Purpose of job
If you are seeking a new, challenging role with a modern, forward-thinking firm, then this could be the role for you! You will be given significant responsibilities, with the opportunity to manage your own caseload as well as play a significant part in growing the practice.
You will provide professional, proactive, high level legal support to an allocated group of fee earners and to the wider fee earning team. The role is within a team that manages a diverse caseload of all types of planning and environmental work. In the main, the role will focus on delivering high quality planning advice to our local planning authority, housebuilder and development clients.
Experience of Planning, Environmental, Highways, CPO and Public Access law is very much preferred, but it is acknowledged that these areas are both broad, wide-ranging but also complex and detailed such that many candidates may only have limited experience in a number of these areas, if at all. Willingness to learn about those area where there is no experience is essential.
Accountabilities
Reporting to the Head of Team the role includes delivering high quality legal services to clients, performance and risk management and business development activities. The role requires management and control of varied caseload, workload, and risk management in relation to the role. It includes helping to develop relationships across departments and offices, as well as interaction with other law firms and professionals.
The role also involves working with the leadership team from time to time, assisting in the design, delivery and implementation of system changes, workflow and process improvements, as well as being involved in business development activities to promote the office and the business as a whole.
The candidate
We are see seeking an Associate / Senior Associate with a minimum of 5+ years PQE who ideally has gained experience within a regional, national or City firm with a well-developed knowledge in a range of Planning, Environmental and Compulsory Purchase.
You will be active in marketing and business development in order to expand this area of work and gain new clients, building good relationships with referrers in the local area.
The understanding to have a flexible approach to work to ensure client deadlines are always met and clients are communicated with on a consistent and regular basis.
Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile and part time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.
Equal opportunities
One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we are appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. A competitive salary and benefits package is given but you can also expect a great team and supportive colleagues, a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, a programme of wellbeing and mental health support and structured career development and study support.
Benefits
One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we’re appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:
1. 25 days holiday (FTE), increasing to 30 days from Senior Associate plus Bank Holidays
2. Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
3. Private Healthcare - BUPA (after 6 month's probation)
4. Scottish Widows Pension Scheme
5. Staff Profit Share / Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
6. Paid CSR day
7. Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
8. Subsidised gym membership (Gym Flex)
9. Electric Car scheme
10. Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
11. Agile Working Policy
12. Dress for your Day Policy
We are committed to recruiting individuals on merits of suitability for each role, on the basis of qualifications and experience. All applications are treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, disability, religious beliefs and any other protected characteristic, ensuring that there are equal opportunities at all stages of the recruitment process.