Family Solicitor - Head of Department

Our client is seeking an experienced Head of Family Law to lead their growing team in Romford, East London.

The department handles a full spectrum of family law matters, including private family cases and public law proceedings such as care work representing both children and parents.

The Role

This senior role is ideal for a proactive and strategically minded solicitor who can lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team while maintaining their own client caseload. You will be responsible for shaping the department’s direction, ensuring consistent high-quality service, and driving business development across both private and public family law matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the family law team, providing guidance, supervision, and mentoring to solicitors and support staff
• Oversee complex caseloads in both private and public law, including care proceedings, divorce, financial settlements, and children matters
• Ensure the department operates efficiently, meets regulatory and compliance standards, and maintains exceptional client service
• Develop and implement business development strategies, including client retention, referral networks, and marketing initiatives
• Monitor departmental performance, fee generation, and profitability against agreed targets
• Maintain hands-on involvement in high-value or sensitive cases to lead by example
• Support training, professional development, and succession planning within the team

The Candidate

• Qualified solicitor with 5+ years PQE in family law, with experience across private and public law
• Proven leadership experience, ideally managing a team of solicitors or fee earners
• Exceptional advocacy, drafting, and technical legal skills
• Strong commercial acumen with experience meeting financial and business development targets
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organisational skills
• Confident managing sensitive and complex client matters, including high-profile care proceedings
• Ability to drive a positive team culture, motivate colleagues, and implement best practice

Benefits

• Leadership position with autonomy and influence over the department
• Hybrid working
• Opportunity to work on complex, high-value family law matters
• Supportive and collaborative senior management environment
• Career development and long-term progression opportunities

Should you have any questions or wish to apply please do not hesitate to contact Clear Legal Recruitment Limited.

Please Note: Due to the number of applications we receive we may be unable to respond to every application directly. If you have not heard from us within 3 working days please assume your application has been unsuccessful