Solicitor - Professional Indemnity

About your new role

We are looking to recruit an Associate of 3 years PQE plus, to support the Specialty team. We have team members in Liverpool, Manchester, Leicester, Leeds, London and Newcastle so would welcome applications from any of those areas.

The team is highly regarded for its expertise, the quality of its work and an eye catching client list. Members of the team regularly deal with complex and high value litigation at the cutting edge of the professions they represent. The atmosphere is friendly and supportive, with a history of mentoring and promotions at all levels. We encourage our Associates to get involved in business development and all the exciting initiatives taking place across the firm. Our lawyers flourish as part of a team and relish the opportunity to make a difference.

The applicant will have experience of, and be developing a real specialism in, professional indemnity work, defending claims against various professional service providers, such as solicitors, engineers and financial advisors, as well as construction professionals. An interest and some experience in coverage work, reinsurance and/or property damage work would be attractive, as the team undertakes a broad range of contentious work.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Assisting and supporting the partners and principal associates with their caseloads
• Proactive management of your own cases
• Working as part of a team on large, complex, high value matters
• Preparing detailed and technical reports, correspondence and court documents
• Delegating to solicitors and trainees, supporting with their development
• Advising clients in relation to issues of liability and coverage
• Liaising with insurer and insured clients, experts, witnesses, counsel and other parties
• Ensuring compliance with client service level agreements, relevant policies and procedures
• Supporting and contributing to business development initiatives
• Completion of management information
• Helping to supervise trainees, paralegals and apprentices
• Assisting with other work allocated by the Team Manager
• Working in accordance with Weightmans' values

About You

You will have previous experience and a genuine and demonstrable interest in the above area of work.

We also require you to have/be:

• 3 years PQE plus (or equivalent)
• Developing expertise in Professional Indemnity, particularly construction matters and architect claims, with experience in these areas
• Experience of insurance litigation and policy coverage analysis
• Experience of professional risk claims relating to construction claims
• Experience of other professional risk claims is desirable
• Understanding of commercial insurance policies, the insurance market, reporting arrangements, reserving philosophies, and the relationship between brokers, underwriters/insurers and lawyers is essential
• Previous secondment to or employment with an insurance organisation would be advantageous
• Ability to work to deadlines/targets, to prioritise and manage a caseload and to work under pressure to deliver effective solutions
• Ability to work well as part of a team and on your own initiative
• A commercial, solution-driven and client-focused approach
• Strong legal and analytical skills and an eye for detail
• Excellent organisation and time-management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a positive attitude
• Excellent IT skills
• Excellent teamwork skills