About The Role
Harrison Clark Rickerbys (HCR) is a top 60 law firm with one of the largest and most experienced Private Client teams in the country. Our team has a strong track record in managing high-net-worth (HNW) clients and complex case work. The high quality of work is matched by the calibre of individuals within the team, many of whom are recognised in Chambers and have received numerous accolades. This environment ensures that the successful candidate will be surrounded by experts in the field, fostering an excellent opportunity for career growth under HCR's guidance and support.
Our Contentious Trusts & Probate (CTP) specialists operate across the country, supporting and partnering with our Private Client team to offer expert advice and solutions to our clients. Our office in Cambridge or London are key hubs for these services, and we are excited to welcome a new Senior Associate / Partner to our growing team.
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior Associate / Partner (Contentious Trusts & Probate Lawyer) to join our dynamic and highly respected team in either Cambridge or London. In this role, you will lead our CTP offering in the East and be key part of our local private client team, supporting and partnering with colleagues and clients to navigate the complexities of contentious trust and probate matters. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your career with a top-tier firm and make a meaningful impact in a diverse and challenging field.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a diverse caseload of contentious trust and probate matters.
- Provide expert advice on all aspects of Contentious Trusts and Probate, including:
- Claims for financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
- Challenges to the validity of wills, encompassing issues such as undue influence, capacity, execution, and rectification.
- Removal and replacement of executors, personal representatives, and trustees.
- Handling disputes with executors, especially in situations where executors are reluctant to administer estates.
- Advising disappointed beneficiaries and resolving disputes between executors and beneficiaries.
- Specialising in farming will disputes, particularly those involving farmland and assets.
- Addressing breaches of trust and professional negligence claims related to will drafting.
- Collaborate effectively with our Private Client team to ensure seamless service delivery and optimal outcomes for our clients.
- Mentor and support junior team members, contributing to their professional development and the overall growth of the team.
- Engage in business development activities to enhance the firm’s reputation and expand our client base.
About You
Qualifications and Experience
- Qualified Solicitor with at least 6 years of post-qualification experience in Contentious Trusts & Probate.
- Proven track record of handling complex contentious trust and probate cases.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide clear and practical advice to clients.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a focus on building and maintaining strong client relationships.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
- Ambitious and self-motivated, with a keen interest in business development and contributing to the growth of the practice.
- ACTAPS member
- Confident supervising team members or Management experience.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Opportunities for career advancement within a leading legal firm.
- A supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and fosters professional growth.
- Access to ongoing training and professional development programs.
- Smart working arrangements.
- Part time working welcomed.
About Us
Benefits of working with us:
- Income Protection
- Private Medical Insurance
- Sight tests / Glasses discounts
- Bonus scheme
- Electric vehicle scheme
- Scottish Widows Pension Scheme
- 27 days annual leave (plus public holidays)
- Happy People / Perks at Work benefits portal
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Life Assurance
- 1/3 gym membership contribution
- Flu vaccinations
Is HCR the smart move for you?
HCR suits people who love a challenge and want to work in an environment where careers thrive on the back of hard work and personal merit. Our people enjoy feeling part of something bigger than themselves, and whilst our clients drive our development, it is our people who bring their energy, enthusiasm, and entrepreneurial mindsets together to solve problems and help our clients succeed.
Why HCR people love their jobs
Our people tell us they enjoy working on good quality, interesting matters from a wide variety of our clients, because they get the experience they want to develop their careers. We will give you responsibility early, the mandate to make things happen and we’ll back your good ideas. Our “Passion for People” lives and breathes every day throughout the firm as our peoples’ energy and sense of fun create a warm environment in which to thrive.
What career progression will HCR offer you?
HCR’s growth constantly creates opportunities for people who want to go places and make a difference, your career plan can become part of our growth plan. At HCR you can expect to work with friendly, energetic, ambitious people, who love getting stuck into a client problem, and enjoy celebrating a good outcome. Our people value the sense of community provided by the individual personality of each office and the collegiate approach across all our service and sector teams.
What does HCR believe, achieve and stand for?
As a Times Best Law firm, among the UK Top 60, we provide the full range of services that you would expect to organisations, business leaders and individuals. However, in our mission to give everyone the opportunity to experience a different kind of legal service we take an entrepreneurial approach. We’re flexible and responsive to the needs of our clients, delivering the best outcomes for them. We have more than 800 lawyers and support staff, including more than 150 partners, and have been awarded the Law Society’s Lexcel quality mark in recognition of our compliance and client care standards.
With ten offices in England and Wales our well-established presence stretches from west to east, ensuring clients can access a full-service legal offering no matter where they’re located. We’ve expanded significantly in Birmingham, Cardiff and the Thames Valley, and our merger with Hewitsons resulted in a full service regional hub being established in the heart of the Waterside innovation area centre of Northampton. Our London and Cambridge continue to grow apace.
With solid connections in the communities we work in, and a track record of delivering legal advice to businesses and individuals throughout the areas we base ourselves in, our clients continue to value our approach to providing legal advice, in the way they need, when they need it.
As HCR is an equal opportunities employer, we don’t just accept differences, we celebrate them. We want to attract a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and skills to create a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and which works together to achieve the best outcome for our clients.
We also want you to achieve your absolute best during the recruitment process. Please let us know of any changes we can make at any point that will help support your application. If this opportunity sounds of interest to you, please make an application and submit your CV.
A note for recruitment agencies – The HCR Resourcing Team is responsible for recruitment across the firm, and where possible will use direct hiring methods. We do work with a Preferred Supplier List, and where appropriate, we will release vacancies to those agencies who we deem most appropriate to support us. Only those agencies will be invited to submit candidates via our recruitment portal. Any speculative or unsolicited CVs sent to any employee or Partner of HCR will not be considered an introduction, and no fees will be applicable. Furthermore, we retain the right to pursue these candidates without query of ownership