Here at VWV, our private client offering lies at the very heart of our firm.  Our ongoing success in winning new instructions finds us looking to expand our thriving team in Bristol with a bright and pragmatic private client solicitor, ideally at the early stages of their post qualified career. We pride ourselves on providing top-tier services to our clients, with a reputation built on excellence, integrity, and a commitment to delivering outstanding results.

The role

Joining the Private Client department, headed up by our highly acclaimed Partner, Michelle Rose, the most striking feature of our private client work is its quality. This particularly unique role is in our independent administration sub team which sits between our contentious probate and estate administration teams. In your role, you'll work closely with both, Michelle and Fiona Lawrence (Partner), advising a wide range of clients on private client matters related to the administration of  often complex estates.

The national reputation of our Partners Michelle Rose and Fiona Lawrence means that they receive referrals from fellow practitioners, specialist Chancery Counsel and mediators to be appointed as independent administrators and trustees in complex, high-value deadlocked estates and trusts. They are supported by an integrated team of contentious and non-contentious specialist private client practitioners, who assist in project-managing different phases of the disputed administration process or trust dispute through to resolution. You will have the opportunity to join this highly-rated and specialist team, to be supported and supervised by experienced lawyers including Partner Leila Goodarzi and to thrive in an environment that values expertise, fosters professional growth and encourages a collaborative and innovative approach to estate administration.

About you

Even if you haven't worked in this niche area of private client law, you'll have a strong interest in this type of work, and attention to detail is key. You'll be committed to delivering a high-quality service to our clients and, due to the nature of these estates, you'll have an interest in managing conflict. You'll have completed at least one seat in private client law, ideally including estate administration.

At VWV, we're open-minded about your career path. Whether you're currently with a smaller local firm, a mid-sized regional firm, or relocating from a national firm, what truly matters to us is your ability, acumen, and aspirations within the private client field.

About us

Whilst we're a sizeable firm with four offices in Bristol, Birmingham, London and Watford, the first thing you'll notice about us is our close-knit and friendly culture. We're not like other firms. We genuinely believe in "being genuine" both in the way we interact with each other and with our clients.  That means you'll join a team, a department and a wider firm with no airs and graces or arrogance. We're a collective group of individuals each with our own unique personality, working together to deliver the very best advice to our clients, in a language we can all understand.

Our reputation

With private client work being undertaken at almost all small to large law firms nationwide, it's a testament to our strength in this field that in the Legal 500 (2024) in the South West region as a whole, we're ranked tier 2 for personal tax, trusts and probate work, and tier 1 for contentious trusts and probate. In addition, we're ranked tier 1 in Chambers High Net Worth for contentious trusts and probate. It's also noteworthy that every element of our private client team is recognised in the Directories, and this strength and depth across our private client team sets us apart from many of our competitors.

Where will I be working? 

Whilst it's your experience and enthusiasm that for us are key, we'd like you to work from our office for three days (or more) of the week. In this way, you'll benefit first-hand from our warm and friendly culture that no advert can do justice! We are of course happy to discuss any specific requirements of hybrid working with candidates on an individual basis.

Why choose us?

There are so many reasons to stop and explore us further.  We're known for our friendly and welcoming culture where teamwork and collaboration is key. We invite you to watch this short video on the right hand side to see what our own people have to say about us.

Here at VWV, we offer an exciting array of benefits and are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity.  We're striving to create an environment where everyone, regardless of background, can reach their full potential. If you require any special adjustments to be made in order to be considered for this vacancy, please call our recruiter as we're happy to make the necessary adjustments and allowances.

Not sure whether to apply?

Making the next career move is one that can feel immensely daunting, we've all been there! It's more than likely you'll have one or two questions on the role or firm before you feel happy to apply. If so, please contact me, Emma Latchem-Hughes, Talent Acquisition Advisor, in complete confidence on 07340 632798 or elatchem-hughes@vwv.co.uk and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Recruitment Agencies

We are in a period of exclusive direct sourcing for this role and are not accepting applications from agencies. We politely request therefore that you do not send candidates through. Any named or anonymised profile or CV sent to us will be deemed an unsolicited approach and deleted.