Senior Associate / Legal Director / Partner

Job description
Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich, Sevenoaks and Bristol. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: property, corporate services, litigation and private client advisory.

We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.

With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.

The department

The team currently comprises over 60 specialist lawyers, including fifteen partners.

We have the strength and depth of expertise to ensure we deliver the service you would expect in respect of technical quality, practical approach and client service. We act as trusted advisers to individuals, families, trustees, family or owner-run businesses and trust companies both in the UK and internationally. We place particular priority on continuity and fostering close long-term relationships with contacts and clients in order to provide practical advice and commercial solutions on a very wide variety of tax, trust and estate planning situations that arise.

We also work very closely with our large Agricultural team advising farming families and Landed Estates on succession and tax planning.

Purpose of job

The successful candidate will play a critical role in providing expert legal advice and services to high-net-worth clients.

This position will involve acting for high net worth clients, offering guidance on succession planning, trusts, wills, tax planning and estate management. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining and growing client relationships, ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services and contributing to the strategic direction and success of the firm.

This role is based in our Sevenoaks Office and has a particular focus on working with our current partners there to establish and expand our presence in the region.

Accountabilities

Client Management and Development
• Build and maintain strong relationship with high-net-worth clients.
• Provide tailored legal advice on succession planning, tax advice, wills and estate administration.
• Ensure client need are met with the highest standard of professionalism and efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for expanding client relationships and cross-selling additional services.

Legal Expertise and Advice
• Stay abreast of the latest developments in the relevant law.
• Draft and review complex legal documents including will, trust and powers of attorney.
• Advise clients on mitigating tax liabilities and structuring their estates effectively.

Team Leadership and Management
• Help lead and mentor a team of junior lawyers fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Provide guidance and training to other team members ensuring continuous professional development.
• Oversee the workload and performance of the team, ensuring efficient and effective service delivery.

Business Development and Strategy
• Contribute to the development and execution of the firm’s strategic plan, particularly within the Private Client Advisory Team.
• Participate in networking events, conferences and other business development activities to promote the firm’s services.
• Develop and implement marketing initiatives to attract new clients and retain existing ones.
• Monitor and report on market trends, client feedback and competitive activity to inform strategic decisions.
• Lead efforts to establish and grow the firm’s presence in the Kent region, leveraging local networks and industry contacts.

Compliance and Risk Management
• Ensure all activities comply with relevant laws, regulations and professional standards.
• Manage risks associated with client engagements, including identifying and mitigating potential conflicts of interest.
• Maintain accurate and up to date client records and documentation in accordance with legal and firm policies.

The candidate

Qualifications And Experience
• 7 years’+ PQE gained within a strong regional, national or City firm.
• Strong academic background.
• Proven track record of advising high net worth clients in all areas of private client advisory law.
• A high attention to detail to produce work/ documentation which is consistently of a high standard.
• To have a flexible approach to work to ensure client deadlines are always met and clients are communicated with on a consistent and regular basis.
• Previous experience in business development and establishing a presence in new markets.

Skills And Competencies
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain client relationships.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management abilities.
• Business development acumen with experience in growing a client base and identifying new business opportunities.
• High level of integrity and professional ethics.

Personal Attributes
• Client-focused mindset, with a commitment to delivering excellent service.
• Proactive and results-oriented with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Adaptable and resilient with the ability to thrive in a dynamic and fast paced environment.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Entrepreneurial spirit, with a passion for building and growing a business.

Equal opportunities

At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:
• 30 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
• Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR Day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
• Dress for your Day Policy
• *Partner benefits will be discussed at interview**

https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit. Read more