Associate Solicitor, Human Rights - Abuse, 2-5PQE (12 month FTC)

• Associate Solicitor, Human Rights - Abuse, 2-5PQE (12 month FTC)

Associate Solicitor, Human Rights - Abuse, 2-5PQE (12 month FTC)

Department:

Human Rights

Location:

London

Competitive

Contract type:

fixed term contract

About the team

This role will join Alison Millar's team, which specialises in conducting claims for adult survivors of non-recent sexual or physical abuse in childhood, claims for the mistreatment of children and adults at risk of harm in care settings and individuals who have suffered sexual assault in a healthcare setting or within the workplace.

The team has extensive experience of claims brought on a vicarious liability basis against a wide range of organisations including local authorities, in relation to abuse perpetrated in children's homes and community schools; independent schools; churches; sporting organisations and membership organisations.

About the role

We are looking for a 2-5 PQE solicitor to join the team on a temporary basis to provide additional support to the team during a critical period. This role will suit someone with a solid grounding in private law claims involving personal injury and human rights breaches, ideally within the context of abuse work.

Please note it is critical that applicants understand that this role will require working on cases, some of which involve sexual abuse, the details of which may be distressing. Working for abuse survivors can be very rewarding but also personally challenging, requiring emotional resilience and an ability to work in a trauma-informed and boundaried way.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Obtain and assess accurate information and instructions from clients, analysing the legal and practical aspects of claims.
• Develop and advise on strategies and tactics to achieve optimal outcomes for clients, including managing pre-litigation settlements and progressing cases to trial.
• Provide post-trial/settlement advice, manage costs, and consider the potential for appeals when necessary.
• Enable clients and their litigation friends (if applicable) to make informed decisions based on advice on legal considerations, funding options, and risks.
• Monitor all aspects of case progress, ensure timelines and procedural requirements are met, and handle necessary applications to protect clients' positions.
• Manage financial transactions, including billing and costs, in compliance with professional rules and firm procedures.
• Strict adherence to Civil Procedure Rules.

Client relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, providing sensitive, professional, and compassionate communication.
• Understand clients' objectives and work to further them while maintaining high ethical standards in all communications and dealings.

Professional standards

• Uphold the highest professional standards in all aspects of the role, including maintaining client confidentiality and complying with legal and regulatory requirements.
• To lead by example by working and behaving in a professional manner and within the highest ethical standards of the profession and the Leigh Day Citizen's Charter

Team and collaboration

• Collaborate with colleagues to share information and best practices, contributing to the development of team members and fostering a supportive working environment.
• Provide effective support to junior members of the team as appropriate, helping them to develop professionally and ensuring high standards of service.
• Engage in external marketing activities, including seminars, writing articles, and participating in professional organizations to increase the department's visibility and reach.

Management of resources

• Help ensure the efficient use of resources within the department, contributing to profitability through effective time recording and billing practices.

Information Technology

• Utilise technology to provide an efficient, high-quality service while maintaining a strong focus on data protection and compliance with legal requirements.
• Stay updated on relevant law developments to ensure accurate and up-to-date advice to clients.
• To ensure learning and development plans are completed and that CPD records are up to date and compliant with SRA and Lexcel requirements.

Person specification

• Ability to demonstrate a commitment to equality, access to justice and affordable legal advice of the highest quality.
• Qualified lawyer with 2-5 years' PQE in a relevant area of law.
• Relevant knowledge of domestic civil law and procedure.
• Demonstrable experience with managing private law claims involving personal injury and human rights breaches.
• A good working knowledge of the operation of the LAA scheme.
• Experience working with or on behalf of vulnerable individuals and / or a challenging client group with the ability to build trust and confidence.
• Ability to manage difficult situations and conversations.
• Strong emotional resilience given that working with this client group can be emotionally challenging at times.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability and sensitivity to tailor these to the intended audience.
• Experience of managing a large number of cases with limitation/service and court deadlines.
• Strong experience in using a variety of IT packages (MS Word, Excel, Case Management Systems and Outlook).
• Experience in working and contributing effectively to a team environment.
• Strong academic background.
• Direct experience of working on sexual and physical abuse claims will be highly advantageous.

About Leigh Day

We are a top 100 law firmcommitted to claimant-only cases, ensuring that individuals have the same access to justice as the UK Government and large corporations. We're not afraid to take on difficult and challenging cases involving medical negligence, serious personal injuries, discrimination in the workplace, defective products and human rights abuses in this country and overseas.

29 days' holiday per annum inclusive of 4 days' compulsory leave to be taken during the Christmas office closure, plus all public and bank holidays; two weeks' of working elsewhere; contributory pension scheme; life assurance (4 times annual salary); private medical insurance; interest free season ticket loan; childcare vouchers; cycle to work scheme; electric vehicle scheme. Our hybrid working policy for full-time employees is three days in the office and two at home, and we also offer free breakfast and lunch every day for those coming into to the office.

We also have annual social activities and genuinely pride ourselves on having a supportive and friendly culture.

Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

Leigh Day is committed to the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We value the diversity of our colleagues, our clients and the third parties with whom we work. We seek to create an environment where everyone feels included and valued for their unique characteristics, skills and abilities and supported in their needs and responsibilities.

We welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. Please let us know if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application or recruitment process. There is an option to detail this on your application form, however, please just get in touch should you wish to discuss this prior to formally submitting an application. Please note all conversations or disclosures are treated in the strictest confidence.

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