Solicitor / Legal Executive / Associate – Court of Protection

Our growing Court of Protection team has an exciting career opportunity for a Private Client Solicitor, Legal Executive or Associate to join our Bristol practice. Our well-regarded team are specialists in Court of Protection law, continually ranking highly in the Legal 500.

We offer a generous benefits package that includes:

• 26 days holiday + bank holidays (rising to 29 days holiday after 2 years)
• Private Healthcare.
• ncome Protection.
• Life Assurance.
• Hybrid Working.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Season Ticket Loan (up to £2000)
• Additional Christmas Leave.

The team is led by two Senior Partners who act as Deputies for 200+ clients. In this role, you will work closely the Senior Partner advising on and helping to manage the team’s deputyship clients many of whom have complex care needs and significant assets. You will also deal with ‘lay clients’ in giving advice on Court of Protection matters, including applications to the court. You will supervise and mentor more junior members of staff and manage technical legal support on files of other fee-earners. You will enjoy the support of a national practice and the advice and guidance of many exceptional lawyers.

Role: Solicitor/Legal Executive/Associate

Location: Bristol

Hours: Full Time

Term: Permanent

Vacancy Reference: 1252-LBL

Who we are

You’ll be joining a national law firm that enjoys a strong reputation, made possible by our exceptional people – each chosen for their industry knowledge and passion for their field. We want to help you to reach your full potential, love the work you do and deliver the best results for your clients. It’s our goal to make you feel great about working with us, and we work hard to cultivate a culture that makes it easy for you to stay with us for many years.

We work flexibly and you’ll be empowered to work where you do your best work, balancing your individual needs with the need for us to engage as teams and deliver excellent client service.

Most of our people choose to work in a hybrid fashion, working from home and attending our offices on occasion. Our offices are in Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton, and Taunton.

Day to day, you’ll be successful in this role by:

In this varied role you will be dealing with all aspects of Court of Protection work including:

• Making applications to appoint replacement trustees.
• Statutory will, gifting and compromise applications.
• Deputyship Administration.
• Investigating and reinstating the incapacitated person’s estate.
• Addressing international aspects of the incapacitated person’s estate.
• Working with other teams in the firm where the client requires litigation to be undertaken on their behalf.
• Applications for recognition and enforcement.

You will provide excellent client service, as this is at the heart of everything we do. You will appreciate how important this is for our clients, and will be able to demonstrate how you have impressed your clients and built relationships of trust and respect with them.

It is an integral part of this role that you comply with data security and all firm policies and procedures.

This role is right for you if:

• You have at least 5 PQE, ideally with STEP accreditation.
• A strong work ethic and inter-personal skills to work collaboratively within our team.
• You are passionate about Court of Protection work.
• You have great attention to detail and the ability to offer solutions whilst knowing where guidance is needed to provide the most efficient outcome.
• Extensive experience within private client.
• You will have excellent communication skills, impeccable spelling and grammar, and be proficient with the usual Microsoft packages, including Excel and PowerPoint. We use a variety of different software packages here and so you need to be comfortable with learning new databases and bespoke IT systems.
• You want to be part of a vibrant and supportive team.
• You are interested in growing your knowledge and technical skillset.
• You can appreciate the importance of client service and are able to demonstrate how you have impressed your clients and built relationships of trust and respect with them.
• You enjoy working as part of a team or on your own with appropriate supervision.
• We are looking for someone who can demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills, with a willingness to learn and develop, which will help you thrive in this role.

What we can offer you:

A career at Clarke Willmott will feel different to other law firms. We thrive on our individual differences and diversity because as a team, we are united by our shared values and mutual respect. Working with us you will feel empowered, valued and free to be yourself in a safe and supportive environment.

Our mission is to help you realise your full potential whilst maintaining a positive work-life balance. We provide a comprehensive learning and development programme and a range of wellbeing initiatives to support your career journey.

There’s no doubt we expect the best from our people and even the occasional extra mile. In return, your dedication and commitment to the continued success of the firm will be rewarded with a comprehensive range of flexible benefits.