A prestigious law firm, renowned for its dedication to building strong client relationships and upholding integrity, is looking for an experienced solicitor to lead their thriving Wills, Trusts, and Probate department.
As the Head of Wills, Trusts, and Probate, you will be pivotal in guiding the department's growth and direction. The emphasis is on leadership and team development, rather than fee-earning, as you will inspire and manage an established team. Your leadership skills will be key to driving the team’s success.
If you're seeking a leadership role where your contributions will make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.
Benefits:
- Highly competitive salary aligned with experience and industry standards.
- Generous bonus scheme linked to performance and team success.
- Comprehensive benefits package including health and wellness programs.
- Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
- Opportunities for career progression within a well-established, growing firm.
- Ongoing professional development and access to training resources.
- Supportive team environment with a strong focus on collaboration and leadership.
- Exclusive networking opportunities with industry leaders and clients.
- Generous holiday entitlement with additional days based on tenure.
- Employee wellbeing initiatives such as wellness programs and mental health support.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the Wills, Trusts, and Probate team, ensuring the delivery of well-organised, client-centric, cost-efficient, and effective services.
- Oversee the recruitment, selection, training, development, motivation, and management of the Wills, Trusts, and Probate team, empowering staff to fulfil their responsibilities and reach their potential.
- Ensure the firm's policies and procedures are implemented and adhered to, demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours expected by the firm.
- Provide effective supervision and ensure adherence to best practices and case management standards within the Wills, Trusts, and Probate team, offering day-to-day support.
- Manage a personal caseload of high-net-worth and complex estates, offering expert advice on Wills, Trusts, and Probate through the free legal advice service for union clients.
Performance Management:
- Oversee the professional quality of work produced by the Wills, Trusts, and Probate team, assessed through regular monthly and other file reviews.
- Supervise the casework of all Wills, Trusts, and Probate fee earners by conducting monthly file reviews, providing day-to-day oversight, resolving issues, and ensuring compliance with SRA and Lexcel standards.
- Offer supervision, technical advice, and guidance on professional matters to members of the Wills, Trusts, and Probate team.
- Develop, implement, and deliver a structured and ongoing training program to ensure that all fee earners and support staff maintain best practice knowledge of relevant laws and procedures.
- Create and manage a repository of best practice template letters and documents, ensuring their consistent use within the case management system.
- Provide input and guidance to ensure the firm maintains Lexcel accreditation.
- Conduct appraisals, set objectives, and establish targets for the Wills, Trusts, and Probate team.
Risk and Compliance:
- Oversee and maintain the High Risk Register for Wills, Trusts, and Probate matters.
- Supervise Wills, Trusts, and Probate staff in adhering to anti-money laundering, source of funds, and other due diligence protocols, authorizing cases to proceed, especially (but not limited to) property transactions, and escalating to the MD when necessary.
- Handle the investigation and review of professional negligence claims, reporting to the MD to devise an appropriate response strategy.
- Investigate and report potential data protection breaches under GDPR or similar legislation.
- Ensure department members use systems and procedures that comply with Lexcel and Proclaim standards, regularly reviewing and updating templates and precedent documents.
- Support the Finance Manager in ensuring compliance with VAT, tax matters, and Accounts Rules related to Wills, Trusts, and Probate transactions.
About you:
- 5+ Years PQE
- Admitted solicitor or legal executive or equivalent
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Good numerical and file management skills