Job Listing

JOIN US & MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a panel accredited fee earner to work in our Mental Health team.

Swain & Co Solicitors is a successful and well established legal practice based, primarily, on the South Coast.  We have been practicing mental health law for many years and have a large client base across the country.

We are looking to expand so that we can continue to assist those most in need and provide advice and representation in all aspects of Mental Health Law.

The mental health department at Swain & Co prides itself on excellence and is dynamic and driven with the emphasis on empowering people to make positive change.

We are looking for someone to join our team from July 2018.

The successful candidate must be a current member of the Law Society’s Mental Health Accreditation Scheme and will be required to undertake advocacy and all types of work in Mental Health Tribunals.

In return, we offer competitive salary commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience and a supportive work environment.

Person Specification

• Law Society’s Panel Membership
• The necessary qualifications and experience to meet LAA requirements for Mental Health Supervisor;
• Experience in advocacy work and caseload in mental health cases
• Demonstrable commitment to teamwork and leadership potential
• Commercial awareness
• Track record of developing a case load and client care skills.

The successful candidate will be based at our Havant office and consideration will be given to the possibility of working remotely.

We require an experienced individual who has confidence, drive and a sense of responsibility to provide full time permanent legal advice to our clients in our Family Law Department in Havant.

We are a busy multi-disciplinary law practice who carry out a mixture of Legal Aid and private work between the hours of 9am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday

with the Family team providing an evening service until 8pm on Wednesdays.

The role requires an individual who can:

• “Hit the ground running”
• Achieve own profitability/revenue targets
• Support the department as a whole in achieving targets
• Managing client relationships to achieve client care standards of excellence
• Supervise support department support staff and assist the Head of Department in the supervision of less experienced fee earners within the scope of own field of expertise

The duties of the role will include, but are not limited to:

• Attending upon clients to interview, take instructions and advise
• Advocacy on behalf of clients
• Negotiating to secure agreed objectives
• Dealing with correspondence in connection with clients’ cases
• The perusal and drafting of documents
• The billing of cases on a monthly basis
• Participation in marketing and promotional activities 

The successful candidate will have: 

• Been admitted as a Solicitor or CILex
• A current Practising Certificate (where relevant) without restrictions
• A high degree of understanding in the area of expertise covered
• Familiarity with forms and other relevant documentation relating to Child Care matters
• A high standard of interpersonal and communication skills
• A pleasant personality and the ability to be able to communicate effectively using a variety of media
• Competency in the use of Microsoft applications
• Strong organisational abilities
• The ability to be able to act under pressure

Whilst not essential, desirable attributes would be:

• Panel Membership or desire to obtain Membership
• Valid Driving Licence with own transport
• Previous experience of Legal Aid matters would be advantageous

What we can offer:

• Supportive and forward thinking team environment
• Work-life balance friendly
• The opportunity to undertake good quality work
• Offices located near good commuter links and town centre
• Salaries which reflect skills and experience obtained
• Birthday leave in addition to annual leave
• Recognition where new skills are obtained
• Opportunities to progress within the firm

We require an individual who has confidence, drive and a sense of responsibility to provide full time permanent secretarial support to our Family Law Team in our Southampton office.

We are a busy multi-disciplinary law practice who carry out a mixture of Legal Aid and private work between the hours of 9am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

The role requires an individual who can:

• Provide support to our Lawyers in the Family team to enable them to operate at optimum efficiency
• Cover for other support staff when necessary

The duties of the role will include, but are not limited to:

• Preparation of correspondence and documents through audio-typing and word processing.
• Undertaking filing, photocopying, making appointments, arranging meetings and ensuring timely diary entries are made and kept up to date.
• Undertaking reception duties as and when they needed.
  • Answering telephones, transferring calls and taking messages.
  • Dealing with the posts and DX
• Copy typing and other administration duties.
• Diary management.
• Other duties required by the fee earners from time to time.
• Attend clients, Counsel, and other third parties both in person and on the telephone and to assist in file management administration ensuring that files are maintained in a tidy and logical manner and in line with department protocols.

The successful candidate will have: 

• A minimum of a standard pass in at least English and Maths
• The ability to deal with clients, representatives of other firms etc. in a friendly but confident manner, whilst maintaining confidentiality
• Competency in the use of Microsoft applications
• Strong organisational abilities
• The ability to be able to act under pressure

Whilst not essential, desirable attributes would be:

• Some Office experience
• Basic understanding of the legal profession, particularly with regards to Prison Law.
• Valid Driving Licence with own transport
• Fast learner with willingness to learn new skills

What we can offer:

• Supportive and forward thinking team environment
• Work-life balance friendly
• Offices located near good commuter links and town centre
• Salaries which reflect skills and experience obtained
• Birthday leave in addition to annual leave
• Recognition where new skills are obtained
• Opportunities to progress within the firm