Legal Assistant

Job title: Trainee Solicitor Reports to: Director A two year training programme across a number of seats, usually four. You will be regarded as afee earning member of staff during this time, expected to provide a high quality legal service to all our clients, under the supervision and training of a qualified solicitor. The Trainee Solicitor is expected to use a high degree of self-management and initiative. This will include but will not be limited to the main responsibilities given below. Required skills, knowledge and experience Essential 1. A trainee solicitor must hold (or be in a position to hold on commencement of employment) the necessary academic and vocational qualifications required by the Law Society and be enrolled as a student member of the Law Society. 2. You will have a good academic record having preferably obtained a 2.1 degree or higher at University, and have passed all the necessary law exams. 3. Good knowledge of the law including our key practice areas. 4. High intellectual ability, including ability to learn and research. 5. Well presented, friendly and approachable. 6. Common sense, including the ability to make decisions, advise clients on the appropriate course of action based on the facts in the client’s best interest. 7. Ability to communicate effectively with others face to face, on the telephone and in writing, using appropriate language for different individuals as required ie distressed individuals, people of all ages, business clients, other solicitors, people for whom English is not their first language. 8. Good organisational skills, high degree of initiative, able to prioritise tasks effectively. This will be required when you are assisting in the preparation of cases where you will be working under pressure and to tight deadlines. 9. Ability to speak eloquently in public and where necessary be willing to undertake advocacy in Courts at interlocutory hearings. 10. Experience of and willingness to work for people of all kinds and levels and to recognise that everyone is entitled to equal opportunities before the law. 11. An interest in marketing and developing the firm’s practice. 12. Sets quality as a prime objective in everything s/he does. 13. Discrete and aware of the duties of confidentiality in respect of client and firm business. Desirable 14. Used to working with computerised case management systems. 15. Touch typing of more than 40 words per minute. Key tasks Conduct cases - under supervision of a Partner  Conduct interviews with clients.  Assess legal problems.  Advise clients on costs.  Conduct legal research.  Devise outline strategy for case.  Draft case papers.  Prepare standard and non-standard correspondence and documents through audio-typing and word processing.  Obtain information from relevant experts.  Administer filing which will include daily filing and the opening, closing, storage and retrieval of client files in accordance with the detailed procedures contained in the Office Manual.  Make appointments, arrange meetings and to maintain an up-to-date diary for their principal.  Undertake any specific training when required to do so and overall to have a responsibility towards self-development.  Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the other side’s case.  Brief barristers.  Negotiate settlements.  Meet deadlines for court appearance.  Attend Court with counsel and take  Complete time recording.  Maintain orderly files.  Deal with billing, paying costs and closing files.