Key Words: Private Client Law, Inheritance, Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Wealth Management,

The legal industry provides you with an opportunity to train and qualify in specific areas of law. Each area of law varies in terms of the work setting, hours and deadlines as some of the criteria’s, which means choosing an area which marries with your interests and the way you like to work is very important in being successful in your career. I currently work in Private Client Law – you might have a number of questions as to what type of work I complete etc… carry on reading!

Private Client Lawyers mainly work for wealthy clients to provide legal advice on how to effectively manage their estate and maintain the wealth whilst adhering to taxation policies, Wills and administering the estate when required. A Private Client Lawyer deals with three key areas which are Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate cases.

A Private Client Lawyer will be expected to complete some of the following tasks on a day to day basis:

• Conduct meetings with client’s and provide advice on the best way to manage the estate
• Draft Wills, Lasting Power of Attorney Forms and dealing with the Trust and the Estate
• Liaising with clients and professional bodies such as the courts to review and progress cases
• Organising wealth so that it can be adequately passed down to generations

Working Life

• Juggling a number of matters at any given time
• You will be expected to travel frequently to visit clients/Properties
• No day is the same and work you complete can vary
• Less deadline driven
• There can be an international element to the career

Skills needed to be a Private Client Lawyer

• You need to have an interest in other people’s affairs
• Empathetic especially when dealing with probate cases
• Excellent Communication
• Be able to break down technical legal jargon into simple terms
• Great attention to detail when drafting client documents
• Excellent research skills
• Time Management

Above all, working in Private Client Law is very rewarding, and you can also work closely with other departments such as the conveyancing or litigation team due to the nature of the work. If Private Client Law seems to interest you and you wish to gain a further insight, feel free to reach out and I can ask specific questions on my experience.

Written by Hasnain Arshad – Volunteer at Muslim Lawyers Hub