Family Senior Associate Solicitor

• Build and shape a Family offering with the backing
• True autonomy to grow your own practice, with strong internal referrals to tap into
• Hybrid working (2 days office) in a sociable, collaborative team that actually works together

This Manchester-based role is aimed at a senior family lawyer who wants more than just a seat at the table; you’ll be expected to help grow and shape the department.

There isn’t a full caseload waiting for you. Instead, you’ll step into a team with strong internal connections and referral opportunities, and the platform to build something of your own. In the early months, that means establishing your presence, tapping into internal work streams and starting to generate your own instructions through your network and reputation.

Over time, the role evolves into something much bigger. You’ll grow a consistent caseload, play a key role in the team’s direction, and have the opportunity to help take the department back to, and beyond, its previous position in the market. If you join as a Senior Associate, there’s a clear route to Partner within a relatively short timeframe.

The team itself is energetic, sociable and collaborative. People share ideas, talk through cases and genuinely enjoy working together, but there’s also a strong commercial edge. This is a firm on a growth journey, and they want people who are motivated to be part of that.

If you’re someone with a track record of winning work and the ambition to build something with proper backing behind you, this gives you the platform to do it.

Who we’re looking for

• Senior Associate or Partner-level Family Solicitor
• Strong experience in privately funded family work
• Proven track record of winning work and building relationships
• Experience handling divorce, finance and private children matters
• Strong client management and commercial awareness
• Established network or market reputation (Desired)
• Ability to build and grow a caseload
• Interest in collaborating and contributing to team growth
• Personable, sociable and team-oriented
• Ambitious and motivated to be part of a growing team

What you’ll be doing

• Building and developing your own family law caseload
• Handling a range of matters including divorce, financial remedy, private children, pre/post-nups and TOLATA
• Leveraging internal referrals and your own network to generate work
• Advising clients on complex, privately funded matters
• Contributing to the growth and direction of the Manchester family team
• Collaborating with colleagues and sharing knowledge across the team
• Attending networking events and building your profile in the market
• Optional involvement in advocacy and mentoring (depending on preference)

Salary & Benefits

• Clear progression from Senior Associate to Partner
• Hybrid working, 2 days in the office, 3 from home
• Strong internal referral network to support business development
• Opportunity to be a key decision-maker within a growing team
• Backing of a financially strong, expanding Northern firm
• Modern Manchester office with significant recent investment
• Active social scene, sports teams, and regular team events
• Charity initiatives, volunteering days and wellbeing activities (including monthly sessions)
• Inclusive culture with genuine investment in people and progression

Contact Mel Samson

📩 mel.samson@realmrecruit.com
📞 03300 245 606

If you’re at the stage where you want to build something, not just maintain a caseload, Mel can talk you through how this role could work around your ambitions.