Vacancies

We are seeking an experienced Litigation Paralegal to join our Conflict Resolution team in Glasgow. The team is led by Steven Docherty, acting for lenders, local authorities, commercial businesses and accountants.

The role

The role will involve managing a mixed portfolio caseload of contentious and non-contentious court applications, including secured lender recoveries, commercial debt recovery, sequestration and liquidation petition work in both the Sheriff Court and Court of Session. This will be a varied role, working with a number of partners including John Grant and Alan Munro with direct interaction with clients and debtors.

The candidate

You will be expected to manage a case load of court applications under partner supervision, framing applications, managing court diaries, preparing motions and instructions for court appearances. You will be able to develop client relationships, updating on progress with cases, taking instructions, processing client management information and fee rendering.

In taking responsibility for your case load, you will require excellent time management skills and be well organised in meeting strict court deadlines and progressing matters efficiently with good communication with clients to keep them updated as cases develop (including working to Service Level Agreements where applicable). You will understand the technical requirements of court procedure. You will be collaborative in your approach to work, ensuring colleagues are well prepared for court hearings. You will be committed to providing an excellent level of service to clients, show initiative, have a positive attitude and be proactive in striving for the best outcome for clients. You will have strong IT skills and the capacity to learn and operate different IT systems (including our clients’ own systems).

This role offers the opportunity to engage in extensive business development activities with clients to grow your professional network while you advance your career, develop your skills, and to work with a great team in a friendly, supportive and client focused environment.

WJM offers a competitive salary and benefit packages depending on the experience you will bring to the Firm. If you are interested in this great opportunity please send your CV to Kirstin Lennox at recruitment@wjm.co.uk quoting reference CRG08/25

We are seeking a solicitor to join WJM’s renewables property team in Glasgow.

The team, led by Andy McFarlane, advises an outstanding roster of renewables developers on securing land; getting property packages into marketable/fundable form; sales and financings; precedent development; completing due diligence in relation to projects; developing bespoke property structures as required by our clients and their projects and complex title examination and site assembly work. We work across a number of technologies including onshore wind, battery storage, solar, offshore wind and green hydrogen as well as an increasing number of hybrid projects.

The team has an outstanding culture focused on client service; technical excellence; commitment to achieving deadlines; understanding and supporting our clients and the wider renewables industry; and making the team a great place to work. The role will involve working with the other members of the team and the successful candidate will have immediate direct contact to clients.

The ideal candidate will:

• have 4 - 10 years’ PQE, preferably in a renewables context;
• be confident in drafting options and leases for renewables projects or large-scale commercial property developments;
• have experience in title examination and reporting for both Sasine and Land Registered titles;
• be keen to learn and take on work from the partners in the team but also work with some autonomy and delegate and supervise more junior team members;
• have an interest in focusing on working in the renewables sector;
• demonstrate a commitment to providing an excellent level of client service;
• show initiative and have a positive attitude and proactive approach to working with clients and colleagues;
• be able to build rapport and communicate positively and effectively with clients, other legal representatives and other involved parties; and
• be ambitious and be willing to develop your career and practice.

This role offers the opportunity to advance your career, develop your skills, work towards expertise in the renewables sector and work with a great team in a friendly, supportive and client focused environment.

If you have the skills and experiences described above and are interested in this great opportunity, please send your CV to the HR department at recruitment@wjm.co.uk quoting reference REGLA 07/25

We are seeking an AML Analyst to be based in our Edinburgh office.

Your role will require you to support the implementation of the firm’s compliance strategy and in particular co-ordinate client and matter take on procedures and instructions in line with our Anti-Money Laundering (AML) process and procedures.

