Associate Solicitor (NQ to 2 years PQE)

About the team

We are looking for an Associate Solicitor to join our Personal Injury department to work on a range of EL / PL & RTA injury claims end to end.

This is an exciting opportunity for either an experienced personal injury solicitor seeking a new challenge or a newly qualified/junior solicitor looking to develop their expertise in this specialism. You will work closely with an experienced and supportive team on high-quality cases, gaining exposure to complex litigation and making a genuine difference to clients' lives.

The role also offers opportunities to become involved in business development.

Overall purpose of the role

• To assist the team with high value personal injury cases and run own caseload of cases comprising a mix of fast track, intermediate track and multi-track injury claims.
• To assist the firm in achieving its stated professional and commercial objectives.

Main duties and responsibilities

File management

• To manage personal injury cases from start to finish;
• To obtain accurate information and instructions from clients, analyse the legal and practical aspects of their claims and obtain the necessary documents/evidence to provide advice on funding/liability/quantum/costs.
• To instruct medico-legal experts to advise on liability, causation and quantum.
• To analyse and advise on strategy, tactics, and how best to achieve the most successful outcome for each client according to the particular circumstances of their case.
• To endeavour to achieve optimum settlements for clients, whether that be pre-litigation, or by conducting litigation through to trial or earlier settlement and to deal with post trial/settlement considerations including costs.
• To enable clients and/or their litigation friends to make informed decisions based on advice.
• To ensure the timely and effective deployment of others involved in the matter e.g. expert witnesses, enquiry agents, counsel, cost draftsmen.
• To comply with the Civil Procedures Rules.

Client relations

• To deal with clients in a sensitive, professional and compassionate way.
• To identify clients’ objectives and to seek to further them in a manner consistent with all professional and ethical obligations.

Business development

• Take part in business development activities relevant to the role and department.

Professional standard

• To work and behave in a professional manner and within the highest ethical and other standards of the profession.
• Comply with procedures set out in the office manual, professional standards and any requirement set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or similar interested bodies e.g. Legal Expense Insurers.
• To ensure monetary transactions are dealt with efficiently and in accordance with professional rules.
• To maintain the strictest standards of client confidentiality at all times.

Other responsibilities

• To anticipate as well as to respond to clients’ needs and demands.
• Sharing of information with colleagues.
• To participate in the growth and development of the department/firm.

Management of resources

• To assist the firm in maximising income and profitability by effective time recording, billing and staff planning.

Training

• To keep up to date with developments in law and practice.
• Individuals who need CPD hours must keep their records up to date and comply with the relevant CPD requirements.

Information technology

• Wherever possible, to utilise I.T. to provide a quality, cost effective and efficient service to clients.
• To maintain the strictest concern for and awareness of the need for data protection at all times.

Any other tasks as might from time to time be required.

Person specification

• Ability to demonstrate a commitment to equality, access to justice and affordable legal advice of the highest quality.
• Experience in personal injury law. It would ideally suit lawyers with 0-2 years of post-qualification experience.
• Demonstrable knowledge in conduct of cases from initial advice through to trial.
• Relevant experience in analysing complex factual and legal situations and advising clients in accordance with their aims.
• Substantial experience in dealing sensitively with clients and experts, providing solutions and managing difficult situations and conversations.
• Ability to analyse complex factual and legal situations and advise as to the critical path that should be followed.
• A keenness to engage in business development.
• Solid experience in using a variety of IT packages (MS Word, Excel, Case Management Systems and Outlook).
• Excellent communication skills, demonstrated by ability to communicate accurately, clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent time management skills demonstrated by ability to organise and prioritise a complex workload and work to tight deadlines.
• Experience in working and contributing in a team environment.