Solicitor

Weightmans is a Top 45 law firm with offices throughout the UK. Having been recognised as the leading legal employer at the annual Britain's Top Employers awards 2021 and achieved record rankings in Chambers UK.

The independent research showed "Weightmans provides exceptional employee conditions, nurtures and develops talent throughout all levels of the organisation."

We are truly committed to fostering a culture of equality and diversity, where each individual in the firm is respected and recognised on merit for the work that they do.

We strongly encourage applications from people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations and disabilities. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustment at any stage of the application process.

Please feel free to note your preferred pronouns in your application.

Work for a firm where people matter – work for Weightmans.

As well as being immensely proud of the work we carry out for our clients and the culture we provide to our people we offer a wide range of benefits including;

• 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rated for part time)
• Agile / working from home including provision of home office equipment
• Healthcare cover/ Medicash
• Pension plan
• Life Insurance 4 X salary
• Interest free travel loan scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme including counselling, legal and consumer advice service
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounted dental scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Offers & discounts
• Great reward and recognition scheme
• Social Committee and CSR committee on each site

Our Casualty team provides a full, expert service in defending public and employers' liability claims, particularly workplace, public sector and claims against the emergency services. Weightmans' team is second-to-none in providing defendant litigation services in these specialist areas. We operate on a national basis with dedicated workplace, public and police teams.

To manage a caseload, and assist other case handlers with their caseloads, of local government litigation.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Specialise in acting on behalf of various local authorities and insurers, protecting their interests
• Manage a caseload of litigated files including Highways Law, Occupiers Liability Employers Liability and Housing disrepair.
• Assist on social care abuse claims, data breach claims, human rights and equality act and high value flooding cases
• Draft and perform legal research, investigations etc
• Draft pleadings, witness statements and prepare cases for trial
• Attend at conferences and Court
• Communicate with clients, Counsel and various other parties
• Achieve set financial and chargeable targets
• Ensure relevant deadlines, quality measures and KIPS are adhered to
• Comply with relevant policies and procedures
• Work in accordance with Weightmans’ values

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and you will be expected to perform other duties and have other responsibilities that fall within the wider remit of the role.

• Qualified solicitor 2-5 years PQE
• Genuine interest and previous experience in local government litigation
• Experience of acting for a local authority and their insurers would be desirable
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent collaborative and team working skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent IT skills
• Ability to work to deadlines and targets
• Flexible approach
• Previous in-house experience with a Local Authority legal team would be acceptable and of interest

Please note:

• Any reference to experience or PQE in our adverts or job descriptions is to be used as a guideline only. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and with different levels of experience who can demonstrate that they fulfil the requirements of the role.

• The successful candidate appointed to this role will be subject to our standard background checking process, and any offer of employment made is conditional upon successful completion of those checks. Further details can be obtained from the Recruitment team.

• We are open to part time/job share applicants.

• We're committed to diversity and inclusion and to creating an environment where everyone can reach their full potential.  For more information please click  on the following link:

https://www.weightmans.com/about-us/diversity-and-inclusion