Solicitor/Associate

The firm

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 and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.

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 Birketts Private Client Team is a highly regarded and collaborative department, offering wide-ranging expertise across estates and private property, tax planning, and family matters across all seven of our offices.

Our lawyers come from a range of backgrounds, including major City practices, other major national and regional firms, industry and local government and include individuals with construction, planning and commercial expertise. The depth and range of expertise means the team can work together in major and complex transactions and provide a sector-based offering for our clients.

The International Private Client team forms part of the wider private client advisory department and has team members based in our Bristol, London and Cambridge offices.

Our team specilaises in:

• Cross-border wills and estates

Tax advisory work for international clients

US / UK private client services team

Country Experts team

Shariah structuring and planning for private clients

International trust work

Notarial services

We work closely with the other international teams in the wider private client division, including international family, immigration and private wealth disputes.

Purpose of job

The role is to join our London team with a particular focus on cross-border Wills, succession and estate planning and Spanish private client work. The ability to speak Spanish will be beneficial.

Accountabilities

You will be responsible for:

• Drafting and negotiating on relevant Wills, trusts, deeds, documents, advice notes, letters and correspondence tailored to the client’s individual needs and requirements
• Dealing with the administration of complex cross-border estates
• Direct communication with clients, advisers and other relevant stakeholders
• Supporting an active caseload with the aim of providing efficient and effective advice
• Participating in marketing and networking initiatives
  
  
  

The candidate

• Completion of a recognised training contract or equivalent qualifying experience
• 2-4 years' experience gained working in a reputable legal firm
• Demonstrable interest and foundational knowledge in chosen practice area
• Proficency in Spanish is advantageous
• Strong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standard
• Professional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client service
• To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation
  
  
  

We have designed a 'Talent Management Framework' which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. As a Solicitor, we typically expect candidates to have between 0-3 years PQE. As an Associate, we would expect candidates ot have between 3-6 years PQE.

Any information provided in relation to PQE should be used for guidance only and will not be determinative in the recruitment decision. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits.

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:

• 25 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

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.