Senior Associate/ Legal Director

Term: Permanent

Working hours: Full time

Department: Private Client

Location: Saffron Walden

The Firm

Tees is a Top 200 UK law firm, with over 400 dedicated professionals across our five offices. We offer expert legal services and independent financial advice to a wide range of clients, including individuals, businesses, professional partnerships, charities, schools, multi-academy trusts, and national corporations.

Founded in 1913, Tees has grown from a traditional family firm with strong community roots into a modern, forward-thinking practice. Our vision is simple: to be the firm of choice for exceptional service, quality of life and doing business responsibly.

At Tees, we believe in open, honest, and empathetic communication. No matter how complex the situation, we offer clear, long-term solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Drawing on over a century of experience, we proactively anticipate challenges and share insights to help our clients achieve a better future.

Our mission: helping people to a better future

About the role

Due to continued growth and ambitious expansion plans, we are seeking an experienced Senior Associate, Legal Director or Partner to lead and develop our Private Client offering from our new Saffron Walden office.

This is a unique opportunity for an entrepreneurial and commercially minded Private Client specialist to take ownership of an established and growing practice, shaping its future direction while delivering exceptional advice to a high-net-worth client base. The successful candidate will play a key strategic role in developing the Saffron Walden office, enhancing our market presence, and further strengthening and expanding our Private Client offering.

Working closely with senior leadership, you will have the autonomy to drive growth, strengthen client relationships, mentor and develop talented lawyers, and contribute to the long-term success of the firm.

What this role would include

• Leading and growing the Saffron Walden Private Client practice, establishing it as a market-leading service in the region.
• Overseeing the provision of a high-quality, tailored and supportive legal service to a broad range of clients, including high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners and trustees.
• Managing a varied caseload of complex Private Client matters, including wills, trusts, estate planning, succession planning, tax advice, powers of attorney and estate administration.
• Developing and implementing a strategic growth plan for the team, identifying opportunities to expand services, increase market share and strengthen the firm's profile.
• Building and maintaining strong client and referrer relationships, acting as a trusted adviser and ambassador for the firm.
• Leading, mentoring and developing members of the Private Client team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Supporting wider business development initiatives, networking activities and community engagement to drive new opportunities.
• Working closely with the Head of Department and fellow Partners to help achieve the firm's strategic objectives and contribute to the overall leadership of the business.
• Playing an active role in the recruitment, retention and development of talent within the team.

What we are looking for

While the following skills and qualifications are beneficial, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every requirement:

• A qualified Solicitor in England and Wales with significant experience in Private Client law, ideally at Senior Associate, Legal Director or Partner level.
• A strong technical background across the full spectrum of Private Client matters and a proven ability to manage complex, high-value cases.
• Demonstrable experience leading, mentoring and developing successful teams.
• A commercially astute and strategic thinker, capable of providing pragmatic legal advice aligned with clients' personal and business objectives.
• A proven track record in business development, networking and building long-lasting professional relationships.
• An entrepreneurial mindset with the ambition and drive to grow and enhance a thriving Private Client practice.
• Excellent communication, leadership and relationship-management skills.
• STEP qualification (or a desire to obtain it) would be advantageous.

Why join us

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a forward-thinking and ambitious firm at a pivotal stage of growth. You will have the platform, support and autonomy to make a lasting impact, build upon an excellent reputation, and shape the future of our Private Client offering in Saffron Walden and beyond.

Our commitment to you

At Tees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and career development, including:

Professional development: Access to training programmes and a wide range of career development resources.

Health and wellness: Wellness initiatives and mental health support to help you thrive both in and out of work.

Financial benefits: Competitive salaries and discretionary payments.

Supportive work environment: An inclusive, collaborative culture that values diversity and encourages everyone to contribute and grow.

Work–life balance: Generous annual leave, plus your birthday off to celebrate in your own way, with the option to purchase additional holiday for even greater flexibility.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, inclusive of age, ethnicity, religion, disability status, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, socioeconomic background, caregiving responsibilities, and any other lived experience that makes you uniquely you.