Solicitor/Legal Executive

A leading UK law firm with a network of offices from the South Coast to Scotland, working together as one national team. An innovative practice and the first top 100 law firm to achieve “Gold Standard” Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. The lack of barriers between departments, a real lack of hierarchy, zero tolerance for arrogance and pomposity makes Shoosmiths a fantastic place to work.

Our Private Client Practice Group offers excellent service and legal advice and are committed to delivering an amazing client experience for companies in the UK. We all need a lawyer to look after our personal affairs at some point in our lives. Whether it's helping to buy a new home, settling a legal dispute or claiming compensation for a life-changing accident or medical injury, the law protects what is important to us. Today we call our Private Client offering Shoosmiths Access Legal because that's precisely what it does. It gives our private clients access to the law through friendly, approachable people who know that understanding individual need is the first step to making the law work.

Our Clinical Negligence team advises private clients on complaints and claims involving any type of medical negligence.

When life-changing injuries have been suffered or a Coroner decides to hold an inquest, a specialist team is needed with the experience and knowledge not only of this complex area of law, but also equipped with emotional skills and understanding that extend far beyond technical expertise.  Frequently it is the physical and emotional welfare of our clients that takes precedence over financial considerations, so the team has established partnerships with support groups and qualified individuals who can provide our private clients with the immediate physical and psychological support they may require.

We have a vacancy for a Solicitor/Legal Executive based in our Reading office who will be focused on providing an exceptional experience for all potential, new and existing clients.   You will be responsible for running your own caseload of low to medium value claims pre and post litigation to ensure that a just swift result is obtained with the best resources being made available for the client.

You will need to be a qualified solicitor or CILEX with up to 3 years PQE (or equivalent) and will need to demonstrate previous experience of handling of clinical negligence claims. 

• Possess legal knowledge in clinical negligence claims
• To undertake clinical negligence fee-earning work and provide a profitable contribution to Shoosmiths.
• Subject to supervision, to undertake the day to day conduct of matters dealing with all aspects of clinical negligence claims
• Possess a thorough working knowledge of the various funding methods available to clients bringing clinical negligence/personal injury claims to include legal expenses insurance, conditional fee agreements, private funding and Legal Services Commission funding
• Managing litigation timetables and deadlines.
• Gathering evidence to include medical reports
• Take detailed witness statements
• Visit clients around the UK        

Research and preparation of legal papers

• The successful candidate will need to provide excellent client care, have a good telephone manner, and have a professional approach.
• You will have an in depth knowledge of the CPR and court rules.
• You must demonstrate excellent organisational skills, an ability to work to deadlines and attention to detail.
• Although we will provide comprehensive training on our products, services and systems you will already have good keyboard skills and be familiar with Microsoft Office packages.
• Applicants must have experience in clinical negligence case handling or extensive personal injury case handling experience.
• A full clean driving licence is desirable.

People-management skills.

Shoosmiths is a committed Equal Opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.