Head of Private Client

• Opportunity to build and lead a Legal 500 recognised department
• Work closely with commercial and agricultural clients to develop a strong pipeline of work
• Shape the future of the private client offering in York

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced Private Client Solicitor to step into a Head of Department role within a long-established Yorkshire law firm.

The firm has recently achieved Legal 500 recognition for its Private Client work and is now looking for a senior lawyer who can take the department to the next stage of its development. The successful candidate will play a key role in building the York presence, strengthening relationships with business owners and professional advisers, and shaping the future direction of the team.

This role would suit someone entrepreneurial who enjoys developing relationships, growing a department and mentoring junior lawyers while maintaining their own caseload.

Who we’re looking for

• Experienced Private Client Solicitor with strong technical expertise
• Proven experience managing a varied caseload including wills, probate and LPAs
• Leadership or team management experience
• Strong business development and relationship-building ability
• Commercially minded with an entrepreneurial approach
• Collaborative and team-focused leadership style
• Experience advising business owners or high-net-worth individuals (Desired)
• Experience with trusts, succession planning or tax planning (Desired)
• Existing professional relationships or introducer network (Desired)

What you’ll be doing

• Leading and developing the Private Client department
• Managing a varied private client caseload including wills, probate and LPAs
• Advising clients on estate planning and related private client matters
• Mentoring and supporting junior members of the team
• Building relationships with professional introducers and existing clients
• Increasing internal referrals from other departments
• Developing and implementing a business development strategy
• Helping grow the firm’s private client presence in York

During your first six months, you’ll focus on embedding yourself within the firm, building relationships with colleagues and clients, and assessing opportunities for growth. Over time, you’ll play a central role in shaping the department and establishing a strong reputation in the York market.

Salary & Benefits

• Hybrid working available
• Private health insurance
• Group life cover
• Critical illness cover
• Structured career development framework
• Ongoing training and professional development support

This is an opportunity to join a highly respected Yorkshire firm with a collaborative “one firm” culture, strong internal referral opportunities and a long history of advising business owners, agricultural clients and private individuals.

For the right candidate, this role offers genuine autonomy to build and lead a department while shaping the future of the firm’s private client offering.

Contact Bill Szajna-Hopgood

📩 bill.szajnahopgood@realmrecruit.com
📞 03300 245 606

Bill specialises in private client and Court of Protection recruitment across Yorkshire and can offer a confidential discussion about how this opportunity compares with others in the market.