Senior Associate – Private Client
Edinburgh or Glasgow (hybrid working available)
Permanent | Full‑time (35 hours, Mon–Fri)
An award‑winning Scottish law firm is seeking an experienced Senior Associate to join its Private Client / Estate Planning team. This is a senior, visible role within a partner‑led department, offering genuine scope to lead, influence, and shape the future direction of the team.
This opportunity will suit a confident Private Client lawyer who enjoys complex, high‑quality work, values strong client relationships, and is motivated by mentoring and developing others.
You’ll work closely with Partners and a multidisciplinary Private Client team comprising Solicitors, Trainees, Paralegals and Legal Assistants. The work is varied, high calibre, and often complex, with a strong focus on executry matters, alongside wills, powers of attorney, trusts and inheritance tax planning.
Key Responsibilities:
- Managing a substantial and predominantly executry‑focused caseload with minimal supervision
- Advising clients on wills, powers of attorney, trusts and estate planning, tailored to individual circumstances
- Supervising and mentoring fee earners and support staff, including close supervision of trainees
- Providing technical guidance and internal training within the team
- Supporting Partners with team performance, financial reporting, resourcing and growth initiatives
- Contributing to business development, cross‑referrals and client relationship management
- Reviewing and improving policies, precedents and internal processes
- Ensuring compliance with regulatory, risk and professional standards
About You
- Circa 7+ years’ PQE within Private Client / Estate Planning
- Strong technical expertise across executries, wills, POAs, trusts and inheritance tax
- Proven experience supervising, delegating and reviewing the work of others
- Commercially astute with sound billing, WIP and financial management skills
- Highly organised with the ability to manage a demanding caseload
- A natural leader with a collaborative mindset and a genuine commitment to developing people
- Empathetic, professional and client‑focused, particularly when handling sensitive matters
You’ll be joining a firm recognised as a top Scottish employer for its culture, development and wellbeing, playing a key role in a growing and well‑respected Private Client practice with clear progression pathways, a high level of autonomy, strong Partner support, and a genuinely inclusive, people‑led culture.