Private Client Director/Partner

Job title

Principal Associate/Director

Department

Private Client

Our Purpose

To forge long-term relationships that have a positive impact on our people, our clients, our business partners, and our community.

Our Commitment to Our People

We do not think there is a magic formula to the Higgs culture. The key is to listen to and respect our people. If we take care of our people and our people take care of our clients, then everything we want as a firm will take care of itself. We are friendly and open to new ideas.

Our Core Values

Higgs core values are “CLEAR” – Care, Legacy, Excellence, Authenticity, Relationships

Role Purpose

•  Review existing estate planning documentation to include both lifetime trusts and will structures and advise in connection with the suitability of the same
• Preparation of all types of wills to include wills to absorb qualifying business assets and agricultural assets and to have an extensive understanding of the role of trusts for asset protection purposes
• An excellent working knowledge of inheritance tax
• A good understanding of capital gains tax in the context of individuals and trusts
• The ability to advise on pilot trusts associated with pension planning and life policies
• Ideally, but not essential, experience of dealing with business trusts to support cross option arrangements and an interest in wider business succession planning
• Preparation and advising in connection with Lasting Powers of Attorney and old style Enduring Powers of Attorney.  Some experience of dealing with Lasting Powers of Attorney for business owners would be an advantage.
• Dealing with termination of trusts to include when a life tenant dies, the coming of age of a beneficiary or another event ensuring that all trust closing procedures are followed together with the preparation of deeds of variation

Key Responsibilities

• Working as part of the wider private client team in supporting clients on all aspects of wealth work.
• Provide appropriate supervision and support to more junior team members with regard to their wealth caseloads to include contributing to the bi-monthly file reviews.
• Efficient administration, billing and cost recovery to include meeting agreed targets both for self and to support the team in achieving the same.
• Conduct regular reviews of debts, work in progress and disbursements and be an additional support for any issues with time recording.
• Assist in the implementation of the departmental business plan and the firm’s business plan as well as taking responsibility for contributing towards the wealth business plan and growing a professional following to lead to new work streams being introduced
• Keeping up to date with changes and developments in the law as part of continuing professional development (CPD).
• Display a desire to make a wider contribution to the business with attendance at events as required.

Person Specification

• High level of attention to detail.
• Great communication skills both verbally and written.
• Confident to take responsibility and lead on client matters.
• Able to deliver work in line with deadlines in a busy environment.
• Uphold an excellent reputation and to be a role model to others.
• Maintain a strong profile, network and continue to establish a reputation within the business community.
• Complies with all requirements of the SRA code and firm accreditations.
• Ideally STEP qualified.

What You Need to Know

Higgs offers hybrid working wherever possible. Our Higgs’ Best FIT (flexible, inclusive, together) principles are designed to ensure that people can complete their best work from the most appropriate location. If you are looking to work flexibly then let us know and we will do what we can to accommodate your request.

We encourage a ‘dress for your diary’ approach which means dressing in a manner appropriate for your schedule or the specific appointments you have on any given day.

Equal Opportunities

As charter signatories to The Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter, Higgs are committed to developing a diverse business by engaging with the widest pool of talent. We recognise this is an ongoing journey and regularly monitor our figures which can be viewed here.

People Driven. Legal Excellence.