About the team
We are looking for an Associate Solicitor to join our highly regarded Cycling team in London, led by Rory McCarron. Rory and his team primarily act for cyclists who have sustained life changing injuries but also represents other vulnerable road users such as pedestrians.
This is an exciting opportunity for either an experienced personal injury solicitor seeking a new challenge or a newly qualified/junior solicitor looking to develop their expertise in this specialism. You will work closely with an experienced and supportive team on high-quality cases, gaining exposure to complex litigation and making a genuine difference to clients' lives.
We are particularly interested in hearing from solicitors with a genuine interest in cycling and/or road justice who understand the challenges faced by vulnerable road users, even if they do not have direct personal injury experience. The role also offers opportunities to become involved in business development and community engagement, including supporting our longstanding relationships with British Cycling and other key industry and support groups.
Overall purpose of the role
- To assist the team with high value personal injury cases and run own caseload of cycling cases, the majority being RTCs involving cyclists, pedestrians and micromobility.
- To carry out business development relevant to the role, including building relationships with relevant support groups and assist with social media and website posts.
- To assist the firm in achieving its stated professional and commercial objectives.
Main duties and responsibilities
File management
- To manage personal injury cases from start to finish;
- To obtain accurate information and instructions from clients, analyse the legal and practical aspects of their claims and obtain the necessary documents/evidence to provide advice on funding/liability/quantum/costs.
- To instruct medico-legal experts to advise on liability, causation and quantum.
- To analyse and advise on strategy, tactics, and how best to achieve the most successful outcome for each client according to the particular circumstances of their case.
- To endeavour to achieve optimum settlements for clients, whether that be pre-litigation, or by conducting litigation through to trial or earlier settlement and to deal with post trial/settlement considerations including costs.
- To enable clients and/or their litigation friends to make informed decisions based on advice.
- To ensure the timely and effective deployment of others involved in the matter e.g. expert witnesses, enquiry agents, counsel, cost draftsmen.
- To comply with the Civil Procedures Rules.
Client relations
- To deal with clients in a sensitive, professional and compassionate way.
- To identify clients' objectives and to seek to further them in a manner consistent with all professional and ethical obligations.
Business development
- Take part in business development activities relevant to the role and department.
Professional standard
- To work and behave in a professional manner and within the highest ethical and other standards of the profession.
- Comply with procedures set out in the office manual, professional standards and any requirement set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or similar interested bodies e.g. Legal Expense Insurers.
- To ensure monetary transactions are dealt with efficiently and in accordance with professional rules.
- To maintain the strictest standards of client confidentiality at all times.
Other responsibilities
- To anticipate as well as to respond to clients' needs and demands.
- Sharing of information with colleagues.
- To participate in the growth and development of the department/firm.
Management of resources
- To assist the firm in maximising income and profitability by effective time recording, billing and staff planning.
Training
- To keep up to date with developments in law and practice.
- Individuals who need CPD hours must keep their records up to date and comply with the relevant CPD requirements.
Information technology
- Wherever possible, to utilise I.T. to provide a quality, cost effective and efficient service to clients.
- To maintain the strictest concern for and awareness of the need for data protection at all times.
Any other tasks as might from time to time be required.
Person specification
- Ability to demonstrate a commitment to equality, access to justice and affordable legal advice of the highest quality.
- Experience in either personal injury law, or equivalent transferable legal experience with a demonstrable interest in cycling. It would ideally suit lawyers with 0-2 years of post-qualification experience.
- Demonstrable knowledge in conduct of cases from initial advice through to trial.
- Relevant experience in analysing complex factual and legal situations and advising clients in accordance with their aims.
- Substantial experience in dealing sensitively with clients and experts, providing solutions and managing difficult situations and conversations.
- Ability to analyse complex factual and legal situations and advise as to the critical path that should be followed.
- A keenness to engage in business development.
- Solid experience in using a variety of IT packages (MS Word, Excel, Case Management Systems and Outlook).
- Excellent communication skills, demonstrated by ability to communicate accurately, clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
- Excellent time management skills demonstrated by ability to organise and prioritise a complex workload and work to tight deadlines.
- Experience in working and contributing in a team environment.
About Leigh Day
We are a top 100 law firm committed to claimant-only cases, ensuring that individuals have the same access to justice as the UK Government and large corporations. We're not afraid to take on difficult and challenging cases involving medical negligence, serious personal injuries, discrimination in the workplace, defective products and human rights abuses in this country and overseas.
Benefits
Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
- Hybrid working (typically 2-3 days from home for a full time worker)
- 29 days annual leave (excluding public holidays)
- Enhanced pension contributions
- Life assurance 4 x salary
- Healthcare cash plan
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Discounted gym membership
- Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
- Electric car scheme
