Trainee Solicitor

TRAINEE SOLICITOR

(3 - 4 seats across the Family, Private Client, Property & Litigation teams)

BEXLEYHEATH / BLACKHEATH / PETTS WOOD

SALARY LAW SOCIETY RECOMMENDED

Job Role

To provide a high-quality legal service to all our clients whilst gaining the necessary skills and competencies to qualify as a solicitor.

Main tasks/Accountabilities

Case & Transaction Management

These duties will be conducted under supervision.

• Conduct interviews with clients
• Gain understanding of client expectations and requirements
• Assess legal problems
• Advise clients on costs
• Conduct legal research
• Successfully deliver transactional goals
• Devise strategy for case
• Draft case papers
• Obtain information from relevant experts
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of your client’s case and the other party’s case
• Instruct a barrister
• Negotiate settlements
• Meet deadlines
• Issue proceedings
• Attend court to conduct advocacy and/or with counsel and/or to take notes
• Make applications to the court
• Assist fee earners as required
• Maintain confidentiality
• Comply with all office procedure requirements

Administration

• Maintain your training record
• Conduct self-appraisal and development planning
• Actively participate in supervision and appraisal
• Complete accurate time recording
• Maintain files, whether electronic or paper
• Deal with billing, payments and closing files
• Follow administrative systems and procedures
• Take external telephone calls as part of a telephone rota
• Deal with new enquiries
• Deal with post, scanning and general office admin responsibilities

Development

• Gain competency in the SRA skills standards
• Participate in team meetings and business development activities
• Attend internal courses and training and pass the Professional Skills Course
• Keep up to date with law and practice

Knowledge/Qualifications

Good academic record Degree, preferably 2:1 or higher Passed all necessary law exams

Skills / Abilities / Personal Qualities

• Good organisation and ability to prioritise
• Confident communicator, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Attention to detail, particularly with grammar, spelling and punctuation
• Enthusiastic
• Proactive and able to take initiative
• Empathetic Ability to work under pressure
• Commercial awareness

Experience

• Prior legal experience, preferably in private practice
• Prior experience of working in a commercial environment
• Prior experience of working with the public

Other factors