Apply now
1. Private Family Associate role with a clear route to heading up the department
2. No billing targets, no corporate pressure – service-first, values-led practice
3. Flexible working, with profit share and genuine autonomy
This is a genuinely rare opportunity for a Private Family Associate Solicitor to join a growing, values-driven firm in Preston, where client care comes before billings and lawyers are trusted to do the job properly.
You’ll step into a role with an existing private family caseload, supported by a highly experienced senior family lawyer, with the freedom to shape how the department develops over time.
The firm works with emotionally vulnerable clients and prioritises accessibility, empathy and reassurance, making this ideal for someone who wants meaningful work without the usual pressures of targets and corporate politics.
Who we’re looking for
4. Private Family Solicitor or Associate with solid experience in private family work
5. Confident handling financial remedy and private children matters
6. Comfortable running cases end-to-end and dealing with high-emotion clients
7. Ambitious and interested in shaping a department long-term
8. Values-led, down-to-earth and service-focused in approach
9. Some exposure to supervision or mentoring (Desired)
10. Interested in leadership without aggressive targets or BD pressure (Desired)
What you’ll be doing
11. Managing an existing caseload of private financial and children matters
12. Acting as the day-to-day lead within the family offering, with senior supervision available
13. Helping stabilise and shape the department following recent change
14. Supporting future recruitment and informal supervision as the team grows
15. Working closely with clients, often face-to-face, providing reassurance and clear guidance
16. Contributing ideas to improve processes, structure and client experience
There are no billing targets, no pressure to upsell, and no expectation to chase volume. The focus is on quality, care and sustainability.
Salary & Benefits
17. Highly competitive salary
18. Profit-share bonus, including the opportunity to share in departmental profits once established
19. Opportunity for progression to Head of Department
20. 30 hours per week initially, with flexibility to increase hours over time
21. Flexible hybrid working, typically 1–2 days per week in the office, driven by client needs
22. Christmas shutdown
23. On-site gym
24. Long-term job security within a growing, values-led firm
25. Genuine autonomy to shape the department without corporate interference
Contact Mel Samson
📩 mel.samson@realmrecruit.com
📞 03300 245 606
Mel specialises in private family roles across the North West and can give you an honest view on whether this opportunity is right, particularly if you’re looking for meaningful work, flexibility and a real leadership path without targets.