Private Client Solicitor

Churchgates brings together a unique and powerful combination of Accountants, Tax Advisers, Solicitors, Financial Planners, Investment Managers and a dedicated team of operational support staff, all under one roof. We believe in treating everyone with respect, and our culture reflects this through a friendly yet professional environment where traditional values still matter.

Based in the legal department at our Langton Place office in Bury St Edmunds, this role would ideally suit a newly qualified solicitor or someone with up to four years' post-qualification experience.

We are looking for someone who will maintain our high standard of client service, enjoy working within a multi-disciplinary professional services firm, and build trusted, long-term relationships with clients. You will be approachable, empathetic and discreet, with the ability to communicate complex and often sensitive matters clearly and with confidence.

You will advise high-net-worth clients on a broad range of private client matters, providing clear, practical advice tailored to their individual and family circumstances.

Your work will reflect your experience and include:

• Drafting wills to reflect clients' wishes and circumstances.
• Preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney and advising on deputyships and other Court of Protection applications.
• Advising on inheritance tax planning, including relevant exemptions and reliefs.
• Advising on and drafting lifetime trusts.
• Helping clients understand the wider implications of their decisions, transactions and legal arrangements.
• Dealing with probate and the administration of estates, including intestacy.
• Advising on and drafting deeds of variation.
• Keeping up to date with developments in private client law and maintaining your professional knowledge.
• Managing matters from initial instruction through to completion, organising deadlines and keeping clients informed, with a level of responsibility appropriate to your experience and seeking guidance when needed.
• Working closely with colleagues across our legal, tax, accounting and financial services teams to provide a joined-up service to clients.

• Qualified as a Solicitor.
• A genuine interest in private client work, with relevant experience gained during training or after qualification.
• Confident IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office, document management and legal document production software.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise work, meet deadlines and draft accurate documents with close attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative approach and the confidence to use your initiative and seek advice when needed.
• A commitment to excellent client service, with the empathy, discretion and sensitivity to support clients through important and sometimes difficult decisions.

• A competitive salary
• 24 days' holiday, plus bank holidays
• Birthday leave
• Holiday purchase/sale scheme
• Flexible home working policy
• Matching employer pension contributions up to 6% of salary
• Salary sacrifice available for pension contributions
• Income protection equal to 50% of salary until State Pension age if you are off work due to long-term illness or injury
• Death in service benefit (4x basic salary)
• Private health insurance - individual cover available
• Up to two professional subscriptions paid for
• Encouragement to develop and learn by attending training courses and CPD events
• Soft skills workshops
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Length of service recognition
• Social events paid for or subsidised by the firm