Commercial Litigation Senior Lawyer

Commercial Litigation Senior Lawyer

We have an exciting opportunity for a 
Senior Lawyer with five+ years' Post Qualification Experience (PQE)
 to join our 
Commercial Litigation
team
 in central Bristol.

As a Senior Lawyer, you will have the opportunity to supervise juniors and take a lead in business development, maintaining and building new client relationships. The scope of the work will provide you with the opportunity to collaborate, work alongside, and give advice to other departments and teams, including Commercial Property, Corporate + Commercial, Employment and Property Litigation.

Please note: we are not currently working with agencies for the recruitment of this role.

The role

You will undertake fee-earning work, building and managing your own caseload, providing a profitable contribution to the department in line with the firm's policies and protocols and with the aim of meeting your monthly individual fee and time targets.

Duties and work you can expect to be involved with are:

• Contractual disputes between businesses.
• Commercial contracts.
• Commercial litigation.
• Disputes arising from corporate acquisitions.
• Professional negligence claims.
• Mediation/other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
• Director, Partnership and Shareholder disputes.
• Unfair prejudice claims.
• Insolvency.
• Debt recovery.

Associated duties

• Taking instructions, keeping detailed file notes of instructions received and of advice given and of any other attendances upon clients and other parties.
• Preparing cost estimates for matters.
• Issuing letters of engagement.
• Taking forward matters, including drafting and/or considering relevant documents such as pleadings, statements, bundles, costs schedules, applications, and orders.
• Preparing or supervising the preparation and checking of court bundles.
• Advocacy in court, where required and appropriate, bearing in mind cost-benefit analysis.
• Agreeing and negotiating terms of settlement and other relevant documents.
• Advising clients as to the progress of matters and incidence of costs periodically throughout matters.
• Dealing with email and telephone communications promptly.
• Providing advice internally to other departments that have a relevant query on their matter.
• Supervision and providing training to junior members of the team.
• Subject to Partner approval, giving undertakings in the approved form in specific matters.
• Completing matters on time.
• Checking files prior to closure.
• Notifying the relevant supervisor and Partner of any complaints received in respect of work undertaken.
• Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of the law and practice.
• Compliance with the procedures in the Office Manual and Solicitors Accounts Rules.
• Supervising other members of the team as necessary.

Non-legal work

• Preparation of bills of costs, and obtaining Accounts' approval of all bills prepared.
• Obtaining payment on account from clients.
• Making requests for payments.
• Obtaining a Partner's authority for payments.
• Notifying Accounts of incoming and requested payments.
• Requesting transfer of money between client accounts, and between the client and office account.
• Referring amendments to bills to Partners for approval and dealing with the formalities for such amendments.
• Perusing ledger and KPI management systems and taking the required action, including ensuring that all client money is placed on deposit when required.
• Attending review meetings to report on outstanding bills and disbursements as requested.

Marketing and business development

• Extend our excellent reputation and relationships with local Chambers.
• Attending networking events.
• Maintaining and developing sources of work.
• Involvement in marketing strategies and initiatives.
• Assisting with the development of the department's webpages and other marketing materials.
• Cross-department working to raise the profile and understanding of the work, and identify cross-selling opportunities.
• Tasks to work towards submission of Legal Directories (Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners UK).

About us

Barcan and Kirby is well known in the Bristol legal market both as a provider of excellent legal services for individuals and businesses, and as a progressive employer.

We are committed to developing and nurturing our people, and encouraging positive wellbeing and mental health is central to our culture. We encourage open communication and foster a culture where colleagues are supported in achieving a real work/life balance.

At Barcan and Kirby, we work hard to maintain a culture of kindness and friendliness, and welcome applications from individuals who fit with our values.

We like to think that we do things a bit differently from other law firms.

The ideal candidate

• A qualified Lawyer or FCILEx, with at least five years' PQE in commercial litigation.
• IT literate and confident using and adapting to new systems and processes.
• Enthusiastic about business development and eager to use your networking skills.
• Previous management experience is desirable.

Location and working hours

• Full-time (office hours are 9:00am – 5:15pm, Monday to Friday).
• Part-time considered.
• The role is based at our Prince House office with the option to apply for hybrid working post-probation.

Belonging at Barcan and Kirby

We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive working environment. We want you to bring your true self to work and encourage applications from anyone who embodies our values, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion, disability status, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodiversity or anything else that makes you, you.

If there is anything we can do to make things more comfortable for you as part of the application process, including making a reasonable adjustment,
please let us know by emailing
.