Family Law Solicitor/Head of Location - New Office Opening
1 day ago
Bolton
Family Solicitor or Legal Executive / New Office Lead Interested in this role You can find all the relevant information in the description below. Location: Flexible across England (new office location to be agreed) Salary: Open to discussions on salary and bonus Experience: Ideally 8+ years relevant family law experience (other strong candidates considered)If youre an experienced private family lawyer who wants to build something of your own, with the backing of a respected specialist brand and a genuinely supportive culture, this is a rare opportunity.Our client is a family-owned, long-established private family law firm with a strong reputation for practical, commercially aware and client-focused advice. Due to continued success and a growing national profile, they are looking to appoint a Family Solicitor or Legal Executive to establish and lead a new office in an agreed location.This is not a standard fee earner position. You will have real autonomy to shape the local practice, recruit and develop a team, and grow a sustainable pipeline, supported by central operations, compliance, marketing and business development.Despite growth and additional offices, the firm has retained the personal, collaborative feel of a traditional family business. They are looking for a well-rounded family lawyer who combines strong technical ability and sound commercial judgement with leadership skills and a genuine business development focus.What Youll Be DoingEstablishing and leading a new office in a location agreed with the firmManaging a varied and complex private family law caseload with minimal supervisionAdvising on private children matters and financial remedy claimsAdvising on divorce, separation and cohabitation disputesAdvising on pre-nuptial, post-nuptial and separation agreementsAdvising on protective injunctions where appropriateHandling TOLATA matters where experienced (desirable, not essential)Conducting litigation and the reserved legal activities required for the roleConducting negotiations with solicitors, other representatives and litigants in personAttending client meetings, conferences and court hearings where appropriateExercising rights of audience where required and within your authorisationInstructing and working effectively with counsel and expertsMaintaining high standards of time recording, billing, costs management and complianceDeveloping a local referral network and professional profileAttending networking events and building relationships within the local communitySupporting marketing and business development initiativesIdentifying opportunities for sustainable growthContributing to decisions on the location, development and operation of the new officeRecruiting, supervising and developing colleagues as the office growsCollaborating with colleagues across the firms other officesContributing to the firms wider strategy and continued growthWhat Were Looking ForA Solicitor (England and Wales) with a current practising certificate, or a CILEX Lawyer / Chartered Legal Executive with the practising rights and authorisations required for the roleAuthorised to carry on the reserved legal activities essential to the roleSubstantial practical experience of private family lawStrong experience of private children and financial remedy mattersConfidence managing a varied and complex caseload Strong technical knowledge and practical judgementA strong billing history and clear understanding of the commercial requirements of private family workExcellent client-care, communication and interpersonal skillsClear, accurate and persuasive draftingConfidence negotiating and handling sensitive mattersStrong file management, time recording and financial disciplineConfidence using case management systems and Microsoft OfficeLeadership potential and, where applicable, experience supervising and developing colleaguesA collaborative approach and willingness to share knowledgeGenuine interest in networking, marketing and business developmentAmbition to build a sustainable local practice and teamCommitment to the firms values, culture and long-term growthWhats On OfferThe opportunity to establish, develop and lead a new office in an agreed locationThe backing of an established, specialist private family law brand with a strong reputationCentral administrative, compliance and operational supportCentral marketing and business development supportAccess to colleagues across existing offices with different areas of experience and strengthsOpen to discussions on salary and bonus (depending on experience)Full-time or part-time consideredFlexible start and finish times where operationally possiblePotential for agreed homeworking arrangements (subject to client, team and business requirements)Regular file reviews and constructive professional supportOpportunity to recruit, supervise and develop a local teamGenuine long-term progression opportunitiesPotential eligibility for a discretionary bonus scheme (subject to eligibility)Paid birthday day off (in addition to annual leave)Christmas office closure (in addition to annual leave)Opportunity to accrue additional annual leave with length of serviceWorkplace pensionDeath-in-service coverHealth cash plan, including access to a remote doctorDiscretionary rewards recognising individual achievementsInclusive staff and family social eventsWorking ArrangementsThe location and development plan for the new office will be agreed with the successful candidate, taking account of your existing network and local knowledge, local demand for specialist private family services, and the commercial viability and growth potential of the proposed location.As this is an office establishment and leadership role, you will be expected to maintain an appropriate physical presence in the agreed location, particularly during the offices initial development and when recruiting or supervising colleagues. xjlbheb Home working days can be discussed for work suited to focused remote working, such as drafting and file preparation, subject to client, team and business requirements.