Associate / Senior Associate Solicitor – Contentious Probate – Colchester

About us

Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) is a long-established regional law firm serving individuals, families, businesses, farmers, landowners and organisations across Essex, Suffolk and beyond.

Our mission is to Transform, Succeed, and Prosper - not only for our clients but also for our people and the wider community. We operate with integrity, innovation, and a commitment to fostering growth and opportunity for everyone within the firm. Collaboration, professionalism, and agility define our working environment, and we strive to empower our teams to deliver excellent results while supporting their personal and professional development.

As a progressive independent firm, we are committed to operating with integrity, professionalism and innovation. Through our TSP2030 strategy, we continue to invest in our people, technology and working environment, creating opportunities for our teams to develop, grow and thrive. Collaboration, agility and continuous improvement are at the heart of our culture, and we are passionate about supporting both personal and professional development while delivering outstanding results for our clients.

Role overview

Thompson Smith and Puxon LLP is seeking a Senior Contentious Probate Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX Litigator and Advocate) to join our Dispute Resolution Team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a lawyer with approximately 5-10 years' PQE and an established background in contentious probate disputes. The successful candidate will bring the expertise and confidence to manage a varied and high-quality caseload of inheritance, trust and estate disputes, whilst contributing to the continued growth of this specialist area within the firm.

The role benefits from a well-established reputation in the private client market and a strong pipeline of work, including internal referrals from our respected Wills and Estates Team. The successful candidate will also play an important role in supporting and mentoring a junior solicitor who is developing their specialism in contentious probate.

The Role

As part of the Dispute Resolution Team, you will advise and represent clients in a broad range of contentious probate matters, from initial instruction through to resolution.

You will work with individuals, families, executors, trustees and beneficiaries, providing clear, strategic and commercially focused advice during what are often complex and emotionally sensitive disputes.

The role offers the opportunity to take ownership of high-value and complex matters, develop long-term client relationships and play an active role in the growth of the contentious probate practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of contentious probate, trust and estate disputes from instruction to conclusion.
• Advise on will validity, capacity, undue influence, fraud, Inheritance Act, executor, trustee, estate administration and proprietary estoppel claims.
• Develop case strategies and provide clear advice on prospects, risks, costs and outcomes.
• Draft pleadings, witness statements, applications, correspondence and settlement agreements.
• Conduct negotiations and represent clients at mediations, settlement meetings and hearings where appropriate.
• Deliver excellent client care and maintain regular communication throughout each matter.
• Build strong relationships with colleagues, professional contacts and referrers to support internal referrals and practice growth.
• Contribute to business development, networking, seminars, articles and marketing initiatives.
• Manage files efficiently, including compliance, time recording, billing and financial performance.

Experience, skills & attributes

We are seeking an experienced contentious probate litigator with strong technical expertise, excellent client care skills and a commercial approach.

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX Litigator and Advocate), with approximately 5-10 years' PQE or equivalent experience.
• Proven contentious probate, trust and estate dispute experience, including Inheritance Act claims, probate disputes, trust litigation, CPR and ADR.
• Able to manage a caseload independently with strong drafting, analytical, advocacy and negotiation skills.
• Excellent client relationship, communication, organisation and time-management skills.
• Commercially aware, proactive and confident building relationships with colleagues, clients and referrers.

Desirable

• ACTAPS membership or accreditation.
• Private client or estate administration knowledge.
• Experience mentoring junior team members.
• Established professional network and business development experience.

Personal Attributes

• Professional, approachable and empathetic.
• Commercially aware, solutions focused and quality driven.
• Strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative, organised, resilient and self-motivated.
• Ambitious about developing a specialist contentious probate practice.

The package

We offer a competitive salary, depending on level of experience and ability.

Other benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, with an additional 3 days for the Christmas to New Year closure (pro-rated for part time staff).
• Death in service and Group income protection.
• Workplace pension scheme with Scottish Widows after 3 months’ service, including enhanced and salary sacrifice options.
• Health cash plan and employee assistance programme.
• Firm sick pay policy.
• Opportunity for additional holiday with long service.

Equal opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all communities and backgrounds. Recruitment is based on merit, skills, and suitability for the role.

To apply

To apply for this position please send your covering letter and CV to recruitment@tsplegal.com.