Solicitor - Family

Solicitor - Family

Department: Family

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Manchester

Reporting To: Elspeth Kinder

Description

Are you an ambitious Family Solicitor looking to develop your career within one of the country's largest and most respected family law teams?

At JMW, you'll work alongside recognised experts who deal with a broad range of family matters, including divorce, financial remedy, complex child arrangements and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Our Family team is known for achieving excellent results for our clients. We are recognised by leading legal directories, including The Legal 500, Chambers & Partners and Spears 500, which commend our expertise in dealing with high net worth divorces, cross-border disputes and complex cases involving business assets, pensions and property.

We pride ourselves on offering straight talking advice that delivers positive outcomes with a commercial edge. If you're looking for high-quality work, career progression and the opportunity to grow your own network of work introducers within a supportive team, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply a strong understanding of family law and procedures to deliver an effective, timely and efficient service to the firm's clients that maintains high levels of client satisfaction.
• Manage an agreed caseload of client matters profitably and efficiently, including opening, maintaining, closing and archiving files; keeping accurate physical and electronic records in the firm's case management system; progressing matters to a high standard; and seeking input from the Head of Department, supervisor, specialists, agents or legal counsel where appropriate.
• Maintain technical expertise by keeping up to date with legal developments and legislative changes, while meeting CPD and compliance requirements.
• Work collaboratively with others, contribute to a positive, professional and inclusive working environment aligned to JMW's values.
• Build and establish strong relationships with the firm's client base.
• Take responsibility for your financial contribution including chargeable recoverable hours, billing, cash collection, timely invoicing and prompt, accurate time recording.
• Comply with SRA requirements and expectations, including the SRA Accounts Rules, JMW's internal policies and guidelines, and recognise and resolve potential risks to minimise risk to clients and/or the firm.
• Support and supervise junior colleagues when required, recognising your accountability under the SRA Code of Conduct for work you undertake and legal work you delegate.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

We're looking for a qualified Solicitor, ideally with around 1-3 years' post-qualification experience (PQE) in family law, along with:

• A sound understanding of the law, principles and practices in relation to family law, with the ability to prepare, plan and effectively run family cases.
• Experience of complex asset structures, including but not limited to private limited companies, trusts, defined benefit pensions and SIPPs/SSASs would be advantageous, though we are happy to support and develop the right candidate who demonstrates the skills, potential and enthusiasm to succeed.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to arrive at the best legal solutions for cases, and sound judgement.
• Excellent drafting, advocacy and communication skills.
• A proactive, collaborative approach and the ambition to develop your career.
• Good financial performance.
• Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office.
• Experience in business development and networking would be advantageous but is not essential.