Legal Director - Private Client (Agriculture)
Application Deadline: 24 November 2024
Department: Life and Business - Wealth - Private Client - Private Client - 1302
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Stratford upon Avon
Reporting To: Hannah Tait
Description
We have a fabulous opportunity for an experienced and highly motivated Private Client Legal Director (Solicitor or FCILEx with a minimum of 5+ years PQE) to join a friendly and professional team. This is a niche role, and we’re seeking specialists who have experience working within the Agricultural sector. We require a passionate and technical operator with a wealth of experience advising farming clients on succession planning, taxation issues, wills and powers of attorney as well as dealing with the administration of estates of deceased farmers.
We can offer you:
* A culture of trust and empowerment with responsibility and autonomy over your work and the freedom to manage when and how you do it.
* The support and encouragement of a great team behind you and friendly colleagues who all want to help you thrive.
* A competitive remuneration package with great benefits.
Our wider Private Client team, whom you’ll be working closely with, many of whom are STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), provide a wide range of services and advice empowering families to define their unique long-term goals and legacy.
The team undertakes high quality, high profile and complex work – there is opportunity to help shape the direction of the team moving forwards and supervision of a junior team of lawyers will be a considerable element to the role.
What you will be doing:
* Provide high-quality private client advice to all clients particularly those in the agricultural industry to include advising on inheritance tax and succession planning, preparing Balfour type reviews of businesses, drafting wills, letters of wishes and powers of attorney, and administering deceased farmers’ estates.
* Develop and maintain good client relationship skills, gaining clients’ confidence and that of other professionals.
* As a senior member of the team, you will help to supervise and mentor a team of Solicitors.
* Participate in the growth and development of the department/firm by attracting additional business from new and existing clients.
* Undertake legal research to ensure accuracy of advice and procedures.
* Supporting internal procedures and systems including file/case management and time recording.
* Demonstrate technical expertise and competence across a sufficiently wide area.
* Willing and able to work without significant supervision.
* The flexibility to work outside normal office hours may be required from time-to-time.
What you will need:
* A solid background in all areas of private client work, particularly experience advising clients from an agricultural background.
* Developed a particular strength and reputation in your work area demonstrating technical excellence and strong business development skills.
* An awareness of current issues affecting the agricultural industry.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* A self-starter, able to demonstrate high levels of initiative and motivation, while also willing to work closely with other team members.
* A demonstrable track record of managing assigned tasks efficiently and timely with excellent attention to detail.
* Ability to multitask and remain calm under pressure.
* Ability to anticipate the needs of your clients and colleagues.
* STEP qualification or currently studying for it is preferred; we can support you in working towards qualification and membership.
* A full clean driving licence is required due to travel requirements.
Benefits, Agile Working and Additional information
We embrace agile working and offer a blended approach to where and how we work. We appreciate that people have different needs and preferences, and we’re keen to be flexible.
We have hubs in Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leicester, London, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Solihull, Stratford-upon-Avon, Lincoln and Sheffield.
Additional information: Please be aware, for some vacancies, where we receive high numbers of applications, we may need to bring the close date forward.
Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. Details of the checks can be found here.
Equal opportunities
Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences.
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