Job Description
Private Client Senior Associate (6+ PQE)
Location: Harrow Area
Salary: c.£75,000 – £95,000+ DOE/PQE
Are you an experienced Private Client Solicitor seeking high-net-worth estate planning instructions alongside a defined pathway to help lead and expand a thriving department? Our client is a prominent, well-established law firm in North West London with a highly regarded private client practice and a strong pipeline of quality work. Experiencing sustained expansion, they are seeking an ambitious Senior Associate (6+ PQE) to manage a complex, taxable estate caseload, cultivate strong client relationships, and step into a departmental leadership succession track.
The Opportunity
In this key senior fee-earning role, you will deliver bespoke asset protection and estate planning strategies to a diverse client base of high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and entrepreneurial families. Managing matters independently from initial instruction through to completion, you will oversee taxable probate administrations, trust creation and management, and cross-border wealth planning. Designed for an ambitious practitioner who wants more than a standard caseload, this position offers high operational autonomy, direct input into service delivery, and a clear, structured route to departmental leadership.
Key Responsibilities & Requirements
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Qualifications & Experience: Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with a minimum of 6+ years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) in private client law within a reputable UK private practice. STEP qualification (Full Member) or working towards is highly desirable.
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Complex Technical Mastery: In-depth expertise managing complex and taxable estate administrations, drafting bespoke wills and trust deeds, establishing tax-efficient succession plans, and advising on Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs).
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Taxation & Asset Protection: Strong working knowledge of Inheritance Tax (IHT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), and asset protection structures specifically tailored for business owners and high-net-worth families.
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Client Care & Interpersonal Skills: Confident, empathetic, and articulate communication style with a proven track record of building trusted, long-term relationships with HNWIs and professional referrers.
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Leadership & Business Development: Commercially minded and solutions-focused approach with a proactive interest in practice development, networking, and a genuine ambition to help lead and mentor an expanding department.
Package & Working Structure
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Competitive Remuneration: £75,000 – £95,000 base salary per annum (commensurate with PQE and technical background) plus a lucrative performance-related bonus scheme.
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Working Arrangement: Full-time, office-based role located in the Harrow area (North West London), fostering strong team collaboration and client engagement.
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Comprehensive Benefits: Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays, workplace pension scheme, payment of professional membership fees, and full CPD/STEP training support.
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Career Trajectory: Clear, structured pathway directly into a departmental leadership role as the practice continues to grow.
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Culture & Environment: Collaborative, supportive firm culture where strategic ideas are valued, supported by experienced secretarial and administrative staff.
How to Apply
To discuss this opportunity in complete confidence or request a full position profile, please contact David Hawthorne-Finch directly:
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Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com
Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is acting as an employment agency for this vacancy. All applications and enquiries are treated with the strictest confidence, and candidate details are never shared without express consent.