Senior Associate – Private Client

Senior Associate – Private Client

Edinburgh or Glasgow (hybrid working available)
Permanent | Full‑time (35 hours, Mon–Fri)

An award‑winning Scottish law firm is seeking an experienced Senior Associate to join its Private Client / Estate Planning team. This is a senior, visible role within a partner‑led department, offering genuine scope to lead, influence, and shape the future direction of the team.

This opportunity will suit a confident Private Client lawyer who enjoys complex, high‑quality work, values strong client relationships, and is motivated by mentoring and developing others.

You’ll work closely with Partners and a multidisciplinary Private Client team comprising Solicitors, Trainees, Paralegals and Legal Assistants. The work is varied, high calibre, and often complex, with a strong focus on executry matters, alongside wills, powers of attorney, trusts and inheritance tax planning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing a substantial and predominantly executry‑focused caseload with minimal supervision
• Advising clients on wills, powers of attorney, trusts and estate planning, tailored to individual circumstances
• Supervising and mentoring fee earners and support staff, including close supervision of trainees
• Providing technical guidance and internal training within the team
• Supporting Partners with team performance, financial reporting, resourcing and growth initiatives
• Contributing to business development, cross‑referrals and client relationship management
• Reviewing and improving policies, precedents and internal processes
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory, risk and professional standards

About You

• Circa 7+ years’ PQE within Private Client / Estate Planning
• Strong technical expertise across executries, wills, POAs, trusts and inheritance tax
• Proven experience supervising, delegating and reviewing the work of others
• Commercially astute with sound billing, WIP and financial management skills
• Highly organised with the ability to manage a demanding caseload
• A natural leader with a collaborative mindset and a genuine commitment to developing people
• Empathetic, professional and client‑focused, particularly when handling sensitive matters

You’ll be joining a firm recognised as a top Scottish employer for its culture, development and wellbeing, playing a key role in a growing and well‑respected Private Client practice with clear progression pathways, a high level of autonomy, strong Partner support, and a genuinely inclusive, people‑led culture.