Family Associate / Senior Associate (12-Month FTC)

• Join a friendly, close-knit Family team with a genuinely supportive, people-first culture
• Enjoy hybrid working, flexible hours and part-time options from just 3 days per week
• Step into an Associate or Senior Associate role with potential for the contract to become permanent

Are you an experienced Family Solicitor looking for a flexible role where you can enjoy quality work, supportive colleagues and a genuine work-life balance?

This well-established South Manchester law firm is seeking a Family Associate or Senior Associate with ideally 2–6 years’ PQE to join its growing team on a 12-month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave, ideally starting in January or February.

You’ll take ownership of an existing private family caseload, primarily covering divorce and financial remedy matters, alongside children and domestic abuse work.

The priority is finding a safe pair of hands who can manage cases independently and support junior colleagues. You’ll work closely with experienced family practitioners, providing support on complex matters while helping maintain the team’s high standards of client care.

The firm has been established for around 35 years and offers a genuinely welcoming, collaborative culture. With approximately 12 people across the practice, you’ll enjoy a close-knit environment where colleagues support one another and flexibility is part of everyday working life.

There’s also potential for the position to become permanent. The firm hopes to continue growing its workload and team over the 12 months, creating an opportunity to retain the successful candidate beyond the initial contract, although this isn’t guaranteed.

Who we’re looking for

• Qualified Family Solicitor with experience managing private family matters (E)
• Experience running divorce and financial remedy cases independently (E)
• Strong technical knowledge and ability to manage matters with minimal supervision (E)
• Excellent client care and communication skills (E)
• Ability to supervise and support junior colleagues (E)
• Friendly, approachable and collaborative personality (E)
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail (E)
• Commitment to delivering high-quality, sensitive advice (E)
• Ideally 2–6 years’ PQE (D)
• Experience handling children and domestic abuse matters (D)
• Experience supporting complex financial remedy cases (D)
• Willingness to contribute to business development and networking (D)

What you’ll be doing

• Managing an existing private family caseload
• Handling divorce and financial remedy matters
• Advising on children and domestic abuse cases
• Supporting more complex financial matters
• Supervising and mentoring junior colleagues
• Building strong client relationships
• Working collaboratively with senior practitioners
• Maintaining excellent client care standards
• Supporting workload management across the team
• Contributing to business development where appropriate

Salary & Benefits

• Salary up to £55,000, depending on experience
• 12-month fixed-term contract covering maternity leave
• Potential to become permanent, subject to business growth
• Hybrid working – ideally 2 days per week in the office
• Part-time working considered from 3 days per week
• Flexible working hours around a standard 9am–5pm day
• Family-friendly approach to childcare and personal commitments
• 20 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Additional 3-day Christmas closure, not deducted from annual leave
• Healthcare cash plan
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Support with training, accreditations and conferences
• Experienced legal secretarial support
• Friendly, collaborative and non-hierarchical team
• Regular team activities and celebrations
• Opportunity to join at Associate or Senior Associate level
• Potential longer-term career development if the role becomes permanent

This is an excellent opportunity for a Family Solicitor seeking a rewarding caseload, genuine flexibility and a supportive working environment.

Whether you’re looking for a 12-month opportunity that fits around your commitments or hoping to find a longer-term home within a growing firm, this role offers the chance to make a real contribution from day one.

Contact Mel Samson
📩 mel.samson@realmrecruit.com
📞 03300 245 606

While this advert sets out the criteria applicable to each salary band, the salary guidance given is purely indicative. The precise salary offered within that band will ultimately be determined by the hirer, taking into account the individual candidate’s experience, qualifications and overall suitability for the role.