Family Solicitor (Public and Private Children) (5+ years PQE)
Bridgwater
Salary up to £60k DOE
The successful candidate will be based initially at our Bridgwater office, however there is scope for hybrid (home) working.
We are recruiting an experienced Family Law Solicitor to join our dynamic legal aid practice. The successful candidate will be working with the Head of our Family Department.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE:
1. Report directly to Department Director/Head of Family.
2. Building and managing a caseload; responsible for all aspects of Child Care and Legal Aid work including client care, provision of expert representation and advice, as well as undertaking your own advocacy.
3. Assisting in managing and supervising Solicitors, Trainee Solicitors and Paralegals.
4. Assisting with delivery of appropriate training and development in the department and providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members.
5. Variety of duties including dealing with a range of primarily legally aided public and private children cases including Care, Placement and Adoption proceedings, child abduction, child protection issues, Special Guardianship, Family Law Act and Children Act matters.
6. Maintain accurate and complete files and records in line with SRA/SQM and Legal Aid Agency standards and procedures.
7. Assist with running the legal aid contract as appropriate, bill files, complete legal aid applications and comply with other Legal Aid Agency requirements including Supervision.
KEY SKILLS REQUIRED:
1. Must have a clean, valid Practising Certificate at the time of applying.
2. At least 5 years PQE.
3. Candidates must meet the Legal Aid Agency Supervisor Standard for public law children and have significant experience of acting for clients in public/private children law matters.
4. Registered with the Law Society and Children Panel Membership is desirable.
5. Strong management skills.
6. Committed team player with ability to approach team concerns fairly, foster culture of positive change and encourage cross referrals.
7. Previous proven supervisory experience and working to key performance indicators.
8. Professional with a pro-active approach; excellent client care skills and ability to deal with vulnerable clients and resolve complicated practicalities involved in childcare issues.
9. Excellent networking and communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Company and generate new business.
10. Working knowledge of the publicly funded Child Care work and have the ability to service privately funded cases.
11. Extensive experience in dealing with this area of law, ideally with experience in managing cases involving domestic abuse and injunctive applications.
12. Experience in own advocacy is an advantage.
13. Excellent IT Skills - familiar with Microsoft Office applications and case/document management skills.
What we offer:
1. Competitive salary.
2. A fantastic supportive team.
3. Excellent progression opportunities.
4. Support for appropriate legal awards/recognition.
5. Generous holiday entitlement.
6. Bonus scheme.
7. Flexible/hybrid working.
8. A positive friendly working environment within a firm that respects the work/life balance and welfare of its employees, and rewards hard work.
9. Pension.
10. On site parking.
The Company will support your career progression if you decide to pursue Children, Family or Family Advanced Panel accreditation with the Law Society or Resolution.
Hours: Full-time – 37.5 hours per week; 9.00am-5.30pm Monday–Friday (alternative working arrangements including part-time hours will be considered).
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