Mallory Pryce is a specialist recruitment consultancy for the UK property and legal sectors. With over 15 years of experience, we connect law firms and conveyancing practices with the talent they need to grow. We focus on quality over volume, matching candidate aspirations with business goals.
We are seeking a skilled Private Client Solicitor to join our established and well-regarded Private Client team. This permanent, full-time role is based in the Greater Manchester area with flexible hybrid working options available. The successful candidate will manage a varied private client caseload, provide high-quality technical and client-facing advice, and deliver excellent client service across wills, trusts, probate, lasting powers of attorney and estate administration matters.
One of the best things about this role is the opportunity and clear career pathway. This would suit a newly qualified solicitor very well.
Working pattern: Monday to Friday, hybrid working available.
Key responsibilities:
* Manage a varied private client caseload including wills, trusts, estate administration, probate applications, administration of estates, and court of protection work.
* Provide clear, practical legal advice to clients on estate planning, inheritance tax planning, the preparation and execution of wills, trust arrangements and lifetime planning tools.
* Draft, review and execute wills, trust deeds, lasting powers of attorney and other estate planning documents, ensuring accuracy and compliance with relevant legislation and firm procedures.
* Prepare probate applications (PA1P/PA1A), affidavits, inheritance tax forms, estate accounts and correspondence; liaise with HMRC, banks, executors, beneficiaries and other third parties to progress matters efficiently.
* Conduct detailed asset and title investigations, obtain valuations, identify liabilities and advise on practical steps for estate administration including distribution of assets and resolving entitlement issues.
* Act for clients in matters before the courts and third parties where required, including applications to the Probate Registry and Court of Protection work where applicable.
* Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic and paper file records, ensuring compliance with the firm’s risk, compliance and document retention policies and completing time recording and billing information in a timely manner.
* Liaise with professional advisers, financial institutions, tax authorities and other stakeholders to obtain required information and progress client matters.
* Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, client experience and risk controls within the team.
* Deliver exceptional client care by managing expectations, providing clear and sensitive updates and handling telephone and email enquiries professionally.
* Ensure adherence to Anti-Money Laundering, data protection and other regulatory obligations; carry out client onboarding and identity verification in line with firm procedures.
Key skills and experience required:
* Qualified solicitor (Ideally NQ - 2 YEARS PQE) with proven experience in private client work within a law firm or in-house environment, handling wills, trusts, probate and estate administration.
* Strong technical knowledge of wills, probate procedure, trusts, lasting powers of attorney, court of protection practice and inheritance tax matters.
* Experience preparing probate applications, estate accounts, inheritance tax returns and complex estate documentation with high attention to detail and accuracy.
* Comfortable managing a varied caseload, prioritising competing demands and meeting deadlines under pressure.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and sensitively to clients and other stakeholders.
* Proactive, collaborative and able to work independently as well as part of a team; demonstrable commitment to providing exceptional client care.
* Digital literacy, including experience with legal case management systems and Microsoft Office; familiarity with electronic filing and document management systems advantageous.
* Strong compliance awareness, including experience of AML checks, identity verification and maintaining confidentiality on sensitive matters.
Benefits and development:
* Competitive salary dependent on experience with clear opportunities for professional progression and increased responsibility within the team.
* Flexible hybrid working arrangements and a supportive, collaborative working culture.
* Support for training and professional development, including attendance at relevant courses, conferences and assistance with professional qualifications where applicable.
* Opportunities to work on a diverse range of private client matters and to develop broader technical and client management skills.