Apply for the Contentious Probate Solicitor role at DMH Stallard LLP.
Job Information
* Location: Brighton, Horsham or Guildford
* Closing date: 30/11/2025
* PQE: 2-5 years
* Term type: Permanent
* Working hours: 9.15 – 5.15
* Department: Dispute Resolution
DMH Stallard provides a comprehensive range of commercial, dispute resolution and litigation, employment, cyber security and cyber‑crime, corporate, intellectual property, real‑estate and technology, media and telecoms advice to both businesses and individuals. Our clients, people and professional networks are the keys to our success. With offices in London and across the region, including Brighton, Gatwick, Guildford, Horsham and Hassocks, we are proud to have grown to around 380 people.
Culture really matters to us. In our most recent staff survey, 99.6 % of our people said DMH is a great place to work, 90 % feel they have a strong work‑life balance and 93.9 % express confidence in the leadership team.
We are committed to building an inclusive and supportive workplace. Our Women in Law group meets quarterly, and we are actively working toward gender balance at all levels. We already exceed the industry average, with 40 % of our partners being women compared to the sector average of 29 %.
We invest in learning and development at all career stages. Our mentoring programme is available to all partners, and we are preparing to launch an internal mentoring programme to support progression to partnership. We also recognise that work‑life balance is essential to long‑term success and wellbeing, and we promote hybrid working arrangements to help our people perform at their best inside and outside of work.
We are proud to have achieved gold accreditation from Investors in People, reflecting our strong commitment to people development and leadership.
Job Purpose
* We are looking for a Contentious Probate Associate Solicitor (2‑5 years PQE) to join the Regional Dispute Resolution Group, based in Brighton, Horsham or Guildford.
* The individual is expected to develop good working relationships with clients and other team members.
* The successful candidate will undertake a variety of contentious trusts and probate work, including inheritance act claims, Executor/Trustee disputes, breach of trust claims, validity of Will challenges, claims relating to breach of Executor duties and other private wealth disputes.
* To be responsible under supervision for own caseload of work and own fee targets, but also to assist where called upon to work with other members of the Group.
* To achieve the targets defined by the Head of Department, including targets for billing, matter‑related time recording and fees.
Responsibilities and Duties
* Promote the vision and culture of the firm.
* Continuously develop technical expertise.
* Lead projects or initiatives when appropriate.
* Coach junior team members, leading by example to ensure a consistent client care approach.
* Supervise team members assisting on projects or matters.
* Share knowledge and experience with other members of the group, informally and through formal training if required.
* Be responsible for dealing with client matters on a day‑to‑day basis, ensuring effective progress, meeting time limits, maintaining files in good order and following the firm’s systems and procedures.
* Support the team and, as appropriate, the wider department in fee‑earning, business development and administration.
* Achieve key financial targets, including fees, contributions and payment of debts and disbursements.
* Monitor performance relative to live files, file closures, openings, billing, time recording and take appropriate action to meet targets.
* Maintain accurate information on Case Manager and the Intranet.
* Scope matters appropriately, including use of budget templates, delivering work on time and on budget.
* Engage in business development activities operated by the Group and develop an understanding of the market and charging models.
* Attend seminars and other events as required for business development, presenting when appropriate.
* Maintain awareness of the legal market specifically relating to dispute resolution.
* Understand the strategic and commercial issues affecting the team and group performance.
* Contribute to business development initiatives by gathering marketing information on clients and prospects, supporting seminars, writing articles, helping gather information for pitches and reading appropriate trade papers.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required
* Prior experience dealing with contentious trusts and probate matters.
* Good understanding of the Civil Procedure Rules.
* A commercial, pragmatic and not overly academic approach – equally important as technical ability.
* Previous experience working closely with clients and acting as their legal advisor.
* Experience of managing and developing client relationships.
* Willingness to contribute to business development preferred.
* Understanding the importance of client care and ability to handle a wide range of clients with differing objectives.
* Effective time management to meet client and internal deadlines.
* Ability to work within a team and delegate tasks as appropriate.
* Confident Excel skills sufficient for reviewing relevant matters.
* Competent IT skills – Outlook, Word, Digital Dictation and Aderant/iManage.
* Ability to draft documentation with attention to detail.
* Understanding of the strategy and vision of the firm.
Benefits
* 25 days holiday (including 3.5 taken during the Christmas period), plus birthday holiday and bank holidays.
* Holiday buying scheme.
* Enhanced maternity/paternity pay.
* Life assurance.
* Private healthcare.
* Employee assistance programme.
* Sodexo discounts.
* Pension scheme.
* Interest‑free season ticket loans.
* Cycle to work scheme.
* Discounts on legal work.
#J-18808-Ljbffr