Private Client Senior Associate / Partner

Buckles Solicitors LLP; Bristol; On-site; GBP 70,000 - GBP 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable law firm in Bristol seeks a Senior Private Client Lawyer with at least 10 years of post-qualified experience. This full-time role involves delivering legal services related to inheritance tax planning, wills, and estate administration, while also actively participating in business development initiatives. Applicants should possess exceptional legal and communication skills and a proactive approach to career development. The firm offers a supportive environment with attractive rewards and professional growth opportunities.

Benefits

Generous Annual Leave

Private Healthcare

Enhanced Pension Scheme

Buy Extra Holiday

Group Life Assurance

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years PQE.
• Proven results in business development.
• Cross-functional teamwork and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Deliver legal advice on IHT planning, Wills, and Estate Administration.
• Attract new work according to business strategy.
• Support junior colleagues' professional development.

Skills

Strong legal skills in Private Client setting

Excellent communication skills

Business development skills

Initiative and organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Relevant Professional Qualifications

10+ years PQE

Tools

Case management systems

Microsoft Office applications

Job description

About Buckles Law

Buckles Law LLP is an award‑winning firm, that provides world‑class client experience and services on a comprehensive range of legal services to both businesses and individuals in the UK and internationally.

Delivering effective and cost‑efficient legal solutions from our offices based in Cambridge, London, Nottingham, Peterborough, Stamford, and Bristol with international presence in Paris and Milan.

Here at Buckles Law, we recognise that all this is possible due to our team of highly dedicated, enthusiastic professionals across our locations. We pride ourselves on providing a positive work environment where independent thinking and new ideas are actively encouraged and where every member of the team genuinely can make a difference.

Buckles carries the LawNet Mark of Excellence and is Investor in People Gold accredited.

Private Client role

We are excited to be recruiting for an experienced Senior Private Client Lawyer with a minimum of 10‑years post qualified experience to join our very successful and dynamic team in Bristol.

This is a full‑time permanent opportunity.

Please note some travel and out of hours working will be required for business development, meetings and training purpose.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a high‑performing and innovative Private Client team.

Responsibilities of a Private Client Senior Associate/Partner

• Reporting to the Partners in the department.
• An integral part of the Private Client team, delivering on agreed cases, sourcing new opportunities and supporting the overall profile of the team.
• Proactively attracting work according to the needs of the Department and the firm in accordance with the team’s Business Development strategy.
• Provide legal advice in relation to IHT planning (including UHNW and HNW clients with some experience with multi‑jurisdictional assets), Care Home Fee planning, Wills and LPAs and Estate Administration.
• Delivery of individual targets (fees, chargeable hours, BD etc) with minimal supervision.
• Ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and building appropriate and lasting relationships with clients and referrers.
• Adherence to agreed standards, quality procedures and management systems (including the maintenance of neat and proper files on all matters to meet ISO standards so that they can be easily picked up and dealt with by other members of the Department together with any other instructions set by your Head of Department) and compliance with financial procedures and accounts rules.
• Delegation and cross referral of work effectively to appropriate personnel.
• Continually develop technical and non‑technical skills to meet client and firm requirements and demonstrate continuous improvement in all areas of work.
• Undertake and deliver work in a commercially effective manner.
• Some travel as required and out of hours working for business development, meetings and training purposes.
• Generate and maintain a network of multipliers to support the other Private Client Lawyers with strategic growth and be an active participant in the BD strategy for your office.
• Assist with the professional development and growth of junior colleagues.

Skills and experience of a Private Client Senior Associate

• Relevant Professional Qualifications.
• Minimum of 10 years PQE.
• Strong legal skills and knowledge in a Private Client setting.
• Responsible for a broad and varied caseload including Wills, Care Home Fees, IHT planning, trusts, LPAs and Estate Administration.
• Sound knowledge of all private and elderly client matters, with excellent communication skills.
• You will be proactive and passionate about your career.
• Proven results in supporting Business Development across a team or firm.
• Excellent, innovative and effective business development skills and enthusiasm.
• Working knowledge of case management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• A strong team player with a motivational hands‑on approach.
• Uses initiative, plans and organises own time and workload to meet deadlines and prioritises work.
• A measured and rational approach to problem‑solving.
• Deals confidently and diplomatically with clients and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrates integrity and congruence when dealing with people.

Competencies

• Excellent business development skills
• Delivering a quality service
• Achieve commercial outcomes
• Deliver at pace
• Collaborating and partnering
• Building capability
• Changing and improving
• Making effective decisions

Reward and development

At Buckles Law, we believe in creating a workplace where our people feel valued, supported, and rewarded. Here’s what you can look forward to as part of our team:

• Generous Annual Leave. Enjoy enhanced holiday entitlement plus all UK Bank Holidays — giving you more time to relax and recharge.
• Celebrate Your Birthday. Take a well‑deserved break on your birthday (or the closest working day) — it’s on us!
• Festive Time Off. Unwind with additional leave on Christmas Eve (full day) and New Year’s Eve (half day PM), when these fall on a contracted working day.
• Private Healthcare. Access comprehensive Bupa healthcare options for you and your family, ensuring peace of mind when it matters most.
• Healthcare Cashback Plans. Reclaim everyday health expenses like dental, optical, and physiotherapy — completely free for you and your loved ones.
• Enhanced Pension Scheme. We’ll match your contributions up to 5%, helping you build a secure financial future.
• Buy Extra Holiday. Need more time off? Purchase up to 5 additional days of annual leave each year.
• Group Life Assurance. Financial protection for your loved ones with life cover worth 4x your annual salary.

We recognise the success of every employee; working with you to ensure you have what you need to maximise your potential and develop your career.

How to apply

If you meet the criteria for this position and would like to apply, please submit an up‑to‑date CV demonstrating your skills and experience relevant for the role.

Buckles Law are an equal opportunity and disability‑inclusive employer and value diversity across the firm. We do not discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or parental or caring status.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to the recruitment process. If you would prefer to discuss this confidentially, please email [e-mail] and add the job title in the subject line of the email.