Location: Bristol
Salary: Competitive
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Full or part-time hours of work can be negotiated. Full-time hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm (with 1-hour unpaid lunchbreak)

Davies and Partners Solicitors is a well-established law firm with over 30 years’ experience. It has a national reputation for excellence in the Property sector and strength in depth in a wide selection of other legal services for businesses & individuals. There are 5 offices in Gloucester, Bristol, Birmingham, London and Devon. Davies and Partners Solicitors strongly believe that their staff are the heart of the company and are therefore driven to ensure that all employees experience and maintain a good work-life balance.

Job Purpose:

To be a point of contact for all private client-related enquiries received by any office but primarily for Gloucester, including internally referred work from other departments, whilst maintaining client care to the highest standard.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• To carry out day to day conduct of Private Client files and responsible for all aspects of work connected with Private Client
• To be willing to handle queries from the company’s other offices with the possibility of travelling to those offices sometimes.
• To be confident in handling a wide range of Private Client issues including (but not limited to); Wills, Probate, LPA's, Trusts, Estates, Tax, Court of Protection
• To work to strict deadlines in a pressurised but friendly environment.
• To liaise with support staff in a positive and proactive manner.
• To liaise with the Legal Director on financial budgeting and training requirements/opportunities.
• To achieve legitimate billing in line with figures to be agreed with the Legal Director.
• To assist senior members of the Department with substantial case files and to exhibit flexibility, particularly in times of holiday/sickness.
• To apply proper professional standards. Gaining an awareness of the provisions of the office manual and observing best practice in the prevention of claims against the company for professional negligence and in particular operating with a high degree of personal organisation.
• To demonstrate an awareness of clients’ needs and perceptions of the discharge of your work for them and to act promptly, pro-actively and efficiently in relation to all client matters.
• To comply with all other departmental procedures including the regulation and control client indebtedness.
• To maintain accurate electronic and paper-based records for clients.
• To act as a positive ambassador for Davies and Partners Solicitors.
• To actively participate in the business development of the department.
• To undertake appropriate and relevant staff development regularly.

As part of our compliance procedures, applicants are asked to note that:

• All references will be followed up
• All gaps in CVs must be explained satisfactorily
• Proof of identity and (where applicable) qualifications will be required.
• Reference requests will ask specifically whether the applicant has ever been subject to any proceedings/complaints initiated by the Law Society or any other professional body.
• Appropriate suitability checks may be required prior to confirmation of appointment.

Equal Opportunities

Davies and Partners Solicitors provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable national laws. Davies and Partners Solicitors complies with applicable national laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Personal Specification

Legal Status:

• Appropriate DBS disclosure will be required prior to confirmation of appointment
• Right to live and work in the UK e.g. valid UK or EU passport or appropriate visa/work permits

Education/Qualifications:

• Registered Solicitor that complies to the SRA standards or FCILEX
• 2 years + PQE
• Ideally STEP qualified

Skills/Knowledge:

• Experience working as a Private Client. Solicitor in a fast-paced environment
• Self-organised and proactive.
• A willingness to undertake business development initiatives is essential. This may include preparing articles for local publications and websites and engaging in networking events.
• Ability to take responsibility and solve problems.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality.
• Adaptable to the needs of the business as changes occur during the operational requirements.
• Competent in the effective use of Information and Communications Technologies (lCT).
• The ability to prioritise, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.

You may have experience in the following: Solicitor, Wills and Probate Solicitor, Trusts and Estates Lawyer, Personal Legal Advisor, Wealth Management Solicitor, Inheritance Tax Solicitor, Probate Lawyer, Estate Administration Solicitor, Private Client Advisor, Succession Planning Solicitor, Family Wealth Solicitor, and Estate Lawyer.

REF-216 219