Senior Litigation Legal Assistant

Shakespeare Martineau is a law firm with big ambitions for both our clients and our people. We are one firm of original thinkers, inspired to create an outstanding future for our clients, our people and our community. 

Working with organisations of all sizes our team delivers a broad range of specialist legal services, and has particular expertise across sectors including but not limited to; energy, education, banking & financial services, investment funds and advanced manufacturing.  

Our vision is to be the outstanding legal force in our specialist sectors and markets. Our people are renowned for their flair and individuality.  We recruit people who have a blend of excellent technical and business skills with the talent to do things differently.

We firmly believe that people and spirit are at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment is to help all our people fulfil their careers and ambitions and we strive to create an environment where each individual can understand and then achieve their full potential. Great performance for us is a blend of excellent technical and business skills and the talent and drive to do things differently.

Our Litigation & Dispute Resolution group has a long-standing experience of working with some of the most successful and influential businesses in the UK and also internationally. Our specialist teams combine expertise with a sound understanding of the commercial landscape to provide exceptional solutions for every aspect of our clients’ corporate requirements.

Our specialist Defendant Insurance team represent a variety of blue-chip clients, insurers and intermediaries advising in all matters of contention arising out of employer, public, property and motor liability claims. In addition to defending such claims we lead, often as part of the first response team, investigations into causation liaising with all relevant stakeholders. Additionally we advise insurers and syndicates on matters of indemnity and coverage including declaratory proceedings. We are also known for representing household insurance names, often dealing with very complex and high value claims. With an insurance pedigree going back to the 1960’s, our am is to become the premium service provider of choice within the insurance market.

The role:

You will provide a high quality legal service to clients on the full range of defendant insurance matters whilst supporting the senior fee earners administratively. 

Your key duties will be:

• assisting partners and solicitors to produce high quality legal services to clients on a broad range of defendant insurance work
• dealing with clients and third parties in a professional manner, maintaining close and regular contact as required
• assisting with monthly billing, all client specific billing and other related financial administration
• dealing with all forms of liability, injury and motor claims
• dealing with employer and public liability claims, including reporting to clients and adherence to SLA requirements
• supporting and assisting senior fee earners and partners in the delivery of service level agreements
• assisting with promotional and business development activity, as required
• maintaining good file management, including electronic and paper storage, archiving and filing
• taking telephone calls, handling queries and enquiries where appropriate
• photocopying, scanning and collating documentation
• opening and closing files, as required
• carrying out legal research, as required

Skills and experience you will have:

• a minimum of 12 - 18 months’ previous experience of contentious legal work is preferred
• a relevant qualification
• previous experience in using a case management system

Key competencies you will need:

• a desire to exceed client expectations
• strong negotiation and communication skills
• the ability to build rapport with colleagues and clients alike
• a high degree of initiative and the ability to cope in a demanding environment
• excellent organisational and prioritising skills
• to be highly enthusiastic, willing to go the extra mile and be happy to go beyond the job description
• to be respectful towards others and have a positive, willing and ‘can do’ attitude
• to be keen to learn, interested in driving your own career progression and be proactive in taking ownership of this

Ideally candidates will have, or will be looking to attain, a legal qualification and be interested to pursue a career in the law.

Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.