Counsel, International Trusts and Private Clients

mourant•Guernsey, WY

About The Position

We're looking for a senior lawyer with extensive experience in non-contentious trust matters to join our ambitious International Trusts and Private Client (ITPC) practice in Guernsey. Our unique ITPC practice operates as a cohesive team across multiple offices, combining exceptional non-contentious and advisory skills with specialist expertise, including Private Wealth advisory, structuring and dispute resolution. As a senior lawyer in the team, you'll be focused on providing expert legal advice to clients on Guernsey matters, guiding and supporting the development of ITPC colleagues, and enhancing our business building activities. You will be responsible for advising high net worth families, trust companies and family offices on the establishment, management and restructuring of offshore asset holding structures, as well as wider estate and succession planning. The position involves working across multiple jurisdictions to support private wealth objectives, provide guidance on trusts, foundations and related structures, and ensure effective governance for families and trustees over successive generations. In addition, you'll work closely with our colleagues in dispute resolution on trust matters, and with our corporate team, on private funds and corporate structures for private clients. You can expect high levels of responsibility and access to high value and complex work, in a friendly and supportive team, an attractive remuneration package, progression opportunities and benefits which can be adapted to suit your lifestyle. About the role Obtain clear instructions from clients, analyse points of law, provide expert legal advice and prepare relevant documentation or advice, where appropriate, for Partner review Review and provide comments on documentation provided by third parties using thorough working knowledge of relevant legal principles, laws and regulations Effectively manage own matters and provide assistance to Associates and other junior fee earners involved in such matters, regularly reviewing their progress and addressing issues. Develop the team by building strong relationships, engaging in high quality supervision and embedding a positive team ethos by leading by example. Share expertise to develop the competence of individuals within the team and to build the overall technical and professional capability of the firm globally Proactively promote and build the practice by utilising existing network connections, taking a lead role in presenting proposals to clients and/or intermediaries, looking for creative opportunities to build business, and engaging in internal and external networking opportunities. Assist the relevant Partner with the management of department Associates, Paralegals and secretarial staff, including the effective delegation of work and resources. Demonstrate effective leadership skills, working with the practice leader to communicate a clear vision and manage change initiatives, where appropriate. Ensure administrative tasks are completed on each matter in accordance with required internal procedures (e.g. conflict searching, issue of terms and conditions and engagement letters, due diligence, matter opening, time recording, billing etc.). About you Hold a Solicitor or Barrister qualification, preferably gained within a common law jurisdiction Ideally a minimum of eight years' post qualification experience within a relevant practice including some offshore experience STEP qualified Effective organisation, business building, communication and presentation skills Ability to work under pressure, often within tight deadlines Excellent grasp of the importance of commercially focussed matter management and financial performance A proactive approach to the working environment and the willingness to develop existing skills and update legal knowledge by way of additional training Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively with the direct and wider teams We are proud to be a leading offshore law-firm led professional services business, advising many of the world's leading financial institutions, corporations, public organisations, private equity houses and investment funds, as well as ultra-high net worth individuals and family offices. We believe in inclusive workplaces where everyone feels seen, heard, valued and respected. We have a strong sense of common purpose, where all our people are clear about our goals and the role they can play in achieving them. We pride ourselves in providing accessible development opportunities to all our people in a team-spirited environment, where everyone feels like they belong and can thrive. If you would like to join an award winning and forward thinking firm whose inclusive culture and values recognise that its people are fundamental to its success, we would love to hear from you. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. If you need this job description or the application form in an alternative format, or if you would like to discuss the recruitment process with our recruitment team, please email recruitment@mourant.com.

Requirements

Hold a Solicitor or Barrister qualification, preferably gained within a common law jurisdiction
Ideally a minimum of eight years' post qualification experience within a relevant practice including some offshore experience
STEP qualified
Effective organisation, business building, communication and presentation skills
Ability to work under pressure, often within tight deadlines
Excellent grasp of the importance of commercially focussed matter management and financial performance
A proactive approach to the working environment and the willingness to develop existing skills and update legal knowledge by way of additional training
Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively with the direct and wider teams

Responsibilities

Obtain clear instructions from clients, analyse points of law, provide expert legal advice and prepare relevant documentation or advice, where appropriate, for Partner review
Review and provide comments on documentation provided by third parties using thorough working knowledge of relevant legal principles, laws and regulations
Effectively manage own matters and provide assistance to Associates and other junior fee earners involved in such matters, regularly reviewing their progress and addressing issues.
Develop the team by building strong relationships, engaging in high quality supervision and embedding a positive team ethos by leading by example.
Share expertise to develop the competence of individuals within the team and to build the overall technical and professional capability of the firm globally
Proactively promote and build the practice by utilising existing network connections, taking a lead role in presenting proposals to clients and/or intermediaries, looking for creative opportunities to build business, and engaging in internal and external networking opportunities.
Assist the relevant Partner with the management of department Associates, Paralegals and secretarial staff, including the effective delegation of work and resources.
Demonstrate effective leadership skills, working with the practice leader to communicate a clear vision and manage change initiatives, where appropriate.
Ensure administrative tasks are completed on each matter in accordance with required internal procedures (e.g. conflict searching, issue of terms and conditions and engagement letters, due diligence, matter opening, time recording, billing etc.).