Associate / Solicitor

Closing date: 13/07/2017
Term: Permanent
Working hours: Full-time
Team: Defendant Insurance
Location: Birmingham
Let us introduce ourselves…

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.

Meet the team

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 opportunity

The role:

You will provide a high quality service to clients on a full range of defendant insurance matters. 

Your key duties will be:

  • to assist a senior partner on a broad range of personal injury work often complex and high value in nature
  • running cases efficiently and cost effectively and within strict service level agreements as required by the client
  • handling a caseload of complex and less-complex matters with minimal supervision
  • active involvement in business development activities, both individually and as part of a team
  • attending and conducting client meetings
  • dealing with high value and/or complex injury claims
  • supervision and support of junior members of the team
  • high level of client interaction

Skills and experience you will have:

  • a minimum of 4 years experience in insurance litigation
  • experience of working within a defendant insurance firm is essential
  • effective communicator and team player

Key competencies you will need:

  • a high degree of initiative and the ability to cope in a demanding environment
  • an entrepreneurial nature and an outgoing manner
  • excellent organisational and time management skills
  • strong negotiation and communication 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
Equal opportunities

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.