The firm
DMH Stallard is an award winning South East law, Legal 100 firm with offices in London, Brighton, Gatwick, Guilford, Horsham and Hassocks. DMH Stallard has grown rapidly since it was established in 1970, and has a headcount of approx 380. Our firm provides a comprehensive range of commercial, dispute resolution and litigation, employment, cyber security and cyber-crime, corporate, intellectual property, real estate and technology, media and telecoms advice to both businesses and individuals. Our clients, our people and our professional networks are the keys to our success.
The department
Our Dispute Resolution Family Team handle all manner of family legal services covering family, child, relationship and separation cases including pre-nuptial agreements to divorce and financial disputes and settlements.
Job Purpose:
To operate as an effective member of the Family Team sitting in the Dispute Resolution Group based predominantly in the Brighton office but may have to travel to the Horsham office on occasion.
Provide legal & administrative support to fee-earners within the Sussex Family Team and support the Senior Family Solicitor in Brighton in particular.
To achieve the targets as defined by the Group Head/Head of Department, including contribution and hours.
To work with and assist members of the Family Team in the day-to-day running of cases.
To assist the admin team with taking detail and instructions from potential new clients and working with more senior fee earners to arrange appointments Responsibilities and duties:
Personal
To participate and contribute to the Family Team and the Dispute Resolution group to ensure an effective working environment, supporting Associates and Partners on more complex matters as appropriate
Attend relevant technical training to ensure that skills and knowledge remain up-to-date
To attend and contribute to group meetings
Taking calls from new clients and arranging for them to meet with a more senior fee earner for initial consultations.
Annually participate in appraisals/objective meetings, forwarding a copy to HR Legal
Work as part of the Dispute Resolution (Family) Group dealing with, but not limited to divorce; matrimonial arbitration/mediation; pre-nuptial agreements; custody agreements; wills & trusts disputes etc.
Drafting documents, reports & correspondence as dictated by Associates & Partners
Attend meetings as requested by Associates & Partners with subsequent drafting of minutes
Attend court as requested by Associates & Partners and associated support work as required Financial
Maintaining accurate data on case manager
To monitor own performance in relation to file closures, file openings, time recording and to take appropriate action to ensure targets are met? Client Care
To be responsible for the delivery of the service to the client, ensuring that the highest standards of client care are maintained so that clients use DMHS again and recommend the firm to others.
To assist in the monthly generation of bills;
Administrative support to the Sussex team in general to include audio typing, filing and secretarial duties.Other information
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required
Some previous experience of litigation and/or Family work would be an advantage (or a demonstrable ability to do so)
Some knowledge of Civil Procedure Rules and the Family Procedure Rules
Some knowledge of general family related legislation and relevant case law
Able to effectively manage their time to achieve client and internal deadlines
An understanding of the importance of client care and ability to communicate effectively with clients, in writing, over the telephone and in meetings
Able to work within a team and provide support to Associates and Partners as appropriate
Confident Excel skills sufficient to enable the reviewing of relevant matters
Excellent IT skills including Outlook, Word, Digital Dictation
Ability to communicate well orally and in writing, including dealing directly with clients when required.
Strong standard of written English, grammar, punctuation and spelling with the ability to produce high quality written work with minimal corrections.
Attention to detail; Exceptional organisational skills; Numerate.
Strong team working ethic; Effective administrative skills; Flexibility.
Ability to work well under pressure and be proactive.
Experience in a case manager system. Benefits:
25 days holiday (of which 3.5 are taken during the Christmas period), plus Birthday holiday, plus Bank Holidays.
Life Assurance
Private Healthcare
Employee Assistance Programme
Sodexo Discounts
Pension Scheme
Interest free season ticket loans
Cycle to work scheme
Discounts on Legal work