Wills & Probate (Private Client) Solicitor - NQ to 3 years PQE

Watkins Solicitors is an award-winning and busy solicitors firm specialising in Family Law, Education Law, Wills and Probate Law, Conveyancing, Human Rights and Judicial Review with branches across Bristol, Bath and Hereford.  

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our expanding Wills and Probate Department. We seek to appoint a permanent full-time Wills and Probate Solicitor; this is a perfect opportunity for a newly-qualified solicitor or a solicitor with up to 3 years of PQE. Full-time is 35 hours a week, Monday to Thursday 9 am to 5 pm, and Friday 8.30 am to 4 pm. We are looking for someone to work in either our Fishponds or Bedminster office; however, travel between the offices will be required. 

You will be handling a broad base of probate and private client work, including administering estates, drafting wills and powers of attorney, handling tax, trusts and elderly client matters, as well as a range of others. You must have solid knowledge and understanding of probate law. 

Watkins Solicitors has an outstanding reputation as an employer, offering excellent employee benefits, a great working culture and exciting career opportunities. We are a friendly, sociable, and respected company with a firm belief in supporting our staff. 

This position may suit someone at the start of their legal career as we offer training with opportunities to progress. The firm supports remote, agile, and flexible working. In line with the firm’s culture, we aim to nurture and grow our own talent, and we will support the successful candidate in their development and progression.

The candidate

We are looking for a candidate with experience working in a Wills and Probate Department who wants to continue their development, is highly organised, and can use their own initiative. 

The main responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Providing general advice to clients on all aspects of wills, trusts and probate law 
• Preparing all will types 
• LPAs
• Inheritance tax planning 
• Dealing with estate administration 
• Setting up and administering trusts 
• Maintaining and ensuring case management file is up to date 
• Supervising, training and providing feedback to paralegals within the department 
• Assisting the Head of Department as necessary 

Essential criteria

• A strong background in private client work
• Excellent client care skills 
• Excellent organisational skills 
• A professional telephone manner 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines 
• The ability to prioritise your workload 
• The ability to think on your feet to resolve problems as they arise 

Desirable criteria 

• STEP accreditation 

Our offer

In return, you can expect a rewarding career. We believe in looking after our employees, which is why we offer an excellent flexible work policy to help you balance your personal and professional lives. We also provide the Bike2Work Scheme. The firm very much supports continual training and has developed an extensive in-house training scheme. 

Following a probationary period, there may be the opportunity to work flexibly from home subject to business and client needs. 

To apply, please send a CV and a covering letter to Kate Ford kford@watkinssolicitors.co.uk. The closing date for this vacancy is 10 December 2021. Interviews will take place remotely.

This firm welcomes applications from all sections of the community irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.