Contentious Trusts Associate/Senior Associate - Highly Regarded London Firm

Overview

A highly regarded London firm is seeking a Disputes Associate to join its Contentious Trusts and Probate practice within the Private Client, Tax & Immigration group. This is an excellent opportunity to work on complex, high-value and often cross-border disputes for an exceptional international client base.

The successful candidate will work closely with leading practitioners in the field, advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals, trustees, fiduciaries and family members on sensitive and often high-profile matters. The role spans the full lifecycle of contentious private client work, from pre-action advice through to High Court litigation.

Key Responsibilities

The Associate will be involved in a broad range of contentious private client matters, including:

• Challenges to the validity of wills.
• Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
• Breach of trust and fiduciary duty disputes.
• Applications for the removal and replacement of executors and trustees.
• Complex cross-border succession disputes and offshore trust litigation.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Managing a personal caseload under supervision, alongside supporting senior lawyers on complex matters.
• Drafting high-quality pleadings, witness statements, correspondence and settlement documentation.
• Liaising directly with clients, intermediaries and other stakeholders, ensuring discretion and exceptional client care.
• Preparing for and attending mediations, hearings and court proceedings.
• Contributing to business development initiatives, including events and thought leadership.

Candidate Requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in contentious trusts and probate work gained at a respected law firm.
• A strong understanding of trust, estate and succession disputes.
• Excellent academic background and strong technical legal ability.
• Highly developed drafting skills and attention to detail.
• Exposure to high-value or complex private client disputes (including cross-border matters, where possible).

Key Competencies

The role requires:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability in complex legal matters.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive client relationships with discretion and professionalism.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of the wider private wealth sector.
• Capability to manage competing deadlines and a varied caseload.
• A collaborative approach to working within a high-performing team environment.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be:

• Bright, ambitious and detail-oriented.
• Confident working with sophisticated and high-net-worth clients.
• Professional, discreet and client-focused in all interactions.
• Proactive, resilient and comfortable working in a fast-paced disputes environment.
• Interested in developing within the private wealth and contentious trusts space.

What is Offered

The role provides:

• The opportunity to join a leading contentious trusts and probate practice within a highly respected London firm.
• Exposure to complex, high-value and often international disputes.
• Direct work with experienced practitioners and sector-leading experts.
• Strong training, development and career progression opportunities.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment with access to a diverse, high-quality client base.