Thompson Smith And Puxon
Colchester, Essex
27/07/2026
Full time
About us Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) is a long-established regional law firm serving individuals, families, businesses, farmers, landowners and organisations across Essex, Suffolk and beyond. Our mission is to Transform, Succeed, and Prosper - not only for our clients but also for our people and the wider community. We operate with integrity, innovation, and a commitment to fostering growth and opportunity for everyone within the firm. Collaboration, professionalism, and agility define our working environment, and we strive to empower our teams to deliver excellent results while supporting their personal and professional development. As a progressive independent firm, we are committed to operating with integrity, professionalism and innovation. Through our TSP2030 strategy, we continue to invest in our people, technology and working environment, creating opportunities for our teams to develop, grow and thrive. Collaboration, agility and continuous improvement are at the heart of our culture, and we are passionate about supporting both personal and professional development while delivering outstanding results for our clients. Role overview Thompson Smith and Puxon LLP is seeking a Senior Contentious Probate Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX Litigator and Advocate) to join our Dispute Resolution Team. This is an excellent opportunity for a lawyer with approximately 5-10 years' PQE and an established background in contentious probate disputes. The successful candidate will bring the expertise and confidence to manage a varied and high-quality caseload of inheritance, trust and estate disputes, whilst contributing to the continued growth of this specialist area within the firm. The role benefits from a well-established reputation in the private client market and a strong pipeline of work, including internal referrals from our respected Wills and Estates Team. The successful candidate will also play an important role in supporting and mentoring a junior solicitor who is developing their specialism in contentious probate. The Role As part of the Dispute Resolution Team, you will advise and represent clients in a broad range of contentious probate matters, from initial instruction through to resolution. You will work with individuals, families, executors, trustees and beneficiaries, providing clear, strategic and commercially focused advice during what are often complex and emotionally sensitive disputes. The role offers the opportunity to take ownership of high-value and complex matters, develop long-term client relationships and play an active role in the growth of the contentious probate practice. Key Responsibilities Manage a varied caseload of contentious probate, trust and estate disputes from instruction to conclusion. Advise on will validity, capacity, undue influence, fraud, Inheritance Act, executor, trustee, estate administration and proprietary estoppel claims. Develop case strategies and provide clear advice on prospects, risks, costs and outcomes. Draft pleadings, witness statements, applications, correspondence and settlement agreements. Conduct negotiations and represent clients at mediations, settlement meetings and hearings where appropriate. Deliver excellent client care and maintain regular communication throughout each matter. Build strong relationships with colleagues, professional contacts and referrers to support internal referrals and practice growth. Contribute to business development, networking, seminars, articles and marketing initiatives. Manage files efficiently, including compliance, time recording, billing and financial performance. We are seeking an experienced contentious probate litigator with strong technical expertise, excellent client care skills and a commercial approach. Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX Litigator and Advocate), with approximately 5-10 years' PQE or equivalent experience. Proven contentious probate, trust and estate dispute experience, including Inheritance Act claims, probate disputes, trust litigation, CPR and ADR. Able to manage a caseload independently with strong drafting, analytical, advocacy and negotiation skills. Excellent client relationship, communication, organisation and time-management skills. Commercially aware, proactive and confident building relationships with colleagues, clients and referrers. ACTAPS membership or accreditation. Private client or estate administration knowledge. Experience mentoring junior team members. Established professional network and business development experience. Personal Attributes Professional, approachable and empathetic. Commercially aware, solutions focused and quality driven. Strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills. Collaborative, organised, resilient and self-motivated. Ambitious about developing a specialist contentious probate practice. The package We offer a competitive salary, depending on level of experience and ability. Other benefits include: 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, with an additional 3 days for the Christmas to New Year closure (pro-rated for part time staff). Death in service and Group income protection. Workplace pension scheme with Scottish Widows after 3 months' service, including enhanced and salary sacrifice options. Health cash plan and employee assistance programme. Firm sick pay policy. Opportunity for additional holiday with long service. Equal opportunities We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all communities and backgrounds. Recruitment is based on merit, skills, and suitability for the role. At Thompson Smith and Puxon we take your privacy seriously and will only use the personal information you give us to deal with your enquiry. Please read our Privacy Policyhere . This details how we will process and store your personal information and your rights regarding your data. At Thompson Smith and Puxon we take your privacy seriously and will only use the personal information you give us to deal with your enquiry. Please read our Privacy Policyhere . This details how we will process and store your personal information and your rights regarding your data. I agree to Thompson Smith and Puxon processing my data to deal with my enquiry about TSP services The TSP team enjoy a great reputation in the contentious trusts and probate market. The family team at TSP are highly respected in Essex and Suffolk by the judiciary and practitioners alike. Whether in Children Act or financial remedy proceedings, the team have a reputation for being well-prepared, efficient and on-point. The advice they give their clients is sound and clear. They consistently deliver results for our clients. Concise, prompt, efficient and good communication throughout. Reliable, Knowledgeable, Excellent level of service, Provide expert guidance throughout the litigation process, Experienced, Informative, Shows excellent tenacity, Works to deadlines, Dependable, Diligent. The team are a fantastic group of people, very welcoming, and I can always trust them to do a fantastic job for the clients. They are extremely knowledgeable in their area and always available to assist with anything. Commercial property transactions are often complex, time-sensitive and commercially significant. Whether you are a buyer, seller, lender or landlord, each stage of the matter opens up opportunity for a Solicitor Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) has announced several promotions to Senior Associate across the firm, recognising the expertise, dedication and investment in their people. These promotions form part of the Thompson Smith and Puxon is pleased to announce the appointment of four Legal Directors as part of the firm's new progression and governance structure. Fiona Gibson, Richard Broadhead, Marie Allen At Thompson Smith and Puxon we take your privacy seriously and will only use the personal information you give us to deal with your enquiry. Please read our Privacy Policyhere . This details how we will process and store your personal information and your rights regarding your data. At Thompson Smith and Puxon we take your privacy seriously and will only use the personal information you give us to deal with your enquiry. Please read our Privacy Policyhere . This details how we will process and store your personal information and your rights regarding your data. I agree to Thompson Smith and Puxon processing my data to deal with my enquiry about TSP services