Ellis Jones Solicitors - Contentious Trusts and Probate Lawyer

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, dedicated, and energetic Contentious Trusts and Probate Lawyer within the Dispute Resolution Department, based out of either our Bournemouth or London office.

Our Contentious Trusts and Probate team is ranked as Band 2 for Private Wealth Disputes in Chambers & Partners High New Worth – The South and Tier 2 in Legal 500 – South West. The teams sits within our Dispute Resolution department, which is one of the largest litigation departments in the South West - ranked in Chambers & Partners and tier 1 of the Legal 500 (UK 2022) for commercial litigation.

The Firm

Ellis Jones is a progressive and expanding legal practice with over 150 staff and 22 Partners based across 6 offices in Dorset, Hampshire and London. Our culture supports and encourages career development, and this role presents a real opportunity to progress through the firm. We have defined competencies which provide a clear and measurable route towards promotion. Alongside clear career advancement, we also offer the opportunity to develop other personal skills, such as leadership, selling, and time management with our regular lunch & learn seminars and our mentoring programme. We are proud of our values and culture which permeate throughout the firm.

The Team

Our Contentious Trusts and Probate lawyers are leaders in their field, with the department being described as “tenacious and careful when considering matters of complexity and how to treat them and their clients” (Chambers & Partners, High New Worth Guide), and our Dispute Resolution department being described as “one of the best litigation firms in Dorset, Hampshire and the south-west” (Legal 500).

The Contentious Trusts and Probate team deals with a wide range of claims including: claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975; lack of capacity; lack of knowledge and approval; lack of due execution; undue influence (both claims relating to Wills and to lifetime gifts); fraudulent calumny; claims to recover unauthorised lifetime gifts; rectification claims; and claims against executors and trustees.

The team is lead by Lauren Day (Head of Department and Partner) and Victoria Riddleston (Partner). Lauren is ranked as Band 3 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Guide for Private Wealth Disputes, whilst Victoria is ranked as an Up and Coming Partner (having been ranked as an Associate to Watch for the last four years). Both Lauren and Victoria are also both named within Legal 500, with Lauren Day being ranked as a Leading Individual by the Legal 500 (UK 2022) for Commercial Litigation.

The Role

The role involves a broad range of contentious trusts and probate work including will validity claims, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, claims against executors and claims against trustees.

We offer a competitive salary. The firm is committed to rewarding our people and we are continually reviewing our staff benefits. These currently include: above average holiday (36 days including bank holidays); shareholder pension; death in service benefit; choice of two out of four of subsidised gym membership, medical cashback scheme, further pension contribution, or an additional day of holiday. As a firm we also offer various other benefits to include regular staff socials, a mentoring programme, the Ellis Jones Wish and more.

If you think that you would fit into our culture, please give us at least one example of how in a covering letter attaching your CV.