Private client lawyer - agricultural sector

Roythornes is a commercial practice with a strong focus on agriculture and rural estates, the food sector and commercial property. We act for clients across the country and sit comfortably among the UK's top 200 law firms. We have ambitious plans for continued growth but to realise them we need the right people.

We are now looking to make a strategic appointment to a senior role in our Private Client team. The successful candidate will join private client and agricultural law specialists who are regarded as being among the best in their field. He or she will have a natural ability to manage and promote business development with energy and focus and will be prepared to travel to service our agricultural clients across the whole country. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in the complex and high level legal work associated with our specialist sector, working alongside other senior team members.

In addition the successful candidate will be expected to:

• develop new business from internal cross-referrals, existing clients and other professionals;
• develop Roythornes' and his or her own profile as a market leader advising owners of farm businesses and landed estates;
• meet agreed KPIs and exhibit a commercial approach to financial management;
• manage their own caseload and ensure full compliance.

Qualified Solicitor with at least 5 years PQE up to Partner level

• An understanding of agricultural markets and an appreciation of the specific needs of this client group
• A natural ability to promote marketing and business development initiatives
• Experience of building relationships with both new and existing clients and relevant professionals
• A positive approach to team working and ability to develop relationships with colleagues
• A demonstrable understanding the UK tax system in particular Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, SDLT plus tax and succession planning using wills and trusts
• An appreciation of areas of property law and co-ownership issues
• An ability to understand general concepts of business governance and its relevance to long term tax and succession planning
• Sound experience of agricultural tax and business structures is preferable but not an absolute requirement as this knowledge can be gained from the department, but a strong desire to learn and widen knowledge within this area will be essential
• Sound problem solving skills
• Ability to adapt to a broad range of situations and circumstances and remain calm under pressure
• Ability to act independently to a reasonably high level, but also to work with more experienced partners from other offices on more complex and specialised matters as required
• Ambition and flexibility
• A desire to bring a new angle to the team for example International tax planning, offshore and multi jurisdictional experience, Court of Protection practice, contentious probate and trusts, trust administration, agricultural law, tenancy succession
• A demonstrable ability to manage, motivate and train juniors