Solicitor (Housing Disrepair/Casualty)

UK Employer of the Year 2024: Silver Investors in People Awards

The Role

Forbes Solicitors LLP are seeking a Solicitor to join our Housing Disrepair/Casualty team at our Gordon House Office. This role is full time, working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a Housing Disrepair/ Casualty Solicitor who can bring their experience, skills and knowledge toprogress their careerand become part of a collaborative and professional team. While the role demands the fast pace, customer focus, and high standards of a law firm, it also ensures a sustainable work-life balance, reflecting the regional area it serves.

As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for achieving successful outcomes such as:

• Managing a varied case load of Defendant related matters- primarily consisting of litigated housing disrepair claims and counterclaims for Registered Providers and Local Authority clients across the country;
• Attending/representing at Court hearings;
• Provision of expert legal advice and strategic guidance to clients;
• Ensuring profitability and the successful attainment of all KPIs including time recording, financial management, and service delivery;
• Accurate completion of legal tasks and documentation, within the Solicitor's area of expertise; this may include legal research analysis, drafting, and calculation of financial liability;
• Analyse legal matters, assessing risks, and determining case strategies;
• Negotiating, mediating, or litigating to achieve optimal client outcomes;
• Collaborate on complex cases with Senior Associates and Partners;
• Delivery of exceptional client care and maintain clear and effective communication;
• Represent clients in court or liaise with counsel as needed;
• Ensuring compliance with internal and external business requirements including ISO:9001 quality control, SRA Principles / Code of Conduct, and Court & Tribunal deadlines;
• Staying current and up to date with legal developments through ongoing CPD;
• Building positive relationships with current/prospective clients and enhancing the Firm's profile, to drive business growth;

The Person

We will be progressing applicants to the next stage based the role profile and on the candidate's demonstrated knowledge, experience, and skills in:

Essential

• Be a qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive withLitigation Practice rights. Would ideally suit an NQ to 4 years PQE Solicitor;
• Experience of working within a casualty/housing disrepair team and handling a wide range of casualty/housing disrepair claims on behalf of Defendants;
• Experience conducting their own advocacy/attending courts;
• Proven experience of handling own caseload, working to and managing deadlines, alongside the capability to generate fees in accordance with agreed targets;
• Experience using legal case management systems (e.g., PfW) to support the delivery of services;
• Demonstrates good client care skills, providing professional and competent legal advice in accordance with SRA Code of Conduct;
• Excellent attention to detail, including proof-reading and editing skills to ensure accuracy and quality of legal documents;
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritise tasks, manage time effectively, and coordinate multiple activities simultaneously to meet deadlines;
• Demonstrates the ability to work as part of a team;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with clients, colleagues, and external parties.
• Demonstrates excellent IT skills and the ability to use multiple platforms such as word, excel, outlook and other case management systems/databases;
• Aligns with the Firm's values.

Desirable

• Previous experience with Business Development activities, with the ability to network with potential clients and introduce them to the Firm.

The Firm

At Forbes Solicitors, we believe in creating a supportive and collaborative environment where our team members can thrive and develop themselves and others. We offer a comprehensive range of legal services and have offices across the North, with deep roots in Lancashire. Our team are known for its genuine, practical advice and passion for achieving the best results. We are real people who listen to each other and work together to deliver exceptional service.

We are proud to have been awarded UK Employer of the Year: Silver at the Investors in People Awards 2024 and the Firm is ranked as a Legal 500 Top Tier Firm and a Chambers and Partners Leading Firm.

We are a values led Firm and are looking for people who embody our values: authenticity, striving for exceptional results, and unity in teamwork to join our award-winning Firm.

The Benefits

We are dedicated to supporting our people and offer a range of benefits, including:

• 33 days annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing with length of service;
• Annual leave purchase scheme (Subject to T&Cs)
• Enhanced family friendly policies and pay for Maternity, Paternity and Adoption;
• Enhanced sick pay;
• Celebration and Volunteer leave;
• Ongoing professional development and progression opportunities;
• Profit share scheme;
• Additional long service awards;
• Subsidised tuck shops;
• Staff discount on Firm services;
• Health care benefits (Health Cash Back Plan and Mental Health Counselling Services);
• BUPA (Solicitor positions only, for self, not dependents);
• Retail and gym membership discounts;
• Recruitment and legal department referrals (Subject to T&Cs);
• Annual Events;

Forbes is an equal opportunities and disability-confident employer, accredited by Investors in People and ISO 9001 quality management systems. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment, service provision, and supplier engagement, and strive to maintain a workforce that reflects the local community.

We kindly remind all recruitment agencies to respect our policy which prohibits the acceptance of speculative CVs, and not submit candidates for a role that we advertise, unless explicitly instructed to do so. Any candidates that are submitted on a speculative basis will not be considered an introduction. Our dedication to this process is part of our commitment to equal opportunities for all applicants.