Private Client Solicitor

Gibson Kerr are seeking a solicitor with experience of contentious private client work to join our Private Client team. The successful candidate will be able to manage their own caseload and play an active role in an expanding department. This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to develop their career within a supportive environment and to further specialise in contentious private client work. An attractive salary and bonus package, commensurate with level of experience, is available.

The successful candidate will preferably be up to 10 years qualified. They will:-

• have experience of dealing with contentious private client matters, including disputes relating to wills, trusts, executries, estates and succession;
• have a strong working knowledge of the relevant Scottish law, particularly in relation to succession, trusts, executries and contentious private client matters;
• have experience in a client-facing role and be confident dealing with court actions and court appearances;
• have excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• be enthusiastic and personable – able to establish good rapport with clients, colleagues, counsel and other professional advisers;
• be able to work independently, take responsibility for their own caseload and progress matters with minimum supervision;

There are opportunities for advancement for the right person.

Our private client team undertake all aspects of private client work including wills, powers of attorney, executries, trusts, estate planning, cost of care advice and contentious private client matters and succession disputes. We are a small, reputable team, focused on delivering quality legal advice to clients across the spectrum of private client work.

Gibson Kerr is a central Edinburgh legal practice with an established client base, specialising in private client, family law and residential conveyancing and estate agency. The business is a three-partner firm, with nine other qualified solicitors. The private client department comprises four solicitors and five support staff. The team currently operates from our office in Edinburgh’s West End, with our office in Glasgow available for client meetings.

Job Description

Job Title: Private client solicitor

Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience of contentious private client work, particularly disputes relating to wills, trusts, executries, estates and succession.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant Scottish private client and succession law.
• .
• Experience of conducting litigation
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and take responsibility for their own caseload.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deal confidently and sensitively with clients.
• Computer Literate – MS Word, Internet, Excel (basic), email, case management systems.
• Driving licence.

Responsibilities:

• To take up a client facing role, with particular responsibility for contentious private client matters.
• To manage their own caseload and progress matters efficiently and proactively.
• To provide clear, accurate and practical legal advice to clients.
• To liaise with clients, counsel, other solicitors and professional advisers as required.

Job Purpose:

• To take responsibility for their caseload, with a particular focus on contentious private client work, by delivering an accurate, high quality, on time service to clients.
• To contribute to the continued development and growth of contentious private client work within the firm.

Standard expected:

• Must always abide by the ethical code applicable to Scottish solicitors. Must keep all information relating to clients strictly confidential, must not voice criticism of other solicitors/organisations to clients/public and must be aware of restrictions on touting for business.
• Must maintain high standards of client care and professionalism at all times and deal sensitively with clients, particularly where matters involve disputes concerning family relationships, estates or succession.
• Must be dressed and groomed suitably for the job in hand.

Conditions of Employment:

• Working hours will be 8.30am till 5pm, Monday to Friday. More may be required from time to time, on a voluntary basis. Flexible and agile working can be agreed, subject to business needs.
• Five weeks annual leave is given, plus five days’ public holidays: two days at each of Christmas and New Year and one day on Easter Monday.
• Competitive salary depending on experience, with the possibility to earn bonuses.
• Three months’ notice of termination of employment is to be given on either side, though there is a three-month probationary period during which the employer only requires to give one month’s notice. Three months’ notice period applies to the applicant during the probationary period.

Salary Package: negotiable, dependent on experience

Annual leave entitlement: 30 days (incl. public holidays)

Promotion Prospects: To take on more responsibilities as the business expands. Opportunity to advance for the right person.

Applicant Profile

• Enthusiastic and personable – someone with good rapport with clients and staff of other firms.
• Excellent team player.
• Keen to develop new skills and practices and be willing to become involved in all aspects of the private client department, with a particular interest in contentious private client work.
• Willing to learn new tasks and firm procedures.
• Confident using computer systems and quick to learn new systems and procedures.
• Prepared to take responsibility for the way their actions impact on the performance of the firm and to work with the business to develop a career path within the practice.
• Prepared to perform all aspects of the job conscientiously. Must be able to handle a varied workload, work to targets and prioritise tasks as appropriate.
• Will take the initiative where an opportunity arises in relation to getting new business and can go about their business in a confident manner. In particular, they should be able to develop and maintain strong client relationships and identify opportunities to develop the firm's contentious private client offering.