Head of Department- Family (Children Law)

Role Overview

Our client is seeking an exceptional Head of Department to lead and further develop its highly respected Family Team, with a particular focus on Children Law. This is a senior leadership role for a practitioner of national standing, combining technical excellence, strategic vision and substantial people management experience.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall leadership, performance and growth of the Family Department, maintaining our client’s reputation for excellence in complex, sensitive and high-profile children matters, while mentoring and developing the next generation of family lawyers.

Key Responsibilities

Department Leadership & Strategy

• Provide strategic leadership to the Family Department, setting and delivering departmental objectives aligned with the firm’s values and wider business strategy.

• Take ownership of the department’s long-term vision, succession planning and market positioning.

• Play an active role in firm-wide leadership, contributing to partnership strategy, governance and growth initiatives.

Practice Excellence

• Maintain an active and high-level caseload of complex children law matters, acting as a trusted advisor in the most challenging and sensitive cases.

• Provide subject-matter leadership across public, private and/or international children law, including matters with safeguarding, human rights and cross-border elements.

• Act as a departmental figurehead on legal developments, policy changes and best practice affecting children and families.

People Management & Development

• Lead, manage and mentor a team of partners, senior associates, associates, trainees and support staff.

• Oversee recruitment, supervision, performance management and career progression across the department.

• Build a high-performing, collaborative culture with a strong emphasis on quality, wellbeing and professional development.

• Support succession planning and talent development within the Family Team.

Reputation, Profile & Thought Leadership

• Maintain and enhance the department’s national and international profile through publications, speaking engagements, training and media commentary.

• Support and strengthen the firm’s rankings in Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and other directories.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with counsel, experts, NGOs, international practitioners and professional bodies.

Business Development & Growth

• Drive sustainable growth of the department, identifying opportunities across public, private and international work.

• Maintain and expand a strong referral network.

• Contribute to firm-wide business development strategy and mentor others in profile-building and client development.

Required Experience & Expertise

Essential

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with significant post-qualification experience, operating at Partner or equivalent senior level.

• Extensive leadership and management experience, including departmental or team-level responsibility.

• Demonstrable expertise in Children Law, with substantial experience in at least two of:

  • Public law children (Legal Aid)

  • Private children law

  • International / cross-border children matters

• Proven ability to manage complex, sensitive and high-profile cases.

• Experience contributing to strategic planning, growth and team development.

Highly Desirable

• Resolution Accredited Specialist (or equivalent) in relevant children law disciplines.

• Experience in cases involving international elements, forced marriage, so-called ‘honour’-based abuse, domestic abuse or safeguarding.

• Recognition in leading legal directories.

• Track record of thought leadership, training or publication in family or children law.

Progression & Partnership

This role offers significant scope for progression, including progression to Equity Partnership, reflecting the seniority and strategic importance of the position. Bindmans is committed to supporting the right individual to build a long-term leadership role within the firm, aligned with its values, culture and growth plans.

Why Us?

Our client is widely recognised for its values-led approach, excellence in public and private law, and commitment to access to justice. This is a rare opportunity to lead a flagship department within a firm that combines legal excellence with genuine social purpose — and to shape the future of children law practice at the highest level.