Head of Family Law - Pathway to Partnership - Build & Lead a Department
York | Full-Time, Permanent
Competitive Salary + Benefits

QED Legal is hiring on behalf of a well-established regional law firm seeking an experienced and commercially focused Family Solicitor to lead its Family Law department.

This is a key leadership opportunity within a respected practice, offering the successful candidate the chance to take ownership of a developing department with strong support from an established wider litigation team.

This role reports into the Head of Litigation, you will lead the Family department both strategically and operationally, overseeing the continued growth of the team and service offering.

The wider litigation division is well-established and collaborative, while the Family team is set for expansion, providing an excellent opportunity for an experienced solicitor looking to shape, mentor, and expand a department.

Alongside leadership responsibilities, you will manage a varied caseload of privately funded family matters and play an active role in business development and departmental growth.

• Managing a broad caseload of privately funded family matters including divorce, financial remedy proceedings, private children matters, and cohabitation disputes
• Providing pragmatic and commercially aware legal advice
• Ensuring consistently high standards of client care and compliance
• Supervising and mentoring junior members of the Family team

• Taking responsibility for the strategic direction and performance of the department
• Supporting and developing junior solicitors and legal support staff
• Working closely with senior management on departmental objectives, growth plans, and performance targets
• Reviewing and improving processes to support efficiency and client service standards

• Building relationships with referrers, professional contacts, and existing clients
• Supporting networking and profile-raising activities within the local market
• Identifying opportunities for departmental growth and service expansion
• Contributing to the firm’s wider commercial strategy

• Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales with a minimum of 5 years’ PQE in Family Law
• Strong technical expertise across privately funded family matters
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience within a legal environment
• Commercially minded with a proactive approach to business development
• Strong interpersonal and client relationship management skills
• Organised and capable of balancing strategic and fee-earning responsibilities

• Competitive salary and bonus potential
• Genuine leadership opportunity with autonomy to grow a department
• Supportive and collaborative culture
• Structured professional development and ongoing training
• Enhanced annual leave and additional employee benefits
• Health and wellbeing initiatives
• Staff engagement events and recognition schemes
• Cycle to Work scheme and other lifestyle benefits

QED Legal’s client is a long-established regional practice with a strong reputation for quality client service, approachable advice, and staff development. This opportunity would suit an ambitious Family Solicitor seeking a visible leadership role with scope to influence and expand an important practice area.

For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact Eoghan at QED Legal Recruitment Ltd.