The role:
• Carry out AML and Client Due Diligence (CDD) checks on all new client and matter instructions to ensure they comply with AML regulations. This will include analysing high risk factors including PEP involvement, state ownership, complex structures, high risk jurisdictions (including EU high-risk third countries), sanctions information, intelligence and other reporting systems.
• Giving advice on enhanced due diligence, ongoing monitoring requirements, any specific CDD requirements, best practice and AML queries to Partners and fee earners to ensure appropriate CDD is obtained to comply with AML procedures.
• Discuss where required the content of CDD forms and directly liaise with fee earners and matter managers.
• Conduct analysis on relevant sanctions notifications including from the UN, EU, UK and US. Investigate and escalate potential legal and reputational issues to the MLRO and assist with drafting any referral.
• Report on clients who do not have appropriate CDD and liaise with colleagues accordingly
• Undertake verification of identity checks
• Review incoming funds to the firm’s client account
• Prepare and review risk assessments of clients
• Produce regular reports and statistics for the Partners and matter managers.
• Draft Suspicious Activity Reports ('SARs') under the supervision of the Compliance Manager and the MLRO, including submission of SARs to the National Crime Agency ('NCA') and ensure internal records are kept up to date.
• Draft and update AML procedures in accordance with regulatory changes and firm’s policy under the supervision of the Compliance Manager and MLRO.
• Assist with the audit of CDD forms and client files, reporting on findings and providing feedback to the matter managers.
• Support the Compliance Manager with other compliance related work as required.

Ideally, you will have:

• Experience of working in a comparable role within a legal firm.
• Experience of Financial Services compliance and data protection.
• Experience of Anti-Bribery and Corruption compliance.
• Operational experience of AML compliance
• Excellent analytical skills with great attention to detail
• Highly developed communication skills, including an ability to interact effectively with people at all levels within an organisation, and a good understanding of regulatory requirements and governance framework.
• Experience and understanding of the delivery of Risk Management Framework and policies.
• Proven understanding of testing methodologies and processes and can demonstrate strong analytical, technical and problem solving skills.
• Project management skills or experience of working on project related activities.

WJM offers the opportunity of a great career in a client focused environment. We also offer competitive salary and benefit packages depending on the experience you will bring to the Firm. If you are interested in this great opportunity, please send your CV to recruitment@wjm.co.uk quoting reference AML/06/25.

We are recruiting a number of Scottish-qualified senior fee earners across our offices (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dunblane and Inverness) to support the growing Private Client team.

WJM have recently been awarded Private Client Team of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards, marking a significant achievement for the team and individuals within the team are also ranked in both Chambers and Legal500. We are a STEP Platinum Employer Partner.

Our Private Client team offers a comprehensive range of services including wills & executry and powers of attorney, adults with incapacity, residential conveyancing, tax advice, wealth planning and advice on succession for business, farming and crofting clients.

The Roles / Candidates

The roles will involve managing a portfolio of high net-worth clients in each of the services we offer as well as working independently or with the partners on complex cases.

The successful candidates will be comfortable with managing a variety of work and who is interested in helping our clients to achieve their aims for themselves, their families and their businesses. They must be comfortable meeting new people, networking and supporting business development and be adaptable to our unique approach to client centricity, which truly puts the client at the heart of our business.

It is expected that the candidates will have experience in dealing with tax and trusts above a basic knowledge to be able to manage their own workload, assist the partners and to support and train more junior members of the Team. This will include being STEP qualified (or on the way to full qualification) or being ATT or CTA qualified (or on the way to full qualification). We are keen to support people in additional qualifications from STEP and membership.

If you have the experience and attributes described, are commercially and client focused, can provide excellent technical service and deliver on time this is a great opportunity to become a key part of our team. The roles offer an excellent opportunity to advance your career, develop your skills in these areas, and to work with a great team in a friendly, supportive and client focused environment.

You will also be expected to participate fully in the business development activities of the team and the firm and will be required to show a grasp of the financial disciplines required of solicitor at your level.

We would like to hear from you if you want the opportunity to work closely with our clients, gain good client communication skills and develop your technical skills that will be invaluable to your career.

We look for candidates who are committed to providing an excellent level of client service, show initiative and have a positive attitude.

Whilst all our team members are expected to work hard, we recognise the social value to work and the importance of a good work-life balance.

We are happy to discuss the roles and office locations. We are committed not just to hiring the best but to retaining them and offer long-term incentives to support that commitment, including private healthcare package, hybrid and flexible working options and in-house CPD training to support your professional development. We also offer a positive working environment with frequent company socials and an opportunity to be part of our cross-office practice and sector teams.

If you are interested in this great opportunity, please send your CV to the HR department at recruitment@wjm.co.uk quoting reference PCALL 02/25

Wright Johnston & Mackenzie LLP is committed to providing equality of opportunity in employment and to developing working practices and policies that support work-life balance.

We are seeking an NQ solicitor to join our Private Client team in Inverness. Our team led by Rod MacLean offers a range of services covering wills, trusts & executry, estate and succession planning adults with incapacity and other related matters.

