Family Law – Legal Director/ Consultant/ Senior Associate

Gibson Kerr is a long-established, central Edinburgh legal practice with an established client base, specialising in family law, personal law and residential conveyancing and estate agency. The business is a three-partner firm, with ten other qualified solicitors. We currently operate from our office in Edinburgh's West End and from Glasgow City Centre. The Family Law department is currently made up of two partners, a consultant, a senior associate, an associate, a senior solicitor, and seven support staff.

We are looking for a family solicitor at a legal director, consultant or senior associate level, ideally with a minimum of ten years' post-qualifying experience, who specialises in family law and who can manage their own case load with minimum supervision. This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to further their career within a supportive environment.

The successful candidate will be required to help develop an already expanding department. The person will have a strong working knowledge of the relevant law, experience in a client-facing role, good communication skills and will always put their clients' interests foremost. We envisage that they will have significant experience of dealing with financial provision in medium to high net worth and/or complicated cases, and, ideally, they will be accredited by the LSS as a specialist in family law. If not, they will be expected to gain accreditation quickly. They will be enthusiastic, bright and cheerful – someone with a good rapport with clients and with staff, of this and other firms. They will be hardworking, confident, capable of working with the minimum of oversight, prepared to take responsibility for their actions and to make a positive contribution to the functioning of the family law team. An ability to deliver sound advice to clients in a confident and professional manner is essential. They will play a key role in promoting the services of the business. There are opportunities for advancement for the right person.

Job Description

Qualifications and Skills:
Experience of family law (min 10 yrs PQE)

Ability to work with minimum supervision

Computer Literate – MS Word, Internet, Excel (basic), email

Knowledge of Sheriff Court procedures

Knowledge of Court of Session procedures would be an advantage

Driving licence

Responsibilities:
To take up a client facing role in the Family Law Department.

Job Purpose:
To take responsibility for their caseload within the family law department by delivering an accurate, high quality, on time service to clients.

Standard expected:
Must always abide by the ethical code applicable to Scottish solicitors. Must keep all information relating to clients strictly confidential, must not voice criticism of other solicitors/organisations to clients/public and must be aware of restrictions on touting for business.

Must be dressed and groomed suitably for the job in hand.

Conditions of Employment:
Working hours will be 8.30am till 5pm, Monday to Friday. More may be required from time to time, on a voluntary basis. Flexible and agile working can be agreed.

Five weeks annual leave is given, plus five days' public holidays: two days at each of Christmas and New Year and one day on Easter Monday.

Salary will be towards the top level for the right person, negotiable depending on experience, with the possibility to earn bonus.

Three months' notice of termination of employment is to be given on either side, though there is a three-month probationary period during which the employer only requires to give one month's notice. Three months' notice period applies to the applicant during the probationary period.

Promotion Prospects:
To take on more responsibilities as the business expands. Opportunity to advance for the right person.

Salary:
Commensurate with experience

Applicant Profile

• Enthusiastic, bright and cheerful – someone with good rapport with clients and staff of other firms.
• Excellent team player and ability to manage across the business
• Must show a willingness to learn new tasks and firm procedures.
• Must be prepared to take responsibility for the way their actions impact on the performance of the firm as a whole and work with the business to develop a career path within the practice
• Must be prepared to perform all aspects of the job conscientiously. Must be able to handle a varied workload, prioritising tasks as appropriate.
• Must be prepared to take the initiative where an opportunity arises in relation to getting new business and to go about their business in a confident manner.