Newly Qualified Solicitor / Paralegal - Defence Litigation
Application Deadline: 24 February 2025
Department: Legal
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Belfast
Description
· To work with a team of Solicitors to assist with progression of matters, including discovery, analysis of quantum evidence, liaising with counsel and third party experts, trial preparation and legal research.
· To build and develop your own caseload.
Key Responsibilities
· Work within an insurance defence litigation specialist area, to pursue completion of files in line with client instruction to the commercial benefit of Keoghs.
· Communicate, build and utilize relationships with colleagues, clients and third parties in a professional and knowledgeable manner; including all methods of communication: in person, over the phone and written.
· Proactively identifying next steps required on matter, discussing those aspects with the Lead Lawyer and taking action as agreed.
· Interviewing witnesses and drafting statements.
· Liaising with parties involved in claims including the insured, insurer, witnesses etc.
· Drafting pleadings and applications.
· Instructing counsel and attending conferences, JSMs, mediations both remotely and in person.
· Attend court in person or by telephone, attend trials, settlement conferences etc as required.
· Delivery of agreed performance targets and quality standards.
· Maintaining case management systems with up to date management information for clients.
· To ensure compliance with the LSNI regulations.
Working Hours
35 hours per week
Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch.
Primary location for this role is Belfast Office.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
· This role would be best suited to a Newly Qualified Solicitor or experienced file handling Paralegal. Experience of Industrial Disease claims is desired, but not essential.
· Experience of indemnity, liability and quantum desirable.
· Experience of cases involving complex medical issues preferred.
· Good telephone advocacy skills.
· Positive, confident and enthusiastic.
· Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills including the ability to compose professional written communications.
· Good advocacy skills.
· Excellent inter-personal and client care skills.
· Understanding of case law and litigation practice and process, and Court Practice Rules.
· Ability to plan and prioritise workloads, keep to deadlines and work under pressure.
· Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
· Ability to weigh facts, apply the law and make decisions.
· Ability to anticipate problems and identify solutions.
· Driven to achieve to take development opportunities when they arise with a positive attitude.
· Confidence to take initiative to innovate and adapt to changing situations.
· Confidence to seek advice and guidance when dealing with new tasks.
· Ability to follow instruction and with attention to detail and to give clear instruction, direction and guidance to more junior members of the team.
· Ability to recognise when sensitivity and tact are required.
· Ability to effectively work within a team.
· Proficient IT skills (Word, Excel and Office).
Benefits
* Davies Incentive Plan
* 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
* Family Cover Private Medical Insurance (Bupa) - will automatically be at single cover level but can opt into family option within first month of joining.
* Simply Health Care Cash Plan
* WeCare – 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing covering a whole host of topics to do with health, mental health, wellbeing & healthy living and financial & legal wellbeing
* Death in Service
* Critical Illness Cover
* PHI/Income Protection (Private health insurance)
* Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer
* Cycle to Work Scheme*
* Tech Scheme*
* Season Ticket Loan*
* Gym Flex*
* Access to Online Discount Sites
* Discounted Gourmet Society Membership
* Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide
* Discounts at local retail outlets
* after successfully completing probation
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