The Contentious Private Client (CPC) team at PMC has a broad practice. The majority of our cases consist of complex, high value probate dispute claims that often have an international element, including executor removal proceedings, will validity disputes and 1975 Act Claims. We also handle a wide range of domestic and international trust disputes including removal proceedings, breach of trust and negligence claims, to name a few. A large part of our case work comes from internal and external referrals as well as via PennTrust, our in-house trust corporation. We often advise PennTrust on the administration of contentious trusts or estates where PennTrust are appointed as trustees or administrators. Examples of these include the Estates of Prince Abbasi and His Exhalted Highness the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad. The team also advised in relation to the Estate of Patrik Schumacher and recently in Folds Farm Trustees Ltd and another company v Cutts and others [2024] EWHC 12 (Ch). Further, having an office in Basingstoke (Hampshire), we also advise on disputes in relation to farms, landed estates and rural businesses, including partnership disputes and claims for proprietary estoppel over farmland and associated businesses. The team also have expertise in handling COP disputes, from deputyship and statutory will applications, to disputes between and against an attorney. The CPC team is supported by the full-service offering of PMC. We work closely with our non-contentious private client colleagues as well as our specialist trusts and tax team (which includes chartered tax professionals and accountants). We also frequently work alongside our Court of Protection (COP) team, property litigation colleagues as well as our Commercial Dispute Resolution (CDR), corporate and commercial, family and immigration teams. As a practice area, CPC can touch all elements of the law. Our team hugely benefits from the wider advice from across the firm, in both this country and overseas. PMC also boasts a large Knowledge and Information team which includes both private client and CDR knowledge lawyers that can assist with technical queries as well as arranging seminars and the like. The firm also has a large internal costs team, who assist with drafting of budgets and cost schedules, as well as preparing for detailed cost assessment which saves a great deal of time for the team. Alongside this, we also have very strong administrative support from PAs to Floor Support, who assist with the management of hard copy documents and filing. This collaborative support network allows the CPC team to focus solely on the knotty probate/trust issues at hand. The Firm, and the CPC team in particular, are a personable close-knit group. We were quite thrilled when a comment in the Legal 500 described the firm as having an ‘abundance of wonderful people’! The team are headed by Michael Cash, who is described in the Legal 500 as “the leading contentious trust and estate solicitor in the country, with a very strong record both in both onshore and offshore disputes”. Sarah Lee has also been listed as a Next Generation Partner and “exceptional in every way”. The team often attend networking events to socialise and build strong connections in the area. These include various events organised by ACTAPS and ConTrA. You will be encouraged to develop and build your own internal and external network. We are looking for a Senior Associate to join the team and provide supervisory support Responsibilities Our team in London or Basingstoke are looking to hire a Senior Associate. Candidates should have good communication and organisational skills and be motivated to support a successful and growing team with an interesting and diverse client base. The role offers excellent quality work in a collegiate and supportive environment and candidates should be committed to developing their technical skills with the support of active mentoring from colleagues and the firm’s Knowledge team to service clients and develop their own careers as well as to mentoring and supporting the development of more junior members of the team. The firm operates a hybrid agile working policy allowing employees to work from home (or another UK location) for at least 50% of their time. Individuals can also apply for other flexible working options either at the time of recruitment or during the course of their employment. At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard. You can find out more about our firm’s commitment, initiatives and Pennclusion committees here. Essential & Desirable Criteria We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background. We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long-term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity. If you would like to request an adjustment, please contact Emily.Green@penningtonslaw.com