Private Client Solicitor

PRIVATE CLIENT SOLICITOR/ASSOCIATE - 2+ PQE - NEWCASTLE A national law firm is seeking a Private Client Solicitor between 2-6 years PQE to join its Newcastle office. You will work closely with Partners and senior fee earners within the Private Client team, supporting the delivery of a broad range of high-quality legal services to high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, and trustees. The role involves managing a varied caseload independently while assisting on complex and high-value estate planning matters. Key Responsibilities include: - Drafting bespoke Wills, incorporating a variety of trust structures and ancillary documents, and overseeing their execution. - Advising clients on inheritance tax mitigation and estate planning strategies, including Will structures designed to facilitate wealth preservation and tax efficiency. - Assisting with business succession planning in collaboration with corporate and commercial specialists. - Advising on domestic and cross-border estate planning matters. - Creating and reviewing trusts, providing ongoing advice to trustees, and preparing documentation relating to changes in trusteeship, trustee resolutions, deeds of appointment, trust variations, beneficiary distributions, and trust terminations. - Administering trusts and maintaining correspondence with trustees and beneficiaries. - Liaising with legal advisers in other jurisdictions regarding clients' foreign assets, including the preparation and coordination of UK and overseas Wills. - Working collaboratively with colleagues across corporate, family, and real estate disciplines to deliver integrated private client services. - Managing HMRC compliance matters in conjunction with tax advisers and accountants. - Maintaining strong working relationships with accountants, tax specialists, investment managers, and financial planners. - Advising on and administering estates, whether under a Will or the rules of intestacy, including high-value estates involving business interests and international assets. - Advising beneficiaries on succession planning matters and preparing bespoke Deeds of Variation where appropriate. - Taking instructions and providing advice on the preparation and registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney. - Undertaking legal research and consulting with colleagues on complex technical issues. - Attending STEP lectures, departmental meetings, and professional networking events. - Keeping abreast of legal developments and participating in continuing professional development activities. - Building and maintaining strong client relationships and contributing to business development initiatives, networking activities, and training programmes. - Assisting with the maintenance and development of precedent banks and internal knowledge resources. - Ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and risk management procedures. The ideal candidate will be a resilient, organised, and articulate professional with a positive and proactive approach, together with: - A minimum of two years' post-qualification experience at Solicitor level, or four years' experience at Associate level, within Private Client practice. - Experience handling both high-value and complex private client matters, including work for business owners. - Strong technical knowledge of Private Client law and a sound understanding of its interaction with Corporate, Family, and Property law. - A genuine enthusiasm for professional development and a willingness to develop business development and networking skills. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly and effectively. - Strong organisational and planning abilities, with the capability to manage workloads independently while contributing positively within a team environment. - Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt communication styles to suit a diverse client base. - A client-focused approach, delivering a personalised service while maintaining accuracy under pressure and meeting demanding deadlines. - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, coupled with sound professional judgement. - A proactive, commercially aware mindset, with effective prioritisation, file management, IT proficiency, and financial discipline. For more information on this Private Client Solicitor role in Newcastle, please contact Rozie Hunter at BCL Legal. BCL Legal is an equal opportunities employer.