Supervising Solicitor (Family Law)

Connect Group are currently recruiting for a Family Supervising Solicitor to work at a Charity in the EC postcode:

The Role:

Supervision and Team Development:

•  Support, develop and train a team of fee-earners, delegating work accordingly
•  Ensure that your teams professional knowledge, level of competence and skills are being measured and developed continuously identifying any training needs
•  Monitoring and ensuring that yours and your teams (where appropriate) CPD records are up to date and booked in a timely manner before the end of the CPD year
•  Conduct regular file reviews for each fee earner in accordance with the LAA/SQM requirements ensuring that the conduct of client files is in accordance with all internal, professional conduct and accounts rules and obligations
•  Ensure that your team comply with the responsibilities and objectives contained within their own job descriptions and that they understand and follow all prescribed company processes
•  Promote positive attitudes and a motivational team environment in which people enjoy working
•  Engage with your team members and staff to ensure an approachable persona

Management/Caseload:

•  Successfully manage own caseload as well as the supervision of your fee earners caseloads
•  Meet with clients in the office, and when appropriate, at a designated conference room or any institution the client may be in (hospital etc.) ensuring that you are accompanied by another team member
•  Represent clients in court and at local authority/professional meetings, to include the preparation for the same
•  Fully instruct counsel, agents and experts when required
•  Take on and deal with out of hours calls from family clients in emergency cases
•  Complete Legal Aid applications ensuring
•  Legal Aid Documentation is completed and submitted to the Legal Aid Agency (CCMS)
•  Manage and keep records of the scope and costs limitations on files

Client Care and File Management:

• Having read and understood the office manual and in-particular, company policies on file management:
•  Provide clear and comprehensive advice to clients and progress their case smoothly to conclusion
•  Open and maintain client files in accordance with the office manual ensuring that they are orderly and up-to-date
•  Where issues arise inform your Line Manager immediately
•  Ensure that client files are fully LAA/SQM compliant and that:
• client care letters are generated and sent out on the same day as opening the matter
• all appropriate tasks are time recorded in the correct manner

Billing:

•  Ensure that all files are submitted for billing within a timely manner
•  Manage files for costing for the purposes of the Legal Aid agency for family and keep a record of concluded files and chase any issues outstanding on any file
•  Take responsibility of outstanding issues on any file when asked to by the fee clerk processing the claim for payment
•  Understand the case management system ensuring it is used for all document storage and correctly used for time and fee recording at all times regardless of fixed fee cases

Business Development

•  Develop working relationships with professionals within the legal field and related organisations
•  Support the successful development of the company in line with its objectives
•  Promote the family team through networking and marketing when required

Compliance

•  Complying with the Solicitors Accounts Rules and Code of Conduct and the Money Laundering Regulations in accordance with current guidance from the SRA and the company
•  Ensuring that you are up to date with the required professional memberships (including CPD) to enable you to fulfil your role as Supervising Family Solicitor
•  Identifying and meeting job related training and development targets

Please apply now for more information!