Solicitor

Start date: Immediate/ASAP

Collins Solicitors is an award winning, multi-service solicitors firm based in Central Watford. We are seeking a Solicitor with strong experience in Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence to join the team.

This role will be responsible for maximising departmental profitability whilst maintaining client care standards.

Tasks will include:

• Ensure the confidentiality and security of all Firm and client documentation and/or information
• Ensure that the client is regularly updated as to the current situation of the client’s matter
• Take instructions from clients on all litigation matters on behalf of the Firm and subsequently to assume responsibility for such work undertaken
• Deal with all telephone enquiries from clients as to our charges and other costs in respect of litigation matters
• Manage own caseload
• From time to time to appropriately delegate Litigation work to Trainee Solicitors and other junior staff employed by the firm. To supervise such work given and generally provide sufficient experience in such matters to satisfy Trainee’s Training Record
• Greet clients in a professional and pleasant manner and to ensure that they are accompanied at all times whilst on the premises
• Maintain clear and precise communications between yourself and other members of staff at all times
• Develop, support, and control ‘support staff’ in order that they possess the skills essential for the continued efficiency and success of the Firm, to encourage in ‘support staff’ the sense of team spirit which is a necessity for the future growth and expansion of the Firm
• Issue the client care documents at the relevant time
• Ensure that continuing contact is maintained with the client even if a matter is going through a period of inactivity for a perfectly justified reason. The client is entitled to be kept informed
• Deal with routine and difficult enquiries from telephone callers and clients effectively and efficiently and to ensure that all clients complaints are dealt with professionally and promptly to the complete satisfaction at all times and in accordance with the office complaints procedure
• Ensure all stock, equipment and machinery used is maintained in a safe and secure manner and any faults reported immediately
• Ensure quality of work produced by ‘support staff’ is to the highest standard and right first time
• Understand the obligations relating to client accounts and ensure that preparation and service of bills comply with Solicitors Accounts Rules.
• To take all necessary steps as directed from time to time by any relevant partner to follow the procedures of the Firm for payment for work undertaken and to press for payment of any outstanding relevant accounts.
• Responsible for ensuring that client and matter in-put documents are completed in line with procedures laid down
• With the support of a Paralegal, maintain files in a neat and orderly state and to ensure that each file is reviewed at least once in every two month period unless there is a valid reason marked on the file for not so doing.
• Take positive steps to ensure that existing clients are aware of the various types of legal work carried on by the Firm
• Ensure that care is taken to ensure good working relationships with external institutions and organisations and ensure that they are properly maintained whilst still following the correct code of professional conduct.
• Maintain time recording on clients matters on a daily basis in accordance with the firm’s procedures.
• To adhere to the Law Society’s client care directive and to the Firm’s own policies as set out in the publications of this Firm. In particular to ensure knowledge of and compliance with:
• all relevant aspects of the Law Society Guide to Professional Conduct;
• the Lexcel Standard;
• the Office Manuals and other instruction books published by the partners from time to time
• To be active in ensuring that your training and continuing competence requirements remain up to date and the relevant Training Requirements of the Law Society and/or SRA and/or individual Panel accreditation are complied with and that you attend all training sessions directed for your attendance by any relevant partner or delegate.

Experience required:

• This is an office-based role, and the successful candidate must be able to commute to Watford Junction, Herts on a daily basis
• Qualified solicitor with strong experience, ideally 4-8 years in Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence
• Contribute to the firm's business development efforts by fostering and maintaining strong client relationships
• Committed team player and adapt well to new challenges
• Previous proven supervisory experience
• Professional with a pro-active approach; excellent client care skills and ability to deal with vulnerabilities client matters in a sensitive manner and resolve complicated practicalities
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Firm and generate new business
• Excellent analytical and organisational skills
• Ability to use own initiative and sound judgment
• Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills
• This list is not exhaustive and there may be other duties as reasonably required

Our standard business hours are Mon – Fri 9.15-17.30.

Applications:

Please attach your CV together with a covering letter and apply below. Applications will be reviewed as they come in, so apply now to be considered for this Solicitor position.

For more information on our company please visit www.collinslaw.co.uk

Collins Solicitors is a signatory of the Law Society's Diversity and Inclusion Charter.

Strictly No Agencies