Senior Associate - Probate and Private Client

Senior Associate, Probate and Private Client

Basingstoke

Shaw Gibbs is a growing top 35 accountancy practice who provide expert solutions for entrepreneurial businesses and private individuals in Central and Southern England. Shaw Gibbs invest in their teams of high-quality specialists who work with the best-in-breed technology to create value for our clients which exceeds expectation. 

Our culture is very important to us and is based on our company’s values of expert, respectful, innovative and collaborative. We develop high performing teams diverse in experiences, backgrounds and ideas. As a growing company, there are plenty of opportunities for development and quick progression. Our practice is known for having a friendly and supportive team culture where everyone receives training and development to increase their technical knowledge and their commercial and management skills. We put our people first and are constantly looking for ways to improve our people’s experience. With respectful as one of our values, we are committed to creating an inclusive culture that respects, values and celebrates cultural and individual differences.

We have several offices in Central and Southern England and have ambitious plans to expand our business. To support the organisation’s growth, we have created a new opportunity for a Senior Associate, Probate and Private Client to join our Basingstoke team. This is a permanent full-time role with hybrid and flexible working options. 

Overview
The Senior Associate will manage a portfolio of probate and private client matters, providing high quality legal advice and support to clients, executors, attorneys, beneficiaries and professional advisers.

The role involves working closely with fellow members of the Probate & Legal Services team and with Shaw Gibbs partners and managers who introduce clients to the service. The successful candidate will play an important role in delivering an excellent client experience, progressing matters efficiently, supporting colleagues and contributing to the continued success of the team.

This is a hands-on fee-earning role with responsibility for managing client matters, developing trusted professional relationships and contributing to the commercial success of the Probate & Legal Services team.

Key Responsibilities
Client Work

• Managing estate administration matters from instruction through to completion.
• Preparing wills, lasting powers of attorney and related private client documentation.
• Advising on trusts and trust administration where required.
• Preparing deeds and other private client legal documents.
• Liaising with executors, beneficiaries, accountants, tax advisers and other professional advisers.
• Advising on Family Investment Companies and Partnership Agreements.
• Delivering high quality legal advice across probate and private client matters.
• Manage a varied portfolio of probate and private client matters.
• Ensure matters progress efficiently and proactively.
• Exercise sound professional judgement and make decisions in the best interests of clients.
• Maintain high technical standards and compliance with regulatory and professional requirements.

Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Shaw Gibbs partners and managers who introduce clients to the Probate & Legal Services team.
• Develop trusted relationships with clients and professional advisers.
• Work closely with accountants, tax professionals and other specialists involved in client matters.
• Respond confidently to enquiries from prospective clients and help convert suitable opportunities into instructions through excellent communication and client service.
• Act as a professional and credible representative of the Probate & Legal Services team

Team Contribution

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Probate & Legal Services team.
• Share technical knowledge and practical experience with colleagues.
• Provide guidance and support to junior members of the team where appropriate.
• Act as a sounding board for colleagues dealing with complex client matters.
• Contribute positively to the culture and development of the team.

Commercial Contribution

• Understand the importance of delivering excellent client outcomes whilst contributing to the commercial success of the team.
• Manage matters efficiently and effectively.
• Support the achievement of team objectives relating to profitability, client satisfaction and service delivery.
• Identify opportunities to improve client experience and ways of working.

About You
Essential Experience

• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive.
• Experience within a private client legal practice, with sufficient knowledge and confidence to manage probate and private client matters with an appropriate degree of autonomy
• Strong experience of probate and estate administration matters.
• Experience advising clients on a broad range of private client issues.
• Experience managing client relationships with a high degree of autonomy.
• Strong drafting, communication and matter management skills.

Desirable Experience

• STEP qualification or other relevant private client specialism.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and commitment to maintaining and developing technical expertise

Essential Attributes

• Sound judgement: You will be confident making decision, assessing risk appropriately and providing clear recommendations to clients and colleagues.
• Commercial awareness: You will understand the importance of balancing excellent client outcomes with the commercial realities of delivering professional services.
• Relationship focused: You will enjoy working closely with clients and professional contacts and are able to build trust quickly through credibility, responsiveness and professionalism.
• Progress minded: You will take ownership of matters and maintain momentum. You are motivated by helping clients achieve outcomes and ensuring matters move forward efficiently.
• Collaborative: You will enjoy working as part of a team and recognise the value of sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues and contributing to collective success.
• Continuous improvement: You will be open to new ideas and willing to identify opportunities to improve processes, efficiency and client service.

Success in the Role
After 12 months, a successful Senior Associate will:

• Manage a portfolio of probate and private client      matters confidently and independently.
• Contribute to excellent client outcomes and high      levels of client satisfaction.
• Build trusted working relationships with Shaw      Gibbs partners and managers who introduce probate and legal services work.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the      Probate & Legal Services team.
• Support the team's commercial objectives through      efficient matter management and strong client service.
• Be regarded as a trusted sounding board for      colleagues on both technical and practical matters.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes,      working practices and the client experience.

 
Job Benefits

• Hybrid working after successful completion of your probationary period (three days in the office and two days at home)
• Flexible working (flexing your hours around the core working hours of 10am to 4pm)
• Joining a fast-growing company with exciting growth plans ahead
• Exposure to a wide range of clients across many industries
• Plenty of opportunity to increase your technical knowledge and skills
• A varied role within a talented and experienced team
• Entry onto our next Management Development Programme – a bespoke programme aimed at developing and enhancing leadership potential for existing and aspiring managers
• ERIC internal recognition awards – monthly recognition awards that celebrate those who champion the Shaw Gibbs values 
• Long service awards
• Regular employee events including a company-wide summer party
• A competitive benefits package, including:
  • A 25-day core holiday allowance plus other holiday-related benefits, such as: Holiday trading (the ability to buy or sell up to 5 days holiday per year), flexible bank holidays (the ability to flex your bank holidays to a day that suits you best) and additional holiday with service
  • A dedicated “Wellbeing Day” – an additional day off per year to focus on your wellbeing
  • Employee Assistant Programme (EAP) which includes access to 24/7 online GP consultations, 2nd medical opinions and mental health first aiders present in every office
  • Access to MYNDUP – a wellbeing support platform which offers confidential 1-to-1 sessions with therapists, counsellors, psychologists, and coaches. 
  • Shaw Gibbs Rewards – access to discounts on a wide range of retailers
  • Health Cash Plan – money back on routine health appointments
  • Electric Vehicles Salary Sacrifice Scheme
  • Client and employee referral bonuses
  • Pension Salary Sacrifice Scheme
  • Death in Service Life Assurance
  • Enhanced family leave policies
  • Cycle to Work Scheme

 
Diversity, equality and inclusion
Shaw Gibbs is an inclusive employer, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities to all candidates by ensuring a comfortable and accessible interview experience. We understand that some individuals may have specific needs or require accommodation/adjustments during the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to ensure your recruitment experience with Shaw Gibbs is as inclusive and accessible as possible, please let us know at your earliest convenience via the application form or via an email to [email protected].

We believe that diversity makes Shaw Gibbs a stronger firm and we look to employ people with different ideas, styles and skillsets. This diversity stimulates a rich, creative environment – one in which our people develop, and our clients enjoy enduring results. We’re committed to recruiting, promoting and rewarding our people solely based on their ability to contribute to Shaw Gibbs’ goals, without regard to their sex, gender, race, disability, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or marital status.