Private Client Lawyer

We are looking for an exceptional lawyer to join our busy and friendly team. Ideally you will have three to six years' PQE in a Private Client setting, although we may accept newly qualified lawyers with significant pre-qualification experience in this discipline. The ideal candidate will either have STEP membership or, with support from the firm, be willing to work towards it.

This is a full-time post for someone with the ability to manage a busy and varied caseload while demonstrating the aptitude to contribute to business development and be pro-active in participating in marketing initiatives. We would be willing to view applications on a part-time basis from candidates possessing an exemplary skill set and range of experience.

Our Legal 500 and Chambers ranked Life Team covers the full range of private client matters, including Wills, Inheritance Tax planning, Trusts, Probate, Powers of Attorney and Elderly Client matters. We pride ourselves on the quality of service provided to our fabulous client base and this is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills alongside forward-thinking colleagues.

Berwins is a rapidly growing regional law firm with offices across Yorkshire. We are open to discussing hybrid working arrangements, though the successful candidate would be expected to work a minimum of three days per week in either (or a combination of) the firms' Harrogate, Leeds or York offices, each of which is located centrally with good transport links.

• Be responsible for a broad range of private client matters including Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts, estate planning, estate administration and assisting senior solicitors on more complex estate administration and Trust cases;
• You will handle your own case-load, liaising with and assisting more senior lawyers as appropriate;
• Deliver legal services of outstanding quality that are focused on the client's needs with a quick and accurate turnaround of legal documents – complying with our service standards;
• Attend client meetings (after initial training), to advise them and draft relevant documents;
• Attend meetings with clients to oversee execution of documents;
• Provide pro-active support to senior solicitors on more complex cases;
• Carry out and manage Will reviews;
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by senior lawyers/Team Leader.

Knowledge and experience:

• Previous private client experience is essential;
• High level of IT skills is essential as the candidate will be expected to produce some of their own documents and use a case management system;
• Experience of time-recording and track-record of achieving targets;
• Full STEP membership, or willingness to undertake study to achieve this, would be an advantage;
• Full membership of Solicitors for the Elderly, or willingness to undertake study to achieve this, would be an advantage;

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Demonstrate care and empathy towards clients;
• Organised and methodical;
• Team player, with willingness to assist senior lawyers to help deliver a joint outcome;
• Highly organised with the ability to work to deadlines and to prioritise conflicting objectives;
• Able to deal appropriately with confidential information;
• Computer literate, with good research skills;
• Accurate, with good attention to detail;

Berwins is a rapidly growing Yorkshire law firm – details at www.berwin.co.uk; we are repeatedly ranked for the quality of our work in directories such as Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. Our core values are passion, care, ownership, teamwork and accessibility – and to make sure we're not just talking the talk we have our files audited against our benchmarks. We use the phrase which a client gave to us – no ordinary lawyers – as an aspiration against which to measure ourselves.

Berwins offers a range of benefits (post-probationary period) including flexi time, company pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, death in service benefit, health insurance, cycle to work scheme and optional reduced-cost parking scheme.

To apply please send your CV and covering letter to Derek Hellawell, Head of Life, at derekhellawell@berwins.co.uk.

Berwins welcomes applications from suitably qualified people regardless of age, race, ethnic or national origin, religion, marital status, disability or sexual orientation. All applications for employment are considered strictly on merit.