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
Job Purpose:
To operate as an effective member of the Personal Injury group.
To provide legal & administrative support to the Group Head, Senior Associate and the wider team in the Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence team.
To eventually progress into a fee earning Paralegal position and achieve the targets as defined by the Group Leader, including contribute to hours and fees.
To support and contribute to the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence practice within the group. Responsibilities and Duties:
Personal
To participate and contribute to the Personal Injury group to ensure an effective working environment, supporting the Group Head, Senior Associate and the wider team.
Attend the internal training programme and other relevant technical training to ensure that skills and knowledge remain up-to-date
Maintain awareness of the legal market specifically relating to PI claims and clinical negligence
Continuously develop their own technical expertise Legal
Carry out various tasks as and when required either by allocation through the case management templates or by direct delegation from fee earners
Preparation of correspondence and documents from precedents, digital-dictation and manuscript in compliance with DMH Stallard house style guide
Completion of standard forms without fee earner assistance and production of standard letters without dictation
Preparation of trail bundles
Preparing bundles and drafting instructions to counsel to advise
Chasing clients for instructions
Taking initial instructions from potential clients
Drafting applications
Chasing hospitals, GPs and doctors for notes, records and reports and collating the same.
Preparing matters for costing and drafting costs schedules
Quantum reports
Provide cover for telephones from 8.30am to 5.30pm if required. Financial
Maintaining accurate data on case manager and The Bus
To monitor own performance in relation to the number of live files, file closures, file openings, billing, 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. Risk
To be fully familiar with the Money Laundering and FSMA Policies and Procedures and to ensure full compliance with them
Conforming to the risk management procedures as stated by the firm
Attend regular meetings with the group to review all current work and workloads.
Other information
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:
Some previous legal work experience as a Paralegal, is preferred.
Knowledge of civil procedures rules essential and awareness of the recent changes in legislation preferred.
A commitment to client care and enthusiasm for personal injury work and clinical negligence work
Understanding the importance of client care with an ability to deal with a wide range of clients with differing objectives including being able to understand the personal objectives of the client
Able to effectively manage their time to achieve client and internal deadlines.
Able to work within a team and provide support to fee-earners as appropriate
Confident Excel skills sufficient to enable the reviewing of relevant matters
Competent IT skills including Outlook, Word and Aderant/iManage
Attention to detail and accuracy
Understanding of the strategy and vision of the firm
Communicate effectively with clients, in writing, over the telephone and in meetings
Convey technical legal information in an effective and accessible way. 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