Head of Dispute Resolution

An exciting new opportunity has arisen to lead our Dispute Resolution Department.

We are looking for an experienced Solicitor to join as Head of Department. Ideal candidates will have experience of leading on complex matters, and will have some experience of managing/supervising team members.

To apply, please provide a covering letter (including your salary expectations) and CV, highlighting relevant skills and experience, to Emma Orford:.

Fee Earning/General

• Responsible for managing own busy caseload of civil litigation matters.
• Interview and advise clients, record information taken, advice given, decisions reached, and problems and potential solutions identified.
• Draft any documentation in accordance with efficient file management including correspondence, briefs, court documentation, full attendance notes and statements of evidence.
• Obtain all necessary information to formulate the case and assess means.
• Arrange and chair regular departmental meetings and ensure effective communication within the department.
• Attend management meetings as the representative of the department and Head of Department meetings.
• Time record in accordance with the firm's policy and prepare bills regularly and as required to ensure KPIs are achieved.
• Regularly report to client, agree courses of action, and ensure that the client is aware of likely outcome and costs of case (to include providing client with regular and accurate cost estimates when required).
• Maintain files and ensure efficient case management of matters.
• Continually review cases in the light of any new information.
• Maintain diary and case management systems.
• Manage delegated activities to experts, enquiry agents, costs draftspersons, counsel, other employees, and others.
• Advocacy - preparation of self, client, experts, and others.
• Keep up to date with developments in the law relevant to your matters.
• Achieve or exceed personal benchmarks and contribute to overall objectives.
• Protect and enhance existing relationships and understand client needs.
• Raise internal and external profile and develop expert status.
• Manage the performance and development of yourself and others.
• Champion the values and help make AK a great place to work.

Finance

• In line with the Career pathway, optimise profit through effective planning delivery and delegation.
• Work with Directors and the firms Accountant to prepare appropriate annual departmental budgets within the required parameters of turnover, profitability and contribution to overhead.
• Work with the department to meet the budgets on a monthly basis, reviewing performance against KPI's and reporting to the firms Accountant and Directors as required.
• Ensure appropriate credit control of the departmental case load, working with the Accounts Officer where required.
• Ensure implementation of the firm's Financial Management policies and procedures to ensure compliance with SARs.
• Support fee earners to undertake quarterly reviews of matter balance reports ensuring that matters are closed promptly and that residual client balances do not accumulate.

AML Risks

• Ensure compliance with the firm's policies and procedures to include a positive and proactive attitude towards compliance as part of the fee earning role.
• Check compliance across the team at key stages of matters to minimise the risk of money laundering, counter terrorist financing and counter proliferation financing.
• Ensure the team are appraised of updates to the policies and to lead any required procedural changes.
• Ensure the team have read the compliance bulletins, noted key changes and updated Vinciworks with reflective statements.

Compliance and Risk management

• Ensure the team are clear about identifying and reporting on fee earning risks.
• Liaise with the Risk and Compliance Officer to manage complaints that arise within the department and ensure that steps are taken and appropriate policy changes made to reduce re-occurrence.
• Undertake an annual review of the Departmental manual and suggest any required changes to the Risk and Compliance Officer and/or COLP.

Business Development

• In line with the Career pathway, develop the practice and contribute to new client relationships and revenue growth.
• Regular attendance at events to represent and promote the department and firm
• Build the profile of the team.
• Recommend ideas to the Business Development Director for regular and current topical blogs and articles.
• Engage with AK social media platforms.
• Lead the department to obtain client feedback.

Training and Development

• Ensure that members of the department have clear training and development plans.
• Conduct and co-ordinate regular performance and file reviews for all team members.
• Ensure the team promptly undertakes all training issued in the Vinciworks Learning Management System.
• A minimum of 5 years' PQE as a Dispute Resolution Solicitor with experience of leading on complex matters
• People management experience would be advantageous, either as line manager or supervisor
• Up-to-date specialist knowledge of the law and legal system, and relevant experience of handling a wide range of cases
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Excellent organisational skills
• Full clean driving license and use of a car
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel
• Experience of case management systems and time recording
• Knowledge and understanding of current AML regulations, SRA Accounts Rules, STARs and Code of Conduct
• Awareness of cyber security and data protection issues and legislation
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal); skilled in dealing sensitively with clients
• Flexibility to work outside of normal office hours to fulfil the requirements of the role