Job Description
Duncan Lewis Solicitors (Ltd):
Regulated by the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority, Duncan Lewis Solicitors was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in the City of London (Fenchurch Street EC3M), with offices nationwide. We are recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK independent legal directories as a top-tier law firm in all of our key practice areas - "a diligent and professional team that is prepared to go the extra mile for its clients". A paperless law firm with over 500 personnel that embraces hybrid-working, we service both corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 areas of law across 60 languages. We give people a voice - that is our ethos.
Recognised among The Times 200 Best Law Firms, we have been awarded Law Firm of the Year at the 2024 Lexis Nexis Awards and 2023 Modern Law Awards, reflecting our dedication to legal expertise and client service. We hold Investors in People Gold Standard accreditation for over 15 years, showcasing our commitment to professional development. Duncan Lewis is also Law Society Lexcel, Cyber Essentials Plus, and ISO 27001 certified, ensuring excellence in practice management and data security.
Department Background:
Applauded by The Legal 500 has 'an extremely knowledgeable and hugely capable child care team’, our highly specialised Child Care Department is ranked and recommended by The Legal 500 UK and Chambers & Partners UK independent legal directories for its expertise in all aspects of child care law.
Our specialist Child Care Law department brings exceptional insight and empathy to every case. We represent children, parents, guardians, and family members—providing expert advice on adoption, care arrangements, and complex issues involving same-sex couples, co-parenting, surrogacy, and more.
Our team includes Law Society Children Panel members and professionals affiliated with Resolution and the Association of Lawyers for Children. Duncan Lewis is also proud to be listed by the Lord Chancellor’s International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU).
With a track record of high-profile, sensitive cases—ranging from caste and underage marriage to international disputes—our department is recognised nationally for its excellence, integrity, and specialised care.
Main Responsibilities of the Role:
* Report directly to and collaborating with the Board to ensure performance targets are met
* Responsible for all aspects of Child Care work including providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members
* Ability to manage and supervise Solicitors, Trainee Solicitors and Caseworkers to manage appropriate caseload types and complexities
* Assisting with delivery of appropriate training and development in the department
* Variety of duties including dealing with a range of public and private children cases including child abduction, child protection issues, special guardianship and adoption matters as well as undertaking your own advocacy
* You will have a professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills and be interested in Business Development and Marketing to supplement the substantial work volumes brought in by the company
Key Skills Required
* 3 Years+ PQE
* Registered with the Law Society and Children Panel Membership is desirable.
* Must have a clean, valid Practicing Certificate at the time of applying
* Strong management skills
* Committed team player with ability to approach team concerns fairly, foster culture of positive change and encourage cross referrals
* Previous proven supervisory experience and working to key performance indicators
* Professional with a pro-active approach; excellent client care skills and ability to deal with vulnerable clients and resolve complicated practicalities involved in Child Care issues
* Excellent networking and communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Company and generate new business
* Working knowledge of the publically funded Child Care work and have the ability to service privately funded cases
* Have extensive experience in dealing with all Child Care work related work and some expertise on adoption matters
* Experience in own advocacy is an advantage
* Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills
The recruitment process will fully comply with GDPR and other applicable laws. Background checks including CRB / DBS checks will establish your eligibility to work in the UK and suitability to the role.
Equal Opportunities:
Duncan Lewis is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity of its staff. The Company strives to ensure that our staff reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, which is reflective at all levels within our workforce.
We guarantee an interview for candidates that disclose a disability and meet the essential requirements for the post. Please provide additional details in your covering letter if this applies.
If you are interested in applying for this vacancy, apply now or you can also visit our website and apply using our online process.