What it's like to be a Private Client Solicitor

As a Private Client solicitor, my role is to help individuals and families through some of the most difficult and important moments of their lives. Working in Private Client is highly personal, requires technical expertise, and is centred on building professional relationships and trust.

At John Hodge Solicitors our aim is to be able to truly understand our clients’ lives, family circumstances, and long-term goals so that we can become their trusted advisers.

Given that the work we do is so varied, being a Private Client solicitor is challenging and incredibly rewarding. No two days are ever the same.

What Skills does a Private Client Solicitor need?

• Empathy: many of the conversations with our clients involve sensitive topics, such as illness, bereavement, or complex family dynamics. Being approachable and compassionate is key.

• Communication: the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and jargon-free. This enables our clients to fully understand their options, and be able to make informed decisions.

• Technical knowledge: the law in this area is complex and continually evolving. Private Client Solicitors must stay up to date with changes to the law, regulations, and procedures.

• Problem solving: we help clients plan for the future, and navigate the present, with solutions tailored to their personal circumstances and goals.

• Attention to detail: precision is essential when drafting legal documents to make sure that they accurately reflect our clients’ instructions and comply with the relevant formalities.

A Typical Week as a Newly Qualified Solicitor

I qualified as a Solicitor in December 2024, after completing my Training Contract at John Hodge Solicitors.

Whilst every week is different, a typical one will include:

• Meeting clients to discuss Wills, LPAs and estate matters.

• Drafting legal documents, including Wills, LPAs and trust deeds.

• Managing estate administration matters including applying for probate, preparing estate accounts, and liaising with executors and beneficiaries.

Supervision and Support  

Whether you are just starting out or are years into your career, supervision and support play a vital role in developing confidence, maintaining high standards, and protecting client interests.

For junior solicitors or trainees, a strong support structure is essential. Good supervision means:

• Regular one-on-one feedback.
• Opportunities to discuss challenging client situations.
• Learning not just the "how" but the "why" behind legal decisions.
• Building technical skills in areas like estate administration, Court of Protection applications, and trust creation.

John Hodge Solicitors offer structured supervision, often through a mix of mentoring, file reviews, and shadowing more experienced colleagues. You are encouraged to ask questions, and there is an open-door policy that helps new solicitors grow quickly.

But supervision isn’t just for trainees. Even experienced private client solicitors benefit from peer support, whether it’s double-checking a Will, checking a complex tax calculation or just being on hand to offer an opinion of advice on a legal issue.

The Private Client Services we offer at John Hodge Solicitors

We advise clients on a broad range of matters, including:

• Wills – we meet with clients to discuss their family and financial circumstances so that we can draft Wills that accurately reflect their wishes. We also consider our clients’ Inheritance Tax position to advise on options to transfer their wealth in a tax-efficient manner.

• Lasting Powers of Attorney (“LPAs”) – we advise on, and prepare, Property & Financial Affairs LPAs and Health & Welfare LPAs. These are documents which allow individuals (the Donor) to appoint persons they trust implicitly (called Attorneys) to make decisions on their behalf.

• Enduring Powers of Attorney (“EPAs”) – whilst it has not been possible to prepare new EPAs since October 2007, we assist Attorneys with registering EPAs with the Office of the Public Guardian where the Donor is or is becoming mentally incapable of managing their own property and financial affairs.

• Court of Protection work – we support the families of vulnerable individuals in applying to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship order where an individual has lost mental capacity to make their own decisions and there are no LPAs or EPAs in place.

• Probate and Estate Administration – we guide Personal Representatives through all aspects of estate administration: identifying assets and liabilities, considering the Inheritance Tax position, applying for probate, preparing estate accounts, and distributing the estate according to the Will or the Intestacy Rules, if someone has not left a Will.

• Trust administration – we assist both professional and lay trustees in managing trusts and understanding their legal responsibilities, including HMRC’s trust registration obligations with the Trust Registration Service (TRS).

Next Steps: Get in touch

If you would like to discuss Wills and Probate, or are interested in joining our team of legal experts, then please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of legal experts at John Hodge Solicitors based at our Bridgwater, Bristol, Clevedon, Wedmore, Weston-super-Mare, and Yatton offices.

You can reach us via our website or by calling 0800 097 8611.