Working for us

Gilbert Stephens is a thriving law firm based in the heart of Devon. We are immensely proud of our reputation built up over 100 years of serving our local communities. We provide a supportive environment for all colleagues and are committed to equality of opportunity in all of our recruitment.

Our culture is at the heart of our business and centers on our most valued assets – our people and our clients. We build and sustain healthy relationships, which are based on us understanding our staff and client needs.

We operate six offices in Exeter, Crediton, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary and Okehampton and offer a competitive salary.

To apply for any of these roles:

Following the recruitment of a new CEO almost a year ago and her firm wide strategic overhaul, we are recruiting for the vacancies listed below. If you think you have the attributes and skills to join us, then we would love to hear from you. Please email your CV, together with any relevant supporting information to Dana Mulligan, who is running this particular recruitment campaign, at .

Inclusion and Diversity are paramount to us here at Gilbert Stephens LLP. All our applicants and colleagues are treated fairly and respectfully, regardless of any protected characteristic/s. If you require assistance with regards to reasonable adjustments during your application process with us, please do not hesitate to contact us – we are always happy to help.

Exeter

Full Time Solicitor – Litigation

We are looking for an experienced Litigation Solicitor to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a close-knit team doing interesting and challenging work. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in all areas of civil dispute work, with particular emphasis in property, contentious probate claims, and partnership disputes. Some experience of employment law would also be beneficial, although not essential.

Key Responsibilities:

Handling a wide range of civil disputes, including contentious probate; professional negligence; partnership disputes (including farming partnerships); and property disputes, to include both commercial and residential landlord and tenant.
Providing legal advice and representation in traditional chancery practice areas involving disputes related to business, property, probate, and trusts.
Developing strategies for dispute resolution, including litigation, mediation, and negotiation.
Preparing legal documents and representing clients in court proceedings and in negotiations.
Staying updated with the latest legal developments and changes in civil dispute law.

Full Time Receptionist

We are seeking a Full Time Receptionist to join our Exeter city-centre office. This position will require the successful applicant to act as the face of the Exeter office, often being the first point of contact for any current or prospective clients. Maintaining a professional and friendly manner is essential as this role involves dealing with people at all levels.

Core duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to:

Providing full reception duties
Meeting and greeting clients
Answering all incoming calls and redirecting them to the appropriate person
Typing as and when required for various staff
Dealing with enquiries
Liaising with all departments
Administration support to other departments as required
Dealing with post and DX
Filing, support, photocopying and typing
Any other ad hoc duties

Skills Required:

Excellent customer service skills
High level of attention to detail
Organised and logical approach
Excellent verbal and written skills
Interpersonal skills with customer service orientation
Team player
Good IT skills

Ottery St Mary

Legal Secretary, Residential conveyancing

Due to continued expansion and the launch of our East Devon Legal Hub we are recruiting for a highly motivated individual to provide secretarial & administrative support to our Residential Conveyancing Team based in Ottery St Mary. You will provide full secretarial and administrative expertise to the existing fee earners. Ideally, you will have previous experience in the same or a similar role and thrive working in a busy and fast-paced environment, coupled with strong IT and typing skills, excellent attention to detail, and possess strong communication skills both written and verbal.

Desired skills:

Be fully competent in using Word and other Microsoft Products (Outlook, Excel and Powerpoint). Demonstrate excellent secretarial and typing skills with outstanding attention to detail. Previous experience in the use of digital dictation and case management software.
Excellent organisational & communication skills, both written and spoken
Cope well under pressure, with an ability to work flexibly and cope with changing priorities.

All Locations – Exeter, Crediton, Budleigh, Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary & Okehampton

Full Time Solicitor 3PQE or a qualified Chartered Legal Executive – Private Client

We are seeking an experienced and high-quality Private Client lawyer to join our team. STEP members and those working towards full STEP membership would be preferred.

Our ideal candidate will have previous experience in the same or a similar role and thrive working in a busy and fast-paced environment. It is essential that you hold a legal qualification and a genuine specialist background across the normal range of work undertaken by “Private Client” or “Trust and Estate” practitioners, such as Estate Planning and Wills (including Inheritance Tax mitigation and the use of Trusts), Estate Administration, advising on Trusts, “Elderly Client Services”, Lasting Powers of Attorney and basic Court of Protection work.

Core duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to:

Perform fee earning work accurately, reliably, efficiently and in accordance with the department, firm and SRA regulation and procedures.
Ensure that the firm’s risk management procedures are adhered to.
Manage a personal caseload and ensure that files are managed competently, efficiently, and profitably, with close client contact, you will manage and conduct matters on their behalf, ultimately delivering an outstanding client experience.
Development and updating of legal knowledge in the chosen area(s) of law in accordance with SRA Continuing Professional Development requirements by personal attendance at training courses, webinars, self-study, and perusal of reference material.
Reporting to your Head of Department with any concerns and/or queries
Compliance with the SRA Code of Conduct and SRA Accounts Rules

Our culture is at the heart of our business and centres on our most valued assets – our people and our clients. We build and sustain healthy relationships, which are based on us understanding our staff and client needs.

We operate six offices in Exeter, Crediton, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary and Okehampton and offer a competitive salary.

If you think you have the attributes and skills to join us, then we would love to hear from you.

Please email your CV, together with any relevant supporting information to Dana Mulligan who is managing this recruitment campaign.

Gilbert Stephens LLP request that recruitment agencies do not forward CV’s speculatively or in relation to any of the roles advertised on our website. Should we require any recruitment agencies involvement we will contact the agencies listed on our preferred suppliers list.

In the event that a recruitment agency submits an unsolicited or speculative CV and then purports to render a claim for commission supported by correspondence and/or documentation containing a disclaimer indicating otherwise, our policy prevails.