Solicitor

SOLICITOR OR LEGAL EXECUTIVE (Community Care/Court of Protection Health & Welfare)

READING

SALARY DEPENDANT ON EXPERIENCE

The Role

Reporting into the Senior Associate, you will be responsible for managing a caseload of privately fee-paying clients under the supervision of a senior fee earner.

In addition, you will also contribute to supporting junior fee earners, support staff and will play a key role in our growing niche Community Care and Court of Protection team.

The Candidate

We seek applicants with legal experience in Community Care and Court of Protection. Special Educational Needs experience is desirable but not essential.

For the right candidate, this is a great opportunity for a role with a clear progression path, including opportunities to get involved with business development.

We are open to candidates seeking a part-time or full-time role.

Responsibilities

· Managing a mixed caseload of Community Care and Court of Protection matters under supervision of senior fee earners. Subject to the candidate’s legal experience, there may be the opportunity for involvement with Special Educational Needs cases.

· Assisting with marketing events and business development.

· Assisting the Court of Protection Property & Affairs fee earners with Community Care/Public law and Court of Protection issues subject to Re ACC.

· Dealing with new enquiries from lay clients and Professional Deputies, including responding to Re ACC quotation requests.

· Drafting a range of complex legal documents including advice letters, grounds of appeal, formal complaints, instructions to experts and counsel, court forms and applications, position statements and witness statements.

· Opportunity for advocacy at needs assessments, dispute resolution meetings, statutory appeals and court or tribunal hearings.

· Liaising with clients, experts, public bodies, counsel and the Court.

· Overseeing preparation of bundles by junior fee earners and support staff.

· Assisting with the training and supervision of junior fee earners and support staff where appropriate.

· Ensuring work is maintained at a high level of quality throughout to promote the reputation of the firm.

· Assisting with management of fee estimates, invoicing and accounts processes.

Essential skills and experience

· Experience of Community Care and Court of Protection Health & Welfare.

· Ability to independently manage a mixed case load of privately fee-paying clients under the supervision of senior fee earners.

· Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

· Strong client care and interpersonal skills.

· Good verbal and written communication skills.

· Excellent IT skills plus good knowledge of Microsoft Office (including Excel spreadsheets).

Desirable skills

· Experience of Court of Protection Property & Affairs.

· Experience of Special Educational Needs law.

· Experience of advocacy (e.g. NHS Continuing Healthcare appeals, roundtable/ADR meetings)

· Experience of training and supervising junior fee earners and support staff.

Benefits:

Contractual

· Starting at 25 days holiday depending on level of role

· Pension scheme

· Life Assurance 5 x final salary

· Private medical insurance

Non-Contractual

· Travel season ticket loan

· Cycle to work scheme

· Medicash

· Bring your dog to work

· 1 additional day off for your birthday

· 1 x annual charity day off per annum

· 1 wellbeing hour off each week