Job Description

Buckles Law 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 Bristol, Cambridge, London, Nottingham, Peterborough, and Stamford with international presence in Paris and Milan.

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 holds the LawNet Mark of Excellence, is Investor in People Gold accredited, and is a certified B Corporation, reflecting its commitment to excellence, people and responsible business practices.

Private Client Associate role:

We are excited to be recruiting for an experienced Private Client Associate to join the team in London, 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 Associate:

• 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 and 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 required and out of hours working for business development, meetings and training purposes.
• Generate, nurture and maintain a network of multipliers to support the London PC Partner 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 Associate:

• Relevant Professional Qualifications.
• Minimum of 4 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:

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

Alongside a host of development, professionally and personally, we offer some fantastic benefits, which include (but not limited to):

• 30 days annual leave + all UK Bank Holidays.
• An additional day for your birthday each year (or closest working day to your birthday).
• Additional annual leave on Christmas Eve (1 full day) and New Years Eve (half day PM) if these days fall on a contracted working day.
• Private healthcare options for you – via AXA– funded by Buckles.
• Free healthcare cash back plans for you and your family – funded by Buckles.
• Enhanced pension – 5% matched contribution by Buckles.
• Ability to buy additional holiday – up to 3 days per year.
• Group Life Assurance – 4 x your annual salary.

To apply:

Please submit an up-to-date CV demonstrating your skills and experience that are suitable for this role.

We 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 careers@buckles-law.co.uk and add the job title in the subject line of the email.