The firm
DMH Stallard 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.. With offices in London and across the region, including Brighton, Gatwick, Guildford, Horsham, and Hassocks - we're proud to have grown to around 380 people.
Culture really matters to us. In our most recent staff survey, 99.6% of our people said DMH is a great place to work, with 90% feeling they have a strong work-life balance, and 93.9% expressing confidence in the leadership team.
We're committed to building a genuinely inclusive and supportive workplace. Our Women in Law group meets quarterly, and we're actively working toward gender balance at all levels. We already exceed the industry average, with 40% of our partners being women compared to the sector average at 29%.
We actively invest in learning and development at all career stages. Our mentoring programme is available to all partners, and we are preparing to launch an internal mentoring programme to support progression right up to partnership. We also recognise that work-life balance is essential to long-term success and wellbeing, and we promote hybrid working arrangements to help our people perform at their best inside and outside of work.
We're also especially proud to achieve gold accreditation from Investors in People, which reflects our strong commitment to people development and leadership.
The department
Job Purpose
* Lawyer required to undertake a wide variety of residential property transactions.
* To operate as an effective member of the Hassocks Real Estate Group, specialising in sales and purchases of freehold and leasehold property across a range of values and complexity.
* To be responsible under supervision for own caseload of work and own fee targets.
* To achieve the targets as defined by the Group Head/Head of Department.
Responsibilities And Duties
* Be responsible for dealing with a wide range of non-contentious residential property work as detailed above.
* To participate and contribute to the Real Estate group to ensure an effective working environment, supporting Associates and Partners on more complex matters as appropriate.
* To be responsible for ensuring achievement of own key financial targets, including fees, contribution and payment of debts and disbursements.
* To maintain accurate data in the Firm's case management system and the Firm's financial management systems.
* 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.
* To scope all matters appropriately, including use of Engagement Summaries and supporting documents as required, completing all required Client Due Diligence and carrying out Source of Funds checks in order to comply with the Firm's Risk Policies.
* 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 with marketing and business development initiatives such as writing for e-bulletins, attending and presenting at seminars and attending other business development activities.
* Be fully familiar with the Anti-Money Laundering and FSMA Policies and Procedures and to ensure full compliance with them.
* Maintain CQS accreditation.
* Conform to the risk management procedures as stated by the Firm.
* Attend regular meetings with the Group Head/Department Head as required to review all current work and workloads.
Other information
Knowledge, Skills And Experience Required
* Previous residential property experience essential, and the ability to sit and pass the CQS accreditation exams.
* Knowledge of property legislation, and relevant case law.
* Possess an ability to effectively time manage in order to achieve client and internal deadlines.
* A good understanding of the importance of outstanding client care with an ability to deal with a wide range of clients with differing objectives.
* Ability to work within a team and provide support to other solicitors and Partners as appropriate.
* Possess confident Excel skills.
* Competent IT skills including Outlook, Word and time-recording systems.
* An ability to draft documentation with attention to detail.
* Demonstrate an understanding of the strategy and vision of the firm.
* An ability to communicate effectively with clients, in writing, over the telephone, by email and in meetings.
* Ability to 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