We are looking for an experienced and energetic Senior Associate/Partner to join our growing Estates Tax Planning and Trusts team in Watford.

If you are looking for an environment to develop professionally and collaboratively work with other driven individuals within our thriving Watford office please do get in touch.

About Us

VWV is a full service law firm ranked as a leader in both the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 directories. Our firm-wide core values of teamwork and collaboration, putting the client at the centre of the firm and taking a commercial approach ensure a dedicated and expert service to all of our clients. Our high standards have been recognised by the Law Society through Lexcel and their Conveyancing Quality schemes.

With over 400 members of staff across four offices in London, Watford, Bristol and Birmingham, we are a medium size national law firm with a commitment to the training and development of our employees at all levels. This can be demonstrated by our Bronze Investors in People accreditation. On top of this, we have the reputation of being a friendly firm with approachable staff in all areas of the business. 96% of our clients say they would recommend us which, we believe, is a strong indicator of our culture.

About the Team

Our Estates tax Planning and Trusts team is made up of 28 people across our four Offices. We work collaboratively across offices in an open plan environment.

Overall Objective

To work with colleagues to help clients succeed in realising their personal objectives, through the efficient delivery of appropriate legal advice and assistance.

Required Knowledge and Experience

Admitted solicitor, with current Practising Certificate with 5 years + PQE in Private Client work.  Ideally, the successful candidate will hold a STEP diploma and will have some tax expertise. 

Must demonstrate an ability to work to the SRA's Skills Standards and to provide accurate, focussed advice to clients.  Familiarity with and confidence in the use of office IT applications; and good typing skills. 

We expect the successful candidate to have good team working, supervisory  and collaborative skills.  We expect to see the client at the centre of the firm and for our lawyers to have a commercial approach in their work.

Skills Required

The ability to:

• draft legal documents, advice notes and give legal advice that is clear and concise
• interview and advise clients, helping them decide on the best course of action
• supervise junior members of the overall team
• develop strong client relationships
• communicate concisely both verbally and in writing with colleagues and clients
• represent the firm at BD events
• give presentations on relevant topics
• conduct effective matter management
• use confidently office IT applications; good typing skills

Tasks

Legal advice and action

• Take and record clear instructions
• Give expert advice tailored to each individual client needs
• Provide concise letters and reports for clients, written in plain language
• Provide practical solutions

Leadership

• Demonstrate awareness through action of the Firm's core values
• Develop personal profile and recognition throughout the Firm

Business generation

• Contribute to appropriate business development activities of the team and the Firm
• Wherever the opportunity arises, promote the services of teams from across the Firm to the client for whom they are acting
• Introduce new clients to the Firm
• Achieve agreed business development targets
• Identify and attend appropriate networking opportunities

Teamwork and Collaboration

• Play an active role within the team and support other team members during busy times
• Supervise and take responsibility for performance management of junior members of the team
• Involve the secretaries and other support staff in an effective way
• Take responsibility for delegated work, ask for guidance in respect of matters which are unclear and report errors which need to be resolved
• Prepare and conduct Performance Development reviews and where appropriate take responsibility for the development of staff under your supervision
• Conduct recruitment interviews where required

Financial management  (under the supervision of a Partner)

• Achieve financial and hours targets as set by Head of Department("HOD")
• Demonstrate an understanding/awareness of working capital and regular billing and refer matters as necessary in a timely fashion to the Team Leader
• Bring matters to the attention of the Team Leader and/or clients at the appropriate time and updates fee estimates accordingly
• Actively participate in / contribute to the scoping of work
• Proactively and regularly seek work from Team Leader
• Comply with the SRA Accounts Rules
• Deal promptly with any working capital exercises

Knowledge sharing

• Adopts knowledge sharing behaviours at team, department and Firm level
• Contribute to knowledge sharing initiatives to improve efficiency and profitability
• Support the team's Knowledge Champion in building and cascading knowledge sharing resources, protocols and practices
• Contribute to the development of the firm's know-how and precedents
• Demonstrate best use of precedents and know how to save time and costs

Quality standards

• Demonstrate consistent compliance with the Firm's quality policies and procedures as set out on the intranet

Learning and development

• Comply with CPD requirements and identify specific training needs
• Attend appropriate departmental training sessions
• Attend appropriate internal courses (e.g. management and IT skills)
• Provide informal and formal training as appropriate (e.g. induction, mentoring and internal team presentations) as skills develop