Associate Commercial Litigation Birmingham

Associate Solicitor - Birmingham- upto £50k

Role summary

• To provide a high-quality legal service to the firm’s clients.
• To comply with all relevant professional and regulatory obligations.
• To contribute to the growth and development of the department and firm.
• To supervise and mentor other members of staff as required.

Key responsibilities
Provide high-quality legal services to the firm’s clients, predominantly in relation to high-value commercial disputes with a cross-border element (particularly involving Italy and Spain). The commercial disputes team generally pursues claims in the High Court, County Courts, via arbitration and actively encourages mediation where appropriate.

• Conduct own cases and assist other fee-earners and partners in providing advice and representation to the firm’s clients.
• Work in accordance with detailed procedures and quality standards contained in the Firm’s Office Manual and relevant policies.
• Build strong working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Ensure services are provided in a timely fashion and the client is informed regularly on progress and costs.
• Achieve targets for billing and time recording.
• Take overall responsibility for credit control on own matters.
• Develop and maintain good client relationships.
• Carry out duties in a professional manner, comply with relevant professional standards and any requirement set by relevant regulators including the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
• Develop and maintain the competencies necessary to provide a proper standard of service to clients and maintain a record of professional development.
• Comply with internal procedures and systems of the firm including file and case management, file audits, client due diligence and time recording.
• Share information and best practice with colleagues.
• Strictly adhere to and promote the firm’s equality and diversity policy.

Knowledge, skills and qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) - one year + qualified experience preferred.
• Expertise in key areas of law and procedure including Civil Procedure, jurisdiction and applicable law, cross-border disputes, international asset tracing and enforcement, and alternative forms of ADR.
• Fluent in Italian.
• Spanish language skills an advantage.
• Urdu, Punjabi Mandarin or Arabic language skills an advantage
• Civil Higher Rights of Audience an advantage.
• Able to conduct own caseload.
• Knowledge and understanding of the BSB’s and other relevant regulatory requirements.
• Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• IT skills commensurate with the role including the ability to work without secretarial assistance utilising firm’s case management system.
• Commercial and financial awareness including the ability to take responsibility for financial control of own client matters.
• Able to develop positive relationships with clients and manage client expectations.
• Effective prioritisation with the ability to meet deadlines and manage time effectively.
• Marketing, networking and business development skills commensurate with the role.