Posted 30 July, 2026
Partner & Head of Wills, Trusts & Estates Disputes - Bristol - Up to £130,000 - Legal 500 &a
qed legal
Bristol, ENG, GB
Full Time
Job Description
Partner – Head of Wills, Trusts & Estates Disputes (Contentious Probate)Salary: Up to £130,000 + Bonus + Excellent BenefitsAn exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Contentious Probate Partner, or an ambitious Legal Director / Senior Associate ready to step into Partnership, to lead and shape the future of a nationally recognised Wills, Trusts & Estates Disputes practice within an award-winning Legal 500 law firm.This is far more than a traditional Partner appointment, but rather an opportunity to become the driving force behind a specialist practice, with the autonomy, investment and support to build something truly exceptional.Recognised in both the Legal 500 and Chambers High Net Worth Guide, the firm's Private Client offering enjoys an outstanding reputation for advising high-net-worth individuals, families, trustees and executors on complex and often high-value disputes.Supported by a strong national presence and international offices in Europe, the team regularly advises on sophisticated cross-border matters rarely found outside the UK's leading private wealth practices.The Opportunity:You will take responsibility for leading and developing the firm's national Wills, Trusts & Estates Disputes offering, working alongside an established and highly regarded Private Client department that generates significant internal referrals.The role offers true autonomy to shape the direction of the practice, mentor and develop lawyers, and play a key role in the firm's continued strategic growth.You would advise on a broad range of complex contentious probate matters, including:\n
- \n
- Inheritance Act claims \n
- Will validity disputes, including capacity and undue influence \n
- Trust and trustee disputes \n
- Executor and personal representative disputes \n
- Proprietary estoppel claims \n
- Court of Protection litigation \n
- Construction and rectification claims \n
- Complex domestic and international estate disputes \n
- \n
- Salary up to £130,000, dependent on experience, billings and business development credentials \n
- Discretionary individual and team bonus scheme \n
- Hybrid working (two days working from home following probation) \n
- 30 days' annual leave plus bank holidays \n
- Birthday leave, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve leave \n
- Private healthcare \n
- Enhanced matched pension contributions \n
- Genuine autonomy to build and lead a national specialist practice \n
- High-net-worth, complex and often multi-jurisdictional work \n
- Clear strategic investment in the growth of the department \n
- \n
- Substantial expertise in Wills, Trusts & Estates Disputes \n
- Strong reputation within the market \n
- Business development capability and commercial awareness \n
- Experience supervising and developing lawyers \n
- Ambition to lead and grow a HNW specialist practice \n
