Family Partner

Leading Mid-Sized Firm | Family Partner | Manchester

A rare opportunity to establish and lead the Manchester family practice of a well-regarded, full-service UK firm, building on an existing London team, strong cross-department referral networks, and a broad, often international, client base.

The Firm
This is a long-established, mid-sized UK law firm with offices in London, the North West, and the South West, plus active international desks serving clients across multiple jurisdictions. With over 75 years of practice, the firm advises companies, financial institutions, governments, and a significant number of high-net-worth individuals and families. It is recognised by Legal 500 and known for being relationship-led, pragmatic, and commercially aware.

Culturally, the firm combines ambition with approachability. It promotes from within, values genuine collaboration across practice groups, and takes pride in its diverse, inclusive, and people-focused environment. The Manchester office is already active across property, litigation, and corporate work, providing a ready-made platform and referral base for a dedicated family practice.

The Team
The family team in London is a specialist group whose members hold key professional accreditations including Resolution, the Law Society Children Panel, and the Law Society Advanced Family Law Panel. The team handles the full spectrum of family work: divorce and separation, complex financial remedy, private children matters, cohabitation disputes, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, civil partnership dissolution, and international jurisdictional issues. The approach is constructive and resolution-led where possible, but the team has deep litigation strength when needed.

The practice sits at the intersection of private client, property, and litigation work, meaning family lawyers regularly advise on matters with trust, tax, business, and overseas asset dimensions. The firm's commitment to LGBTQIA+ clients and modern family structures further distinguishes its outlook and client base.

The Role
You will be the founding partner for family law in Manchester. This is a strategic growth role, not a backfill. You will build and lead the practice, establishing a credible local presence while collaborating with the London team on cross-referrals and shared clients. You will manage a high-quality caseload of complex financial remedy, private children, cohabitation, and international family matters, drawing on existing relationships with the firm's property, private client, and litigation teams.

You will have the autonomy to shape the practice, recruit a team over time, and drive business development in the North West market. The firm expects you to be a visible leader, both externally and internally, and there is a clear path to equity and a genuine seat at the partnership table.

The Ideal Candidate

• Experienced family solicitor (England & Wales) with sufficient PQE and profile to step into a partnership role, or an established Partner seeking a new platform

• Strong technical grounding across financial remedy, private children, and cohabitation, with broader experience in nuptial agreements and international family law a distinct advantage

• Resolution accreditation or equivalent, with a demonstrable commitment to constructive dispute resolution

• A portable practice or clear ability to generate work and build a client following in the North West

• An entrepreneurial, commercially minded approach combined with the empathy, discretion, and communication skills essential to high-value family work

• A collaborative leader who values cross-team working and developing junior talent

What's on Offer

• The opportunity to build and lead a family practice from a credible Manchester base, with full strategic backing

• Immediate access to warm referral networks from highly active property, private client, and litigation teams

• A firm that genuinely values family law as a core practice, not an add-on

• A progressive, people-focused culture that supports long-term client relationships and professional growth

• Competitive remuneration and benefits, structured to reward growth and contribution

Apply now for a confidential conversation.