Role – Head of Company Commercial Department
Salary – tbc on application
Benefits – The Blackstone benefit scheme including the employee bonus scheme
About Us and the role:
The award-winning team at Blackstone Solicitors are looking for individuals driven by wanting to make a difference for our clients, our employees, and our community. We are looking to recruit a qualified Contentious Probate Solicitor to join our growing Contentious Probate team.
With at least 5 years PQE, the ideal candidate will have good technical and procedural knowledge of contentious probate and inheritance disputes, alongside the ability and desire to manage their own caseload of complex and high-value matters.
You will be joining a busy legal team exposed to high-quality work, managing a caseload of complex and varied contentious probate matters, including disputes relating to wills, the administration of estates, inheritance claims and disputes between beneficiaries and personal representatives.
We are a reputable law firm based in the UK with a dedicated team of 70 staff members and growing, providing exceptional legal services to our clients. The Contentious Probate Solicitor role is a key component of the team, providing the expertise needed to deliver a great and consistent service to our clients, whilst contributing to the overall success and development of the Contentious Probate team.
You will report directly to the Partner/Head of Litigation Department and be motivated to deliver a well-run, efficient and well-organised Contentious Probate team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Adopting a tenacious and strategic approach to contentious probate matters, striving to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients whilst acting efficiently and always promoting their best interests.
- Managing a varied caseload of contentious probate matters, including disputes concerning the validity of wills, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, executor and trustee disputes, estate administration disputes, and disputes between beneficiaries.
- Advising clients on their legal position, prospects of success, litigation risks and potential costs exposure throughout the lifetime of their case.
- Preparing and drafting legal documents, including letters of claim, pleadings, witness statements, applications and other court documents.
- Conducting litigation in accordance with relevant procedural rules, court directions and applicable limitation periods.
- Exploring appropriate forms of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and negotiation, to achieve commercially sensible outcomes wherever possible.
- Assisting clients with urgent and complex matters, including disputes involving the preservation of estate assets and challenges to the validity of wills.
- Demonstrating exceptional attention to detail and maintaining accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date case records.
- Maintaining excellent communication skills and providing clear, practical and empathetic advice to clients who may be experiencing difficult family circumstances or bereavement.
- Maintaining high standards of client care, ensuring clients are kept informed of progress, developments, risks and costs throughout their matter.
- Demonstrating strong tactical legal skills, sound commercial judgement and the ability to identify opportunities to resolve disputes efficiently.
- Working closely with other teams within the firm, including private client, family, real estate, corporate and finance departments, to deliver integrated solutions to clients.
- Building and maintaining strong client relationships through exceptional service delivery and effective communication, contributing to long-term client retention and the development of the department.
- Adhering to clients’ respective SLA terms within the required time frames.
- Handling multiple cases simultaneously, ensuring that each matter is progressed professionally and within the relevant deadlines.
- Managing and prioritising a high-volume caseload in a fast-paced environment, whilst maintaining accuracy and quality of work.
- Contributing to the ongoing development and success of the Contentious Probate team through collaboration, knowledge sharing and a commitment to continuous professional development.
The Blackstone Employee Benefits Scheme
Health and Wellbeing Benefits
- Employee bonus scheme providing up to an additional 10% of your salary annually (T&Cs apply).
- Healthcare package providing:
- 24/7 GP access.
- £100 towards dental treatment.
- £100 towards glasses.
- £250 towards physiotherapy per annum.
- Annual eye tests.
- Annual hearing tests.
- Death in service insurance paying 4× your salary to your chosen beneficiary.
- Company pension.
- Pet insurance (cats and dogs only, subject to conditions).
- Counselling service.
- Monthly office massages (15 minutes per person).
- PureGym membership.
- 5 days’ sick leave (maximum of 2 occasions per year).
- Annual flu jab.
- Birthday off work.
Social Benefits
- Netflix
- Spotify
- Amazon Prime
- Apple News+
- Free conveyancing
If you are interested in this role, please click apply now and forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or contact our Head of Operations and People, Donna Goodier, on 0161 929 0121 or via email at donna@blackstonesolicitorsltd.co.uk.
