Associate

PQE: 7-8 Term: Permanent Working hours: Full-time Team: Private Client Location: Bath Specialism: Probate The firm

As one of the UK’s Top 100 law firms with offices in London, Bristol, Southampton, Swindon and Bath, Thrings’ strategic growth over the past five years has provided a platform to build on the commercial focus of the firm and to offer the complete service for businesses and their owners. Thrings offers specialist advice in sectors such as Aerospace and Defence, Agriculture, Energy and Waste, Innovation and Technology, and Financial Services from partner-led teams whose expertise matches that found in much larger City firms.

The team

The private client team has expertise in high end tax and wealth planning, asset management and investment issues. The residential property team works with bespoke and high value purchases and sales, letting and funding, refinancing and transfer of equity. The family team has extensive experience in all areas of relationship issues including those that arise from families in business.

Purpose of the role

We are looking for a senior lawyer with long term experience in Private Client to include, administration of estates, complex trusts and tax planning and will drafting to deal with complex matters in the team and assist the practice area leader with the supervision of junior team members.

We are considering Associate level candidates, or Legal Directors. The ideal candidate will be circa 7 years PQE as a minimum.

Responsibilities

Strategic

Able to develop an effective strategy for the work area of specialism, that aligns with the overall firm strategy.  Plays a positive role in change, is supportive of this process even where it goes against the individuals preferences - focusing on the overall firm achievement.

Leadership / Management

Understands the capabilities within the team using a commercial mindset to produce the optimum success for the team through profitability.  This is achieved through working closely with the team to identify not only technical skills but leadership or management skills which can be allocated at the best possible level to achieve the profitability sought.

 Client/Supervising Services

Responsible for the firm’s relationship with Clients. Effectively manages the Client expectations in terms of regulatory requirements (such as money laundering procedures), and bill payments or credit options. 

Provide expert and bespoke advice to clients in accordance with technical area of specialism; liaising with clients, colleagues/Client Partner (where appropriate) and any relevant professionals in accordance with the Thrings behaviours and values.

Focuses on profitable work, confident and tactful in responding to low value instructions managing Client expectations, delegating or referring this work elsewhere.

 Team

A team player, building strong working relationships with the core team, the wider sector group, across the firm and the Partnership.  Plays an active role in the full client service including cross-team referral of work.

To develop into a supervisory role towards team members, delivering reward messaged or feeding back performance concerns, challenges/praises behaviours where appropriate.

 Regulatory

Understands and cooperates with internal firm procedures,

Comply with policies and practices including Risk, money laundering, the Firm’s office manual and regulatory requirements external to Thrings such as the SRA Code of Practice.  Take responsibility for understanding these requirements, and promote the importance of these responsibilities to colleagues.

 Targets

Focus and manage personal target and regulary achieve these and exceed.  Be responsible for the targets of those where there is direct line management.

 Business Development

Identify and secure opportunities for work from existing clients of the firm in conjunction with colleagues.

Plan and engage in targeted business development activities to obtain new clients for own practice area and sector, and for other areas within Thrings. Build network of client referrers, understand the market place both locally and regionally. Build a strong understanding of the other business areas and people within the firm for effective internal referrals.

 Understanding and Learning

Take responsibility for achieving all forms of continuous professional development.  Meets the SRA (or other relevant regulatory body) requirements, and ensure continued personal growth in the technical area of expertise to meet the teams strategic objectives. Take responsibility for the growth of others, sharing knowledge and accepting and giving feedback constructively.

Skills and experience

• Qualified Solicitor
• A demonstrable track record in building turnover whilst also building strong relationships with colleagues, clients, target clients and referrers.

Demonstrable experience in some of the following:

• Being a strong ambassador for the department and firm within both the local community and beyond;

• Attendance of events and meetings in order to build a strong network of clients and referrers

• Interpersonal skills and ability to mix with and develop a rapport with a wide range of personalities and people from different backgrounds;

• Managing and making the most out of a marketing budget for a department and evaluating the success of business development initiatives;
• Thinking laterally and to think up interesting and creative angles for PR and articles which will get the department’s work noticed;

Desirable:  

• The firm broadly expects a client following would be good but not essential

Benefits on offer at Thrings:

There are many benefits to working at Thrings: Our culture and best practice in all our working relationships provide the key elements that contribute to Thrings being a great place to work. 

In addition, you will receive a competitive salary, core benefits including life assurance, private medical cover and health cash plans, 25 + days holiday (dependent on role) and a flexible benefits package.