Job title: Senior Associate Solicitor – Contentious Trusts & Probate
Job type: Permanent
Industry: Legal
Sub-Functional Expertise: 7 Year PQE Senior Associate / Solicitor
Salary type: Annual
Salary: GBP £105,000.00
Location: London Central, UK
Job published: 2026-10-05
Job ID: 70156
Contact name: David Hawthorne-Finch
Phone number: +443339962882
Contact email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Job Description

Senior Associate Solicitor – Contentious Trusts & Probate

Location: Central London / Islington

Salary: £85,000 – £105,000+ DOE/PQE

 

Are you an accomplished Contentious Trusts & Probate Senior Associate seeking day-to-day team leadership, high-value disputes, and a clear path toward Partnership within a Great Place to Work® certified practice? Our client is a prestigious, award-winning full-service law firm combining the technical rigor and client caliber of a City firm with the accessibility, personal service, and collaborative culture of a leading London practice. Operating across high-profile London hubs, they are seeking an experienced Senior Associate (6+ years PQE) with supervisory expertise and a portable client following to lead the operational day-to-day oversight of their Contentious Trusts & Probate team in Central London. Built on a culture of excellence, kindness, and collaboration, this strategic role offers high operational impact, direct partner collaboration, and an exceptional working environment.

 

The Opportunity

Working closely with department partners, you will take lead operational responsibility for supervising a specialist team of solicitors, trainees, and paralegals handling complex estate and trust litigation. Managing a high-quality caseload acting for high-net-worth individuals, executors, trustees, and beneficiaries, you will manage complex disputes autonomously while shaping the strategic growth of the practice. Designed for a commercially minded senior lawyer with proven leadership capability and a business development mindset, this role provides direct strategic influence, active practice-building support, and a supportive workplace certified among the top environments in the UK.

 

Key Responsibilities & Requirements

  • Qualifications & Education: Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with 6+ years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) specialising in Contentious Trusts & Probate litigation within a recognised UK/London practice. ACTAPS qualification or STEP diploma is highly advantageous. Strong academic credentials (2:1 or 1st class undergraduate degree required).

  • Portable Client Following: Demonstrable track record of fee generation and an established, portable client or referrer following to anchor and expand the practice (essential).

  • Complex Litigation & Technical Expertise: Proven track record in managing high-value private client disputes, including Will validity challenges (capacity, undue influence), Inheritance Act 1975 claims, breach of trust and executor removal applications, estate administration disputes, and proprietary estoppel claims.

  • Team Leadership & Supervision: Proven leadership experience overseeing, mentoring, and developing junior solicitors, trainee solicitors, and paralegals, including caseload management and technical support.

  • Business Development & Practice Growth: Proactive involvement in marketing initiatives, external networking, legal updates, and cross-departmental referrals to drive team growth and brand visibility.

 

Package & Working Structure

  • Competitive Remuneration: £85,000 – £105,000 base compensation per annum (commensurate with PQE, market standing, and portable following) plus lucrative target-related performance bonuses.

  • Agile Working: Modern hybrid working options available following successful completion of probation.

  • Comprehensive Healthcare & Life Cover: Group Life Assurance Scheme (4x annual salary) and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing mental health and wellbeing resources.

  • Exceptional Leave Allowance: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and full firm closure between Christmas and New Year.

  • Training & Sabbatical Policies: Free professional development and training opportunities, plus paid sabbatical leave after 10 years of service.

 

How to Apply

To discuss this opportunity in complete confidence or request a full position profile, please contact David Hawthorne-Finch directly:

  • 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 prior express consent.