Contentious Trust & Probate Solicitor

Here at VWV, our private client offering lies at the very heart of our firm, including our standout contentious trusts and probate practice. Our ongoing success in winning new instructions finds us looking to expand our thriving team in Bristol with a bright and pragmatic solicitor, ideally at the early stages of their post qualified career, and with a passion for trust and estate disputes. We pride ourselves on providing top-tier services to our clients, with a reputation built on excellence, integrity, and a commitment to delivering outstanding results.

The role

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your career in a market-leading contentious trusts and probate team. You'll be working alongside renowned Partners Michelle Rose and Fiona Lawrence – both ranked leaders in the field – who act as independent administrators and trustees in some of the most complex and high-value estate disputes in the country.

From will validity challenges, removal of executors, proprietary estoppel and 1975 Act claims, to trust disputes involving family dynamics and offshore structures, the work is incredibly varied and intellectually challenging. You will also collaborate closely with our non-contentious teams, particularly in estates where an estate administration has revealed a live dispute, and where litigation and estate administration work hand-in-hand.

You will be fully supported in developing your technical skills, client management, and strategic approach to litigation.

About You

You'll have a strong interest in private client law and in particular, contentious trusts and probate work and a natural appetite for resolving disputes. Ideally, you'll have completed at least one seat in contentious trusts and probate.

You'll be methodical, resilient, and comfortable navigating sensitive and often emotionally charged matters. Excellent drafting and analytical skills are key, along with a genuine desire to be part of a supportive and high-performing team.

At VWV, we're open-minded about your career path. Whether you're currently with a smaller local firm, a mid-sized regional firm, or relocating from a national firm, what truly matters to us is your ability, acumen, and aspirations within the private client field.

About Us

Whilst we're a sizeable firm with four offices in Bristol, Birmingham, London and Watford, the first thing you'll notice about us is our close-knit and friendly culture. We're not like other firms. We genuinely believe in "being genuine" both in the way we interact with each other and with our clients. That means you'll join a team, a department and a wider firm with no airs and graces or arrogance. We're a collective group of individuals each with our own unique personality, working together to deliver the very best advice to our clients, in a language we can all understand.

Our reputation

With private client work being undertaken at almost all small to large law firms nationwide, it's a testament to our strength in this field that in the South West region as a whole, we're ranked in Tier 1 for contentious trusts and probate in both Legal 500 and Chambers High Net Worth Guide. It's also noteworthy that every part of our wider private client team is recognised in the Directories, and this strength and depth across our team sets us apart from many of our competitors.

Where will I be working?

Whilst it's your experience and enthusiasm that for us are key, we'd like you to work from our office for three days (or more) of the week. In this way, you'll benefit first-hand from our warm and friendly culture that no advert can do justice! We are of course happy to discuss any specific requirements of hybrid working with candidates on an individual basis.

Why choose us?

There are so many reasons to stop and explore us further. We're known for our friendly and welcoming culture where teamwork and collaboration is key. We invite you to watch this short video on the right hand side to see what our own people have to say about us.

Here at VWV, we offer an exciting array of benefits and are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We're striving to create an environment where everyone, regardless of background, can reach their full potential. If you require any special adjustments to be made in order to be considered for this vacancy, please call our recruiter as we're happy to make the necessary adjustments and allowances.

Not sure whether to apply?

Making the next career move is one that can feel immensely daunting, we've all been there! It's more than likely you'll have one or two questions on the role or firm before you feel happy to apply. If so, please contact me, Emma Latchem-Hughes, Talent Acquisition Advisor, in complete confidence on 07340 632798 or [email protected] and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Recruitment Agencies

We are directly sourcing for this role and are not accepting any applications from agencies at this time. We politely request therefore that you do not send candidates through. Any named or anonymised profile or CV sent to us will be deemed an unsolicited approach and will be deleted.