.hawthorne‑finch@h-fts.com
If you’d prefer, you can also reach out for a confidential chat first I’m happy to talk through the firm, the work, and the progression route before you commit to an application.
Confidentiality statement: All applications and enquiries will be handled in strict confidence.
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