Solicitor Vacancy – Private Family Department – London

Reeds Solicitors is a well-established and highly regarded legal practice, recognised for its commitment to excellence and high standards of client care.

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Family Solicitor (minimum of 5 years PQE) to join our busy Private Family team supporting clients across London. The successful candidate will manage their own caseload of private family matters while supporting senior colleagues on complex cases. The role requires excellent client care skills, strong drafting ability, and a solid understanding of family law procedures.
The position offers the opportunity to work on a broad range of family law matters and contribute to the continued growth and development of the department.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Manage a varied caseload of family law matters including divorce, financial remedy proceedings, private children matters, and separation arrangements, including TOLATA matters.
  • Progress cases efficiently from instruction through to settlement or court determination.
  • Maintain accurate file management and ensure matters progress in accordance with court directions and timelines.
  • Provide clear, practical legal advice to clients on a wide range of family law issues.
  • Conduct client meetings, take instructions, and maintain regular communication regarding case progress.
  • Manage client expectations and provide realistic advice regarding legal options and outcomes
  • Prepare legal documentation including applications, witness statements, consent orders, and court forms.
  • Prepare for and attend court hearings where appropriate.
  • Prepare court bundles and ensure compliance with procedural requirements.
  • Liaise with counsel and assist with the preparation of briefs and hearing documentation.
  • Ensure compliance with the Family Procedure Rules.
  • Draft correspondence and settlement proposals.
  • Conduct legal research and ensure advice reflects current law and procedure.
  • Maintain high standards of file management and regulatory compliance.
  • Ensure adherence to professional standards required by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
  • Record time accurately and assist with billing and cost estimates in accordance with firm procedures.
  • Contribute to the development of the department through networking and relationship building.
  • Support marketing initiatives including seminars, articles, and professional events.
  • Develop relationships with referrers such as mediators, accountants, and financial advisers.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues within the family team.
  • Support and mentor trainees, paralegals, or junior staff where appropriate.
  • Contribute to knowledge sharing and best practice within the team.

Person Specification

  • Must hold a current Practising Certificate and have a minimum of 5 years’ PQE.
  • Must have experience handling a range of private family law matters, including TOLATA cases.
  • Experience with complex financial remedy matters.
  • Strong drafting and communication skills.
  • Ability to manage a caseload with appropriate supervision.
  • Excellent client care and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong organisational and time management abilities.
  • Be a strong team player and work to a common goal.
  • The ability to work within a high pressure, high workload environments and be resilient with the ability to cope with everchanging priorities.
  • Must be able to multi-task, think on their feet and prioritise workloads.
  • Advocacy experience in family court hearings (desirable)
  • Membership or working towards accreditation with the Resolution or the Law Society.

Salary – Competitive salary depending on experience.

Working Hours – Monday – Friday, 9:00am to 5.00pm, with one hour for lunch.

Location – London, with occasional travel where required.

Job Type – Permanent

Closing Date – We reserve the right to amend the closing date or withdraw the advert without notice prior to the closing date.

Why Work for Reeds?

At Reeds we do things The Reeds Way – a set of foundational principles that not only tell us how we run our business, but why.

Externally, it governs how we look after our clients. For example, we have developed our Service Pledge, and our whole firm works as a team to make sure we deliver on this every time. The Reeds Way also governs and guides how we try to add value to the communities in which we operate.

Internally, the Reeds Way governs our culture, the Reeds working environment, and the working life and career that we offer to all Reeds people – About Us – Reeds Solicitors

We are a forward thinking, dynamic, Leading Top Tier Legal 500 company, who put their clients and employees first. We are a fun and flexible firm with good opportunities for development and career progression, in fact we have been award-shortlisted for our flexible working and wellbeing policies. We expect a lot from our employees but in return we offer:

  • A culture of respect for colleagues and the best possible service for our clients.
  • Employee assistance programme with access to physical, mental and emotional health advice & webinars, wellbeing videos and programmes, online counselling & mini health check
  • We safeguard a non-negotiable culture of respect for and between colleagues;
  • We offer a transparent and fair career development structure with opportunities for all lawyers and fee-earners to progress through the stages and become an Associate, Senior Associate and hopefully Partner;
  • All our people – and that means all our people – constantly undergo training and development via The ‘Reeds Academy’ which helps everyone achieve their career goals and get to where they want to be professionally, and to enhance their business skills and knowledge;
  • We encourage all our staff to think about business development and look for growth opportunities. We are always willing to listen to, and potentially invest in, new ideas;
  • We offer competitive salary and benefit packages and have a transparent annual review process which considers your whole contribution to your team and the Firm, not just billing figures;
  • We offer to all staff a discretionary bonus scheme for exceptional performance as well as performance related bonuses;
  • We offer flexible working schemes which include compressed 4 day weeks, 9 day fortnights and TOIL (time off in lieu), as well as a true commitment to hybrid working;
  • You will enjoy the ability to earn up to 30 days of holiday with years of service (standard holiday packages start at 21 days plus all bank holidays);
  • There is an additional paid celebration day for you to use as you would like (such as a birthday, anniversary or other key event);
  • You will have the ability to buy a further 5 days of holiday, and sell surplus holiday, each year;
  • Discretionary additional holiday days are given at Christmas (up to a maximum of 2 days);
  • We give you private medical health care with the option to upgrade and add optical and dental care;
  • Discounted gym membership is available, through private medical insurance;
  • We offer an employee assistance programme with access to physical, mental and emotional health advice & webinars, wellbeing videos and programmes, online counselling & mini health checks;
  • The Cycle To Work scheme is available, including e-bikes;
  • Fresh fruit baskets are placed in each office on a weekly basis.

Read more about Reeds Solicitors here.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, or would like further information, please email [email protected] with the job title clearly stated in the subject line.

 

Location:

City of London