We are seeking an experienced Litigator to assist in a fast paced, thriving, resilient and varied practice dealing with civil litigation within our specialist Housing Disrepair Department.
The ideal Litigator candidates should have strong post qualification, or a wealth of vocational, experience in civil litigation and will be required to handle all aspects of their cases from the pre-action stage up to and including appeals, if required. Successful candidates will be proactive in developing and following appropriate dynamic litigation strategies both alone and as part of a team.
Responsibilities of a Litigator include:
* Managing a civil litigation caseload from inception to conclusion.
* Investment of time to become a subject matter expert in your litigation practice area.
* Providing technical and litigation mentoring and guidance to fee earners and legal assistants within the team.
* Creating initial case plans by assessing client instructions and analysing available documentation at the outset of a case to determine suitable litigation strategies.
* Proactive consideration of cases at all stages to ensure litigation strategies are always current and appropriate, depending on the issues involved.
* Liaising with clients to prepare statements and to obtain documentary evidence, to allow full and proper analysis of case prospects.
* Providing clients with appropriate and practical advice at all stages of the litigation.
* Preparation of documents to include correspondence, pleadings and witness statements.
* Co-ordinating case strategy and settlement conferences with external counsel, where required.
* Dealing with correspondence and telephone calls.
* Ensuring clients are fully updated by email, letter or telephone providing up to date, adequate and clear information about the progress of a case.
* Liaising with accounts to ensure funds are allocated to the appropriate accounts in line with the Solicitor Accounts Rules 2011.
* Full compliance with the SRA Code of Conduct 2011.
Qualifications/Experience
* Solicitor Qualification, CILEX or minimum 3 years litigation experience is a must.
* Housing disrepair experience is preferred.
* Effective use of case management and time recording systems
* Strong customer services skills and client outcome focussed.
* Adherence to SLAs, KPIs and Court litigation timetables
* Proactive and efficient management of your own litigation caseload
* Management of client expectations, including effective resolution of any complaints that arise, in line with Company policy.
* Candidates must possess comprehensive litigation experience from pre-action protocol stage, to commencing proceedings and dealing with them all the way through to trial, including full participation in Court case management and making applications.
* Multi track experience is preferable. Fast Track Litigation experience is a must.
* Candidates must have experience in instructing counsel, attending conferences and general liaison with counsel.
* Professional and effective communication with individual and business contacts, with opponents, experts and with the court
* Any other duties as required.
Benefits
* Competitive basic salary
* Market Leading and uncapped bonus based on quarterly billing and cash collection.
* 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
* Birthday off
* Additional day off over Christmas.
* “Me time” – 8 hours for external appointments across the year.
* Employee Assistance programme.
* Salary sacrifice for car parking
* Loyalty scheme
* Staff referral Bonus