NQ-3 Private Family Solicitor

• £40,000–£55,000 plus a discretionary bonus of up to 20% of salary
• Work directly alongside experienced Partners on complex, high-value private family matters
• Progression based on ability rather than tenure, with a proven track record of Solicitors progressing rapidly through the firm

For an ambitious junior Family Solicitor, the quality of the lawyers you learn from and the work you’re exposed to can make a huge difference to the direction of your career.

This Knutsford opportunity gives you both. You’ll join one of the North West’s leading specialist family practices, working closely with Partners and senior lawyers on privately funded matters including complex financial remedies, HNW cases, pre- and post-nuptial agreements and private children work.

You won’t be expected to arrive and immediately build a large standalone caseload. Your first year will be focused on learning, co-working on sophisticated matters and gradually increasing your client and court exposure, with billing expectations relaxed while you develop.

There’s significant scope to progress once you’re ready. Promotions are driven by ability rather than simply years served, and there’s a strong track record of lawyers joining at junior level and progressing through the firm. You’ll also be encouraged to develop your profile through networking, articles, videos and wider business development.

Who we’re looking for

• Newly Qualified Solicitor to 3 years’ PQE (E)
• Family law experience gained through a training seat, paralegal role or post-qualified work (E)
• Strong academics and excellent attention to detail (E)
• Technically capable with a genuine desire to keep learning (E)
• Excellent communication and client-care skills (E)
• Proactive and willing to take responsibility (E)
• Collaborative approach and willingness to support the wider team (E)
• Commercial awareness and an interest in contributing beyond your individual caseload (E)
• Ambitious, hard-working and motivated by progression (E)
• Receptive to feedback and keen to learn directly from more experienced lawyers (E)
• Private family law experience (D)
• Exposure to divorce, financial remedy or private children matters (D)
• Legal aid family experience providing a strong technical grounding (D)

What you’ll be doing

• Co-working with Partners and senior lawyers on complex private family matters
• Gaining exposure to mid and high-net-worth financial remedy cases
• Supporting divorce and financial proceedings
• Working on pre- and post-nuptial agreements
• Advising on complex private children matters
• Conducting legal research and drafting
• Preparing court documentation and bundles
• Attending client meetings and court hearings alongside experienced lawyers
• Gradually taking ownership of your own matters as your experience develops
• Increasing your advocacy responsibilities over time
• Building your professional profile through networking and business development
• Contributing to marketing activity including articles, blogs or video content

Salary & Benefits

• £40,000–£45,000 at NQ level
• £45,000–£55,000 at 1–3 PQE
• Discretionary bonus scheme offering the potential to earn up to 20% of salary for achieving chargeable-hour expectations
• Bonus calculated on cash collected and paid monthly
• Direct access to experienced Partners and senior family specialists
• Hands-on training and mentoring
• Clear progression pathways with no obvious bottlenecks above you
• Promotions based on capability and readiness rather than PQE alone
• High-quality private family work without a Manchester city-centre commute
• Quality-over-quantity approach to caseloads
• Relaxed billing expectations during your first year while you develop
• Sustainable working culture where late evenings are the exception
• 5:00pm finish on Fridays
• Pragmatic flexibility once established within the team
• Flexibility around commitments such as school drop-offs
• 3 or 4-day working arrangements considered
• Strong incoming workflow and long-term growth

The role is primarily office-based across Knutsford and Altrincham, particularly during your initial development period, so you can maximise your exposure to senior lawyers and learn through working closely with the team. Some home working may be available longer term once you’re established.

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

Mel specialises in family law recruitment across the North West and can give you a clear picture of the team, progression available and how this opportunity compares with other junior Private Family roles currently on the market.

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.