Working for Gilbert Stephens LLP
This page deals with:
- About us
- Our Offices
- Training
- How to apply
- Confidential pre application chat
- Our vacancies
- Recruitment Agencies
About 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 we do.
Culture is at the heart of our business and centres on our most valued assets, our people, both internal staff and external clients. We strive to build and sustain strong relationships, based on active listening to understanding what it is our people need and want.
Following a firm wide strategic overhaul by our CEO Vicky Thompson, she has implemented an ethos of inclusion, with a commitment to kindness and wellbeing. She regularly takes feedback good and bad, from staff and relishes ideas from the bottom up, to ensure continued improvements and forward movement.
Vicky is determined to see each and every member of staff rewarded for the overall success of the firm. Working on the basis we are all part of the same team; she considers we couldn’t do our jobs without each other – without all the pieces in play.
Vicky has implemented an extremely competitive fee earner salary scheme, allowing the success of individual FE’s to add [up to] an additional £10k on salary each year, and she is currently finalising a non-fee earner reward scheme.
Vicky has resolved to reward all kinds of excellence across the firm, establishing a clear route to partnership for lawyers and non-lawyers alike. We are particularly proud of our 2024 promotions which saw 1 lawyer & 2 non lawyers promoted to the position of salaried partner, with the 2 non lawyers being rewarded for their outstanding work to the business as a whole. We are also proud to have 2 non lawyer equity partners sitting on the board.
Additionally, Vicky is currently researching the possibility of a 5 days into 4 days working week to enhance a work, life balance for all.
She has further implemented,
- Christmas closing for a week each year – not from holiday allowance.
- 4pm Friday closing during August each year.
- A sunny day’s policy for when the weather just gets too hot to handle.
- An enhanced maternity contribution.
- In line with our, family and health first ethos for all, additional holiday and all kinds of compassionate leave are regularly granted.
GS also offers,
- Discounted fees for staff
- Paid eye tests and contribution to glasses
Our offices
We operate from six offices, with the main office being in Exeter. We recently
opened our new East Devon Legal Hub based in Ottery St Mary which services, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary, and has extensive client and staff parking. However, for those clients who still want to drop in locally, we have new boutique, manned offices in Sidmouth and Budleigh. We also operate in the lovely market town of Crediton, and the stunning moorland town of Okehampton. Our ultimate aim is to become paperless so that we can offer flexible geographical working options to staff across the firm. Our East Devon hub and our Crediton offices hold our archiving and storage solutions.
Training
We are currently supporting seven trainee solicitors, two of whom are already salaried partners, one is the Head of our Property Team and one is the Assistant Head of our Property Team at GS, fully CILEX qualified. Gilbert Stephens has historically and continues to be fully committed to enhancing training where needed and financially supporting such training wherever possible.
We encourage all staff levels to consider training not only to solidify skills but also to provide a solid career path for individuals. Two examples we are particularly proud of, two long standing and extremely well-respected secretaries wanted to change direction, one to become a paralegal and one who wanted to entirely restructure, re-organise, improve and future proof our firm wide archiving & storage solutions; one with a degree and one without.
Our vacancies
We are delighted to be recruiting across the firm, please see the list below.
If you would like to join Gilbert Stephens on our journey and you have the skills and expertise we are looking for then we would love to hear from you.
How to apply
Please email your CV, together with any relevant supporting information for specific roles, to Dana Mulligan, our HR and marketing manager and Partner. Dana is running our current recruitment campaigns or 07769 271651
Dana welcomes speculative CVs from individual applicants only.
We do not accept CVs from recruitment agencies – see section below.
Confidential pre application chat
If you would like a confidential chat about any of our current vacancies, please do contact either,
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.
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
Paralegals – Private Client
We are seeking highly organised and detail-oriented Private Client Paralegals to join our dynamic legal team. The ideal candidates will have experience supporting lawyers in all aspects of private client work, including estate planning, probate, and trust administration. Responsibilities include preparing legal documents, managing client files, conducting legal research, and communicating with clients. Strong communication, research, and organisational skills are essential.
Residential Conveyancing Solicitor/CILEX Conveyancer
The ideal candidate will be an experienced Residential Conveyancing Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive. You should be able to manage your own caseload under minimal supervision and have excellent communication, networking and client facing skills. You will also maintain relations with existing clients and assist in developing new relationships and referral sources.
Full Time Secretaries – Private Client
We are seeking experienced and organised Legal Secretaries to join our Private Client Team, providing high-quality administrative support to our lawyers. As a Private Client Legal Secretary, you will be responsible for managing and maintaining accurate and up-to-date files, typing dictation, preparing documents, and communicating with clients. Experience in a similar role is preferred, but applicants with transferable skills and a willing attitude will be considered for our training program. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
Ottery St Mary
Senior Private Client Lawyer
We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Private Client Lawyer to lead and expand our thriving private client team in Ottery St Mary, Devon. The successful candidate will have extensive expertise in all aspects of private client law, including wills, trusts, probate, tax planning, and estate administration. They will be responsible for managing a team of lawyers and support staff, overseeing the delivery of high-quality legal services, developing client relationships, and contributing to the strategic growth of the department. Strong leadership, business development skills, and a proven track record of success are essential. This is an excellent opportunity for a driven individual to take ownership of a key area of our business and make a significant impact.
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.
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 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.
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.
Recruitment Agencies
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.
Gilbert Stephens LLP will not:
- recognise submissions of unsolicited or speculative CV applications from recruitment agencies.
- be liable for any fee / commission should we employ a candidate that applied to us directly or through an instructed agency that may also have been submitted as an unsolicited or speculative application from an uninstructed recruitment agency.
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.
