Private Client (Agriculture) - Legal Director
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 which 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, working in conjunction with our agricultural property team on partnership and shareholders’ agreements, preparing Balfour type reviews of businesses to ascertain the trading status of the client’s business and advising on ways in which this can be improved, drafting wills, letters of wishes and powers of attorney including business 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, 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.
* Support 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 – including the production of Trust and Estate Accounts and Tax Returns, with particular experience advising and supporting clients from an agricultural background.
* Developed a particular strength and reputation in your work area demonstrating technical excellence and commercial awareness with 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 willing to work closely with other team members at all levels.
* A demonstrable track record of managing assigned tasks in an assertive, efficient and timely manner with excellent attention to detail.
* Ability to multitask and keep calm under pressure.
* Ability to use initiative and be a forward-planner, anticipating the needs of your clients and colleagues wherever possible.
* STEP qualified or currently studying for it; if not, support will be provided towards qualification and membership.
* A full clean driving licence is required.
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, after all, we value what you do, not where you do it.
We have hubs in Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leicester, London, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Solihull, Stratford-upon-Avon, Lincoln and Sheffield.
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 a diverse range of 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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