Litigation Solicitor

About Herbert Smith Freehills

As a premier global law firm, we provide counsel to some of the most significant and ambitious organizations across all major regions worldwide. With a workforce exceeding 5,000, including over 3,100 legal professionals and more than 2,000 business services experts, Herbert Smith Freehills is positioned at the forefront of the evolving global business landscape, delivering top-tier, comprehensive legal services.

We understand that our success, as well as that of our clients, hinges on the expertise, knowledge, and innovative ideas of our team members. We foster an environment where high performance is the norm, and in return, we offer rewards and opportunities tailored to your individual and professional aspirations.

The Opportunity

About Digital Legal Delivery

The rapid digital transformation is creating efficiencies and opportunities for businesses, and Herbert Smith Freehills is no exception. To support our clients through this swift evolution, we have assembled a team of top analytical legal professionals, investing in state-of-the-art technology and specialists within our Digital Legal Delivery (Digital) practice.

Our Digital group integrates legal expertise, project management, process design, and technological know-how to assist businesses seeking innovative solutions from their legal advisors. We leverage our experience to identify intersections where human expertise and technology yield effective results, aiding businesses in their digitization efforts and helping them move away from outdated and inefficient legal service delivery methods. Our proficiency in managing large and intricate legal projects positions us as leaders in handling data-intensive assignments.

By envisioning future possibilities, HSF's Digital Legal Delivery practice is implementing optimal technological solutions today while exploring and experimenting with emerging technologies to grasp their practical applications.

Legal

In the Legal sector, we influence how the firm manages legal matters for clients. Our extensive experience in innovative legal thinking places us at the forefront of enhancing the efficiency of legal services, particularly on a large scale.

We possess in-depth knowledge across various sectors and a wealth of experience in executing large and complex mandates. Our specialties include contract management, document examination, mass claims processing, and due diligence.

Collaborating closely with colleagues across the firm, we utilize our legal, process design, and technological expertise to deliver tailored solutions for our clients. Our legal project management capabilities underpin our efforts, ensuring efficient and seamless organization throughout the process, enabling clients to achieve operational efficiencies.

Legal Technology

In the realm of Legal Technology, we effectively and reliably deploy the firm's established technologies across a variety of client matters and projects.

We combine our skills in document automation, custom software development, eDiscovery, data analytics, and client reporting to collaborate across the firm on disputes, transactions, and projects.

Digital Change

In the Digital Change sector, we innovate, invest, and challenge our firm's boundaries regarding new applications of legal technology.

We experiment with technology and pilot tools to gain a comprehensive understanding of their potential challenges and benefits, and how they can enhance our daily operations to provide superior solutions for clients.

We also ensure that we have the appropriate internal governance for decision-making, allowing us to minimize risks, maximize opportunities, and maintain consistency for our stakeholders.

Advisory

In the Advisory sector, we offer profound expertise in legal operations and emerging technologies, collaborating across various sectors, either alongside our teams or directly with clients.

We serve as trusted advisors to our clients, exploring new methodologies together as we navigate the evolving landscape.

About Digital Legal Delivery Disputes

Our team is adept in managing complex, large-scale document reviews, sensitive and time-sensitive investigations, regulatory matters, consumer claims assessments, and mass claims management. We work closely with and support other practice groups within Herbert Smith Freehills, continually expanding our service offerings. Our expertise encompasses intricate review elements, including legal professional privilege, commercial sensitivity, and data protection, across all industry sectors, including financial services, energy, retail, TMT, and construction.

The Role

As a Solicitor, you will be an integral part of our legal team, collaborating closely with Managers, Senior Solicitors, Solicitors, Trainees, and Legal Analysts.

Key Responsibilities

• Conducting document reviews, preparing chronologies, providing litigation support, and performing other fee-earning tasks specific to the practice area (with target average daily chargeable hours).
• Conducting claims assessments or assisting in managing claims within a portfolio.
• Performing case assessments related to claims arising from Group Litigation Orders and Remediation schemes.
• Undertaking Quality Control and providing constructive feedback to reviewers to ensure output aligns with HSF quality standards.
• On relevant projects, collaborating directly with other HSF practice groups in our global network to deliver high-quality support to clients.
• On relevant projects, supervising Trainees or Legal Analysts regarding individual matters, addressing complex legal issues, or as directed by Senior Solicitors, Managers, or Senior Managers of the Disputes practice group.
• Maintaining current knowledge of legal areas pertinent to the practice.
• Ensuring compliance with financial disciplines on matters (e.g., daily time recording).
• Providing additional assistance to the business on client matters and related tasks as required.

The responsibilities outlined above may not encompass all tasks required of the post-holder. Therefore, the responsibilities may vary over time without materially altering the character or level of responsibility or grade.

Qualifications and Skills

Essential

• Qualified solicitor or barrister in England and Wales or Northern Ireland, with consideration for qualifications from the Republic of Ireland or other common law jurisdictions (if not qualified in England and Wales, willingness to complete the requalification process if necessary).
• A minimum of 2 years' PQE in commercial litigation.

Desirable

• Experience in a commercial legal environment, preferably within a private practice law firm.
• Proven experience in successfully managing others, including direct reports.
• Knowledge and experience in legal work for the Disputes practice group, such as large-scale document reviews or claims assessments.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Herbert Smith Freehills, you will be part of a diverse and innovative culture where high performance, client focus, and highly engaged individuals set us apart. Our firm comprises individuals from various backgrounds, bringing a wide array of experiences and perspectives to their work. We strive to create an inclusive environment where you feel valued and empowered to perform at your best by being your authentic self. We recognize that our future success relies not only on being innovative and progressive in the evolving legal market but, most importantly, on our people feeling deeply engaged in meaningful work.

We understand that you have commitments and personal interests outside of work, and we aim to foster a working environment based on mutual trust and respect, allowing you to excel while maintaining a sustainable balance in your life.