Contentious Trusts and Private Wealth Disputes Associate

Job Locations UK-London
Job Post Information* : Posted Date 3 months ago(1/16/2026 12:22 PM)
Job ID
2025-2740
Number of Vacancies
3
Department
Employment, Pensions and Private Wealth

What we will offer

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We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

Team Structure

Our Contentious Trusts and Private Wealth Disputes Team is hiring for two ambitious junior to mid-level lawyers and a managing associate who are keen to join a team that is going from strength to strength!


The core team currently comprises 3 partners (with a fourth joining shortly from another leading firm), 3 managing associates, 1 mid-level associate, 3 junior associates, a trainee, and a solicitor apprentice/paralegal.


The team works closely with the non-contentious Private Wealth Team as well as working with the firm's other complementary practices. The team, collectively and individually, have been highly recognised or top-ranked in the Legal 500 and Chambers High Net Worth directories.


The team predominantly advises ultra-high net worth entrepreneurs and business owners and their families as well as trustees from around the globe on some of the most complex and high value private wealth disputes, focusing principally on disputes with an international element. The team has a particularly strong presence in the Asian market and advises on some of the most significant trust disputes in the region. The team also advises numerous high-profile domestic dynastic families for which they are trusted advisers and has a strong expertise handling disputes involving cross border taxation issues.


Private Wealth and Private Wealth Disputes are a core area of focus for Stephenson Harwood following its strategic review, and the wider Private Wealth Team at the firm is continually growing, with the non-contentious team recruiting some of the most high-profile names in the industry over the past twelve months. The Private Wealth Disputes team is looking to organically grow in line with the non-contentious team, which is why they are looking for a dynamic new associate to join the team.

Main Responsibilities

  • Taking responsibility for running all aspects of a case.
  • Undertaking legal analysis and feeding into the strategy of a case.
  • Liaising with the client, other team members and counsel as required.
  • Clear, concise and unambiguous preparation and drafting of documentation and legal advice
  • Considering and advising on evidence materials and strategy and preparation for trial.
  • Managing matters, with supervision from Senior Associates and Partners
  • Delegating to trainees and paralegals
  • Conducting legal research using internal and external knowledge management resources
  • Assisting in the preparation of legal articles
  • Developing internal and external network of contacts
  • Building excellent working relationships with clients and peers within Stephenson Harwood
  • Attending business development and profile raising events

 

Attributes/Skills Required

  • England and Wales qualified lawyer with experience working at a firm with a highly regarded practice, with a proven track record in handling relevant matters at the appropriate level
  • Training in an established firm, with a desire to focus on contentious trusts and private wealth work
  • A technical background in black letter law
  • Highly technical mindset, with a focus on accuracy and attention to detail
  • Excellent verbal and numerical communication skills
  • Ability to acquire, consolidate and apply fundamental and up-to-date knowledge of the la
  • Personable and positive attitude to work together in a team

 

About the Firm

 

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we're committed to creating 'positive partnerships' with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.

 

Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade.

 

With more than 1,500 people, including 220+ partners, across ten offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.

 

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

  • 220+ PARTNERS
  • 10 OFFICES
  • 45+ LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY OUR PEOPLE

Offices in Al Khobar, Athens, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Riyadh, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and associated office in Guangzhou.

 

Our brand strengths:

 

GO FAR, GO TOGETHER

 

EXPERTS IN MORE THAN LAW

 

CAN DO PERSONALITIES

 

ALWAYS READY

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