The role will involve managing a portfolio of clients in areas such as wills, trusts, executries, powers of attorney and guardianships. The work will include drafting detailed accounts and IHT and Confirmation forms, preparing information for annual income tax and CGT returns and all necessary compliance aspects for each work type. As a fee-earner you will be responsible for monitoring cash flow and funds held, paying bills for the clients and liaising with investment managers (internal and external).

The successful candidate will be someone who is comfortable with managing a variety of work and who is interested in helping our clients to achieve their aims for themselves, their families and their businesses. They must be comfortable meeting new people, networking and supporting business development and be adaptable to our unique approach to client centricity which truly puts the client at the heart of our business.

If you have the experience and attributes described, are commercially and client focused, can provide excellent technical service and deliver on time this is a great opportunity to become a key part of our team.

You will also be expected to participate fully in the business development activities of the team and the firm, and will be required to show a grasp of the financial disciplines required of solicitor at your level.

This role offers the opportunity to advance your career, develop your skills, and to work with a great team in a friendly, supportive and client focused environment. We are keen to support people in working towards STEP qualification and membership, as WJM is a Platinum Employer Partner.

If you are interested in this great opportunity please send your CV please send your CV to recruitment@wjm.co.uk quoting reference PCI02/25.

We are seeking an Associate to join our Private Client team in Edinburgh. Our team, led by Roddy Harrison, offers a range of services including executry administration, succession planning, tax advice, and trust work.

The role will involve managing a portfolio of clients in areas such as trusts, high-net-worth or cross-border executries, all areas of tax planning and planning for family business clients. In particular, we would be looking for the candidate to support SJ Macdonald with contentious private client work and complex trust matters. This would include challenges to wills, beneficiary disagreements, and legal rights claims (often with partnership or company disputes) as well as an array of trust problems.

It is expected that the candidate will have experience in dealing with tax and trusts above a basic knowledge to be able to manage their own workload, assist the partners and to support and train more junior members of the team. This will include being STEP qualified (or on the way to full qualification) or being ATT or CTA qualified (or on the way to full qualification). We are keen to support people in additional qualifications from STEP and membership, as WJM is a Platinum Employer Partner.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to advance your career, develop your skills in these areas, and to work with a great team in a friendly, supportive and client focused environment.

The successful candidate will be someone who is comfortable with managing a variety of work and who is interested in helping our clients to achieve their aims for themselves, their families and their businesses. They must be comfortable meeting new people, networking and supporting business development and be adaptable to our unique approach to client centricity which truly puts the client at the heart of our business.

If you have the experience and attributes described, are commercially and client focused, can provide excellent technical service and deliver on time this is a great opportunity to become a key part of our growing team.

You will also be expected to participate fully in the business development activities of the team and the firm, and will be required to show a grasp of the financial disciplines required of solicitor at your level.

If you have the skills and experience described above and are interested in this opportunity, please apply without delay. Please send your CV to the HR department at recruitment@wjm.co.uk quoting reference PCE01/24.

We are seeking a solicitor to join our Private Client conveyancing team in Inverness. Our team led by James and Jonathan Wotherspoon offers a range of services covering residential and rural conveyancing as well as other private client work including wills & executries and related matters.

The role will have a particular focus on conveyancing including residential transactions, rural conveyancing, landed estates and crofting law, but may also cover some more general private client work including wills and powers of attorney. This is an excellent opportunity to develop expertise in a valuable area of practice for the firm.

The successful candidate will be someone who is comfortable with managing a variety of work and who is interested in helping our clients to achieve their aims for themselves, their families and their businesses. They must be comfortable meeting new people, networking and supporting business development and be adaptable to our unique approach to client centricity which truly puts the client at the heart of our business. Ideally the successful candidate will have had seats in both the commercial property and private client groups during their traineeship.

If you have the experience and attributes described, are commercially and client focused, can provide excellent technical service and deliver on time this is a great opportunity to become a key part of our team.

You will also be expected to participate in the business development activities of the team and the firm, and will be required to show a grasp of the financial disciplines required of solicitor at your level.

This role offers the opportunity to advance your career, develop your skills, and to work with a great team in a friendly, supportive and client focused environment.

If you are interested in this great opportunity please send your CV to to Kirstin Lennox at recruitment@wjm.co.uk  quoting reference PC/PI24