Job Role: Housing Director
Location: London
Salary: Competitive
Contract: Permanent

Our Housing team, ranked by The Legal 500 directory for its services across England and Wales, provides assistance to both landlords and tenants on all housing issues. Our solicitors are highly experienced in finding solutions to housing disputes and aim to address the issues quickly and effectively.

We offer lawyer supported dispute resolution or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as a means to resolve housing disrepair matters. The department also regularly represents clients in the courts and prepare applications for judicial review in cases of homelessness.

About us

Duncan Lewis was founded in 1998.  We are a large and established company employing over 700 staff delivering legal services in over 60 languages.  Duncan Lewis serves corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 practice areas from offices throughout London and across England and Wales.  Our success in case results are regularly reported in the media and our staffs’ accomplishments are acknowledged and recommended as leaders in the legal directories; The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, as a top tier firm and described as a “diligent and professional team that is prepared to go the extra mile for its clients”.

The foundations of our service are built upon four principles: commitment, communication, confidentiality, and courtesy.

What we’re looking for

You will be professional with a pro-active approach, strong client care skills and a sensitive and sympathetic understanding of clients’ needs. You will report directly to and collaborating with the Board to ensure performance targets are met. Responsible for all aspects of Housing work including providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members. Possess the ability to manage and supervise Solicitors, Trainee Solicitors and Caseworkers to manage appropriate caseload types and complexities. Assisting with delivery of appropriate training and development in the department. You will be responsible for a variety of duties including dealing with a range of Housing cases including Homelessness; Disrepair; Eviction; Possession; Property Ownership Disputes; Succession for Tenants; Housing adaptations;  Social Housing; Neighbourhood Problems matters as well as undertaking your own advocacy. You will be dealing with emergency cases and identifying and carrying out strategic litigation. Preparing and managing funding applications to the Legal Aid Agency, preparing draft documents including witness statements, processing evidence and attending conferences and court including under Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme.

Key Skills Required

To succeed in your role as a Housing Director you will:

• Demonstrate passion and experience in a broad range of publically funded Housing Law
• A strong academic background with a Law degree
• Legal experience as a Housing Paralegal/Advisor
• Clear understanding and application of Housing Laws
• Business acumen and the ability to market the Company
• Excellent communications skills to work effectively with all types of people
• Excellent analytical and organisational skills and ability to use own initiative but know when to seek guidance
• Committed  team player,  self -motivated and professional 
• Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills

What we offer

• Competitive salary
• A fantastic supportive team
• Flexible working hours
• Excellent progression opportunities
• Support for appropriate legal awards/recognition

Ready to apply?

To be considered for the role of Housing Solicitor / Director, please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and submit your details along with a copy of your CV and a supporting statement.

The recruitment process will fully comply with GDPR and other applicable laws.   Background checks including DBS checks will establish your eligibility to work in the UK and suitability to the role.

Equal Opportunities:

Duncan Lewis is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity of its staff.  The Company strives to ensure that our staff reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, which is reflective at all levels within our workforce.

We guarantