Head of Family Law
The Role
An established law firm is looking to appoint an experienced Head of Family to lead and develop its Family Law department in Bristol.
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior Family Solicitor with strong technical expertise, leadership experience and a proven ability to build client relationships. You will take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the department, oversee a varied family law caseload and play a key role in driving the team’s continued growth.
The successful candidate will combine high-quality legal advice with commercial awareness, supporting the development of colleagues while identifying opportunities to expand the department’s client base and reputation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Family Law department, overseeing the team’s workload, performance and development.
- Manage your own caseload of complex family law matters, providing clear, commercially aware and client-focused advice.
- Advise clients on a range of family matters, including divorce, financial remedy proceedings, private children matters and cohabitation disputes.
- Handle negotiations, mediation and court proceedings, working towards effective outcomes for clients.
- Supervise, mentor and support solicitors, legal executives, paralegals and other members of the team.
- Allocate work appropriately, monitor deadlines and ensure consistently high standards of service.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing clients, referrers and professional contacts.
- Identify and pursue business development opportunities to grow the department’s profile and revenue.
- Monitor departmental performance, billing, financial targets and profitability.
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, SRA regulations, professional standards and internal procedures.
- Keep up to date with developments in family law and implement best practice across the team.
- Contribute to the wider strategic direction of the firm and identify opportunities for future departmental growth.
Candidate Requirements
- Qualified Solicitor with substantial experience in Family Law.
- Previous experience in a senior position, such as Head of Department, Partner, Legal Director or Senior Associate ready to take the next step.
- Strong technical knowledge across a broad range of family law matters.
- Experience managing a caseload of complex and sensitive cases, including financial remedy and children proceedings.
- Proven ability to lead, supervise and develop a team.
- Strong commercial awareness, with experience managing billing, financial performance and departmental targets.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and advocacy skills.
- A proactive approach to business development, networking and building professional relationships.
- Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain high standards of client care.
The Opportunity
This is an opportunity for an ambitious senior Family Solicitor to take ownership of a department, shape its future direction and make a meaningful contribution to the wider business.
You will have the scope to develop the team’s capabilities, strengthen existing relationships and identify new opportunities for growth, while continuing to handle an interesting and varied caseload.
The position would suit an established family law leader looking for a new challenge or an experienced senior solicitor ready to step into their first Head of Department role.
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