junior lawyer jobs

About us:

Buckles Law is an award-winning firm, that provides world-class client experience and services on a comprehensive range of legal services to both businesses and individuals in the UK and internationally.

Delivering effective and cost-efficient legal solutions from our offices based in Bristol, Cambridge, London, Nottingham, Peterborough, and Stamford with international presence in Paris and Milan.

We recognise that all this is possible due to our team of highly dedicated, enthusiastic professionals across our locations. We pride ourselves on providing a positive work environment where independent thinking and new ideas are actively encouraged and where every member of the team genuinely can make a difference.

Buckles holds the LawNet Mark of Excellence, is Investor in People Gold accredited, and is a certified B Corporation, reflecting its commitment to excellence, people and responsible business practices.

We are delighted to be recruiting an experienced Private Client Partner to join our highly successful and dynamic team in Central London. This full‑time, permanent opportunity is ideal for an accomplished Private Client lawyer with c.11+ years’ PQE who is looking to work at the forefront of the market, advising on high‑value, complex private client matters.

About the Private Client Partner role:

You will be joining a high‑performing, forward‑thinking and collaborative Private Client practice, renowned for delivering exceptional advice to a sophisticated client base. The role offers access to consistently excellent quality work and the opportunity to play a meaningful role in the continued growth and strategic development of the team.

The position will involve relationship‑led work, business development activity and external engagement, and as such some travel and occasional out‑of‑hours working will be required for client meetings, training and networking.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior Private Client lawyer seeking both high‑calibre work and genuine influence within an ambitious partnership.

Responsibilities of a Private Client Partner:

Role Overview & Team Contribution

• Report directly to the Head of Department.
• Act as an integral member of the Private Client team, delivering agreed matters, sourcing new opportunities, and supporting the overall profile and success of the team.
• Undertake work in a commercially effective manner, aligned with departmental and firm objectives.

Legal & Technical Delivery

• Manage matters efficiently with minimal supervision, meeting agreed targets for fees, chargeable hours, and performance.
• Provide high‑quality legal advice across the full range of Private Client matters, including:
• Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning, including UHNW and HNW clients and multi‑jurisdictional assets
• Care Home Fees planning
• Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)
• Estate and Trust Administration

Client Care & Relationship Management

• Deliver consistently high levels of client service and satisfaction.
• Build, nurture, and maintain strong, long‑term relationships with clients, referrers, and professional contacts.

Business Development & Growth

• Proactively attract new work in line with departmental needs and the firm’s Business Development strategy.
• Generate, develop, and maintain a network of key introducers and multipliers to support strategic growth, including supporting the London Private Client Partner.
• Actively participate in and contribute to business development initiatives for your office and the wider firm.
• Attend networking, business development events, and meetings, including occasional out‑of‑hours commitments.

Quality, Compliance & Risk Management

• Adhere to all agreed standards, quality procedures, and management systems, including:
• Maintaining accurate, well‑organised files in line with ISO standards
• Compliance with financial procedures and accounts rules
• Following departmental and firm‑wide policies and instructions

Collaboration & Supervision

• Delegate and cross‑refer work effectively to appropriate colleagues.
• Assist with the training, professional development, and ongoing growth of junior team members.

Professional Development & Flexibility

• Continuously develop technical and non‑technical skills to meet evolving client and firm requirements.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and best practice.
• Travel as required for client meetings, training, and business development activity.

Skills and experience of a Private Partner:

• Relevant professional qualifications with a minimum of 11 years’ PQE in a Private Client setting.
• Strong technical expertise across a broad caseload including Wills, Trusts, LPAs, Estate Administration, IHT and Care Home Fees planning.
• Sound knowledge of private and elderly client matters, with excellent communication and client‑handling skills.
• Proven ability to support and drive business development, demonstrating innovative and effective BD skills.
• Proactive, career‑driven, and able to use initiative to plan, prioritise, and manage workload effectively.
• A collaborative team player with a hands‑on, motivational approach, supporting colleagues and wider team success.
• Professional, measured, and diplomatic, demonstrating integrity, sound judgement, and confidence when dealing with clients and stakeholders.

Competencies:

• Excellent business development skills
• Delivering a quality service
• Achieve commercial outcomes
• Deliver at pace
• Collaborating and partnering
• Building capability
• Changing and improving
• Making effective decisions

Reward and development:

At Buckles Law, we believe in creating a workplace where our people feel valued, supported, and rewarded. Here’s what you can look forward to as part of our team:

Generous Annual Leave. Enjoy enhanced holiday entitlement plus all UK Bank Holidays — giving you more time to relax and recharge.

Celebrate Your Birthday. Take a well-deserved break on your birthday (or the closest working day) — it’s on us!

Festive Time Off. Unwind with additional leave on Christmas Eve (full day) and New Year’s Eve (half day PM), when these fall on a contracted working day.

Private Healthcare. Access comprehensive healthcare options for you and your family, ensuring peace of mind when it matters most.

Healthcare Cashback Plans. Reclaim everyday health expenses like dental, optical, and physiotherapy — completely free for you and your loved ones.

Enhanced Pension Scheme. We’ll match your contributions up to 5%, helping you build a secure financial future.

Buy Extra Holiday. Need more time off? Purchase up to 5 additional days of annual leave each year.

Group Life Assurance. Financial protection for your loved ones with life cover worth 4x your annual salary.

We recognise the success of every employee; working with you to ensure you have what you need to maximise your potential and develop your career.

To apply:

Please submit an up-to-date CV demonstrating your skills and experience that are suitable for this role.

We are an equal opportunity and disability-inclusive employer and value diversity across the firm. We do not discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or parental or caring status.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to the recruitment process. If you would prefer to discuss this confidentially, please email careers@buckles-law.co.uk and add the job title in the subject line of the email.