Contentious Trusts & Probate Senior Associate

Contentious Probate Senior Associate | 4+ PQE | Manchester

When a will is challenged on grounds of capacity, when a sibling alleges undue influence, or when an estate administration breaks down into acrimony, the lawyer in the middle of it needs to be more than technically sharp. They need to lead. This specialist Manchester practice is looking for a Senior Associate who can take ownership of the firm's most complex and sensitive disputes, mentor junior colleagues, and play a key role in shaping the next phase of the firm's growth.

The firm launched with a clear mission: to bring top-tier contentious probate expertise into a modern, tech-enabled, client-focused environment, and it has done exactly that. The caseload is busy, the instructions are varied, and the team is growing. What it needs now is a senior lawyer who can help drive standards, deepen client relationships, and contribute to the strategic direction of the practice.

The opportunity
You will work directly alongside the head of department, taking the lead on the firm's most demanding matters. You will supervise and develop junior fee earners, set the tone on case strategy, and be a visible presence in the Manchester market. Business development will be part of your remit, not as an afterthought, but as a core part of building your own profile and the firm's reputation.

Because the firm is still relatively young, your voice will carry real weight. You will have the chance to influence how the practice operates, from the technology it uses to the way it structures client service. If you have ambitions to step into a leadership or partnership role in the future, there is a clear path here.

The work
You will manage a caseload weighted towards the complex and the high-value. Your matters will include:

• Will validity challenges, including capacity and undue influence

• Inheritance Act 1975 claims involving substantial estates

• Contentious trust disputes and equitable estoppel claims

• Administration disputes, including executor removal and breach of fiduciary duty

• Financial abuse investigations and lifetime gift challenges

You will act as the primary client contact on your own cases, while also supporting the head of department on the most strategically important mandates. You will negotiate settlements, represent clients at mediations, and appear at court when appropriate. You will also contribute to the firm's know-how, precedent development, and the adoption of legal technology that improves efficiency and client outcomes.

About you
You are a qualified solicitor with significant experience in contentious probate and inheritance disputes. You are comfortable managing a demanding caseload with minimal supervision, and you have the judgement to know when to escalate or collaborate. You have experience supervising or mentoring junior lawyers, and you take satisfaction from developing others. You communicate with clarity and compassion, and you understand that in this area of law, the client relationship is as important as the legal argument. You are ambitious, but you are also grounded. You want to be part of building something, not just maintaining it.

What's on offer

• A senior role within a specialist, tech-forward contentious probate practice in Manchester

• The autonomy to lead on complex matters and the support to develop your own profile

• A clear pathway to leadership, with genuine influence over the firm's strategic direction

• A collaborative, close-knit team where your contribution will be visible and valued

• Competitive senior-level remuneration, hybrid working, and a commitment to professional development

Apply now for a confidential conversation.