Job Title: Private Client Fee Earner
Location: Epsom
Reports to: Michael Calfe and Matthew Bell
Department: Private Client
Personal Attributes:
* A proactive approach to team development and client care.
* High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards.
* Excellent organisational and time-management skills to handle a busy and varied workload.
* Ability to work under pressure, managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
* A client-oriented mindset, with a strong desire to build and maintain high-quality client relationships.
Key Responsibilities:
* Client Relationship Management:
o Manage and grow a portfolio of individuals, offering tailored legal advice and services.
o Advise clients on a wide range of matters, including estate planning, trusts, tax planning, succession planning, wills, and probate.
o Build and maintain long-term relationships with clients, becoming their trusted advisor on personal legal matters.
o Act as the main point of contact for clients, ensuring their needs are met and their expectations exceeded.
* Business Development and Marketing:
o Develop strategies for attracting new private client business, both from new clients and referrals.
o Represent the firm at networking events, conferences, and seminars to raise the firms profile and attract potential clients.
o Build strong relationships with external professionals, such as accountants, financial advisors, and tax specialists, to provide integrated services to clients.
o Contribute to the marketing and business development efforts of the firm by writing articles, hosting events, or engaging in client-facing initiatives.
* Legal Expertise and Service Delivery:
o Provide expert legal advice on a broad spectrum of private client issues, including estate and succession planning, tax planning, trust formation, and administration.
o Supervise the drafting of complex wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other legal documents.
o Oversee the administration of estates, including probate matters, and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
o Keep up-to-date with changes in legislation, tax rules, and legal trends that affect private client services.
* Risk and Compliance:
o Ensure that the private client team complies with all legal and regulatory requirements, including anti-money laundering (AML), know-your-client (KYC), and data protection laws.
o Manage risk within the department, ensuring that all matters are handled with due diligence and in line with the firms risk management framework.
o Conduct regular reviews of ongoing matters to ensure they comply with legal and regulatory standards.
* Financial Management:
o Oversee the financial performance of the private client department, including billing and pricing strategies.
o Ensure that services are delivered efficiently, optimising fee structures and cost management.
o Monitor and manage the profitability of client relationships, ensuring that work is billed accurately and promptly.
* Client Advocacy and Representation:
o Represent clients in disputes or negotiations relating to their private matters, including disputes over estates, trusts, or family wealth.
o Advise on litigation or contentious issues, particularly in relation to representing the firm itself, collaborating with other departments in the firm when needed.
Skills and Qualifications:
* Education: Qualified solicitor (law degree or equivalent) and member of the relevant professional body (e.g., Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
* Experience: 4+ PQE in private client law, including expertise in estate planning, tax, trust administration, and wills and probate.
* Leadership: Proven experience within a private client team, with strong people skills.
* Client-Focused: Strong interpersonal skills and a track record of building and maintaining long-term client relationships.
* Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of tax planning, estate administration, wills, and trusts law, with a detailed understanding of relevant regulations.
* Business Acumen: Experience in business development, client acquisition, and marketing within a legal practice.
* Regulatory Knowledge: A strong understanding of compliance and regulatory frameworks in relation to private client matters (AML, KYC, GDPR).
* Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex legal concepts in a clear, concise manner to clients.
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