DESCRIPTION

Moore SGD Law is a dynamic law firm offering a full range of legal services, uniquely positioned to help SMEs and other owner-managed businesses, families and individuals realise their ambitions.
With deep industry expertise and an innovative approach, we combine decades of experience across corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, employment, entertainment, immigration, media, music, private client, family and property law.
Our team of over 35 legal professionals provides expert guidance, helping clients navigate their most complex challenges with tailored solutions.
As part of the Moore Kingston Smith Group, a leading multi-disciplinary professional services firm, we’re able to offer unique opportunities for cross-discipline collaboration. Our innovative spirit is embedded in our history – we were the first mid-sized accountancy firm to receive an ABS licence from the SRA. We have applied to the SRA for authorisation of a separate LLP, Moore SGD Law LLP, to provide legal services to our clients as part of the Moore Kingston Smith Group going forward.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE

• Ability to take instructions for, prepare and explain complex Wills, in particular for high net worth clients with blended families and/or business assets;
• Ability to draft and interpret various trust deeds, including discretionary trusts; age contingent trusts; declarations of trust over assets; and bare trusts;
• Ability to advise on the TRS;
• A complete understanding of the probate process in England and Wales, including making online and paper probate applications;
• A good understanding of the treatment of capital and income within an estate, their tax treatment for CGT and income tax purposes and the preparation of estate accounts;
• Advising on whether it would be appropriate or tax efficient for a beneficiary to vary, disclaim or make a gift of their inheritance;
• An awareness of the probate process in other jurisdictions, such as forced heirship rules and the enforceability of a UK Will and/or grant of probate in other jurisdictions;
• Comprehensive understanding of the inheritance tax regime and estate planning techniques in particular in relation to lifetime gifts; transfers into and distributions from a trust; the function and tax treatment of FICs; the GROB rules; and available reliefs, in particular BPR;
• An understanding of all forms of powers of attorney, in particular both types of LPA but also EPAs and general powers;
• A good understanding of the MCA 2005 and its application in particular to the preparation of Wills and its interaction with Banks v Goodfellow; and
• An understanding of the provisions of the 1975 Act and a spouse or dependant’s right to make a claim under the Act.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Within our Private Client team, our integrated approach combines legal, tax and financial expertise with empathy and efficiency to address all aspects of estate administration, planning and asset protection. Whether the estate involves personal or business assets, we ensure a seamless process, ensuring peace of mind.
We are looking for an experienced Director or Partner with proven expertise to join our Private Client Legal team, and in turn we will offer an opportunity for you to bring your own contacts whilst working with Moore Kingston Smith colleagues across our Financial Advisory and Private Client Tax teams to offer a holistic service to clients and grow your own client base.
A key element of this role will be to lead the Private Client legal team, including management of team members to ensure development and growth whilst also working with senior leaders within Moore SGD Law and the wider MKS teams, influencing and leading the continued development of our private client offering.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Close supervision of junior members of the team
• Adherence to the firm’s “four-eyes” policy which entails reviewing in conjunction with another senior member of the team draft documents and correspondence sent to clients and third parties
• Develop an internal network, in particular with the firm’s Private Client Tax and Financial Advisory teams as part of the firm’s holistic offering to clients
• Advise the firm’s Trust Corporation and trust team on the legal aspects of administering trusts and interpreting historic trust deeds;
• Proactively manage the billing process by setting realistic fee estimates; agreeing revised fee estimates where applicable; identifying invoices to be raised each month; sending invoices to clients where appropriate; reviewing aged WIP; working with the credit control team to pursue outstanding invoices; and reviewing WIP provisions each month;
• Regularly checking the team’s probate pages on the firm’s website to ensure they conform to the SRA transparency rules
• Active participation in business development activities, including preparing comments and articles for the national press and professional publications; willingness to speak events such as seminars and webinars; and speak in videos to be posted on social media and on the firm’s website on various Private Client legal matters.