Job Description

Private Client Solicitor (Wills & Probate)

Location: Watford + flexibility

Salary: £55,000–£70,000 

 

Why this role

Our client is looking for a Private Client Solicitor who wants a high-quality Wills & Probate caseload with a genuinely interesting additional strand of work. Around 70% of the role is core private client work, with the remaining time supporting probate matters connected to infected blood compensation cases. This is a developing area with real purpose, plenty of learning, and partner-level support.

 

The role at a glance

Job title: Private Client Solicitor / Legal Executive (Fee Earner)

Location: Watford 

Working pattern: 35 hours/week (Mon–Fri 09:15–17:30)

Flexibility: Part-time (4 days) considered; some flexibility on arrangements discussed case-by-case

Reporting to: Partners / Senior Partner

 

What you’ll be doing

Core private client work (majority of caseload)

• Managing a varied caseload from instruction to completion, including:

  • Probate and estate administration (applications, administration, correspondence with executors/beneficiaries)

  • Wills (all types) from instruction through to execution

  • Lasting Powers of Attorney from instruction to registration

  • Inheritance tax planning and implementation (including lifetime trusts, gifting, and Deeds of Variation)

• Delivering excellent client care, keeping clients informed even where matters are temporarily inactive

• Working collaboratively to manage deadlines and support team capacity

• Supporting business development through strong relationships and a professional service

 

Infected blood-related private client work (smaller, specialist element)

• Supporting probate/estate matters connected to infected and affected blood victims who have passed away

• Working in an area where guidance is still evolving, which may involve:

  • Interpreting developing rules/guidance

  • Identifying entitled recipients/beneficiaries where details may be unclear

  • Potential contentious probate elements

 

This element will be discussed in detail during interview so you can make a fully informed decision about the nature of the work.

 

What we’re looking for

 

Essential

 

• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX)

• 3+ years’ PQE (or equivalent post-qualification experience) in UK private practice

• Proven ability to run private client matters end-to-end with minimal supervision

• Strong technical grounding in:

  • Wills, Probate, LPAs, IHT planning

  • Trusts and estate administration processes

• Excellent client communication and stakeholder management

• Highly organised, detail-focused, and comfortable with a busy caseload

• Strong IT capability and confidence using legal case management systems

 

Desirable

 

• Exposure to complex probate and/or contentious probate

• Interest in developing expertise in a specialist, evolving area of private client work

• Experience supervising or supporting junior colleagues

 

Team and progression

You’ll join a close-knit firm with a small, supportive private client function. The team includes partner oversight, administrative support, and junior team members who will rotate into the department over the next 12–18 months.

This role offers clear scope to:

• Take ownership of files and become a go-to fee earner in the department

• Develop specialist expertise in an emerging area

• Supervise and mentor junior team members as they progress

 

Salary and benefits

Salary: £55,000–£70,000 depending on experience (flexibility for the right person)

Benefits include:

• 25 days’ holiday

• Life assurance (4x basic salary) (after probation)

• Group Income Protection (after probation)

• Private healthcare (after 3 years’ service)

• Pension: employer 3% / employee 5%

• Parking support: limited on-site spaces for fee earners, or arranged parking in a nearby car park (2–3 minutes’ walk)

 

Interested?

For a confidential conversation and full details, contact:

David Hawthorne-Finch

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions Ltd (H-FTS)

Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

 

If you’d prefer, send your CV and a brief note on your current situation (notice period, salary expectations, and what you’re looking for next).

 

Confidentiality: All applications and discussions will be treated in the strictest confidence.