Family Litigation Solicitor – 7 years PQE+

Branch : Any of Ripon, Thirsk and Bedale as a base (see below for working arrangements)

We are looking for an unusual individual - a Family Solicitor (7 years PQE+) to join our team in North Yorkshire as a Family Litigation Specialist / Head of Department with responsibility for the conduct of litigation in the team and for the development of the people in the team. We have offices in the City of Ripon and the market towns of Thirsk and Bedale.

Eccles Heddon is rated the number 1 firm in the local area on Review Solicitors – many of our clients are long-standing and we have served several generations of families, aiming to ensure that we meet all of their legal needs in one place. The Family department is key to the provision of all-round legal advice. We aim for excellent client care and have a very low rate of complaints as a result.

The ideal candidate will have gained good, solid experience in all aspects of private Family Law (we do not have a Legal Aid Franchise) and will have worked extensively on financial settlements following divorce / separation. The practice has a good base and reputation for servicing Family clients including high net worth individuals. We are looking for someone who works hard with a focus on excellent solutions for clients and who will work with the other senior lawyer in the department to develop the department and modernise working methods, working with the partners and the practice manager to achieve this.

The opportunity would suit a candidate who lives in the geographical area of the practice and is currently working in Teesside / York / Leeds / Harrogate but who wishes to work in a better environment and improve their work/life balance, but it could also suit someone who lives further afield, wishes to take their career to the next stage and has a passion for litigation and particularly court work – we are open to this being a remote opportunity with potentially only one day a week in the office as well as court appearances. There is a strong support team in place and good impetus for development and change.

It is important that the successful applicant will be able to take on a senior role in this practice area and work with another senior lawyer, paralegal and Trainee Solicitor(s) as well as with secretarial support, so a solid level of experience in the area is needed. We work with speech recognition technology so experience of this method of working is preferred.

We have a friendly and helpful support team, offer an extremely competitive salary, and the opportunity to earn a generous bonus on fees received.  Although a full-time role is available part-time hours could be possible.

This is a great opportunity for the right candidate to drive their career forward in a friendly local firm with a solid client base and ambition for the future.

Please apply directly with your CV and a covering letter to Gill Saville, Practice Manager – 5 Westgate, Ripon, HG4 2AT or by email to practicemanager@eccles-heddon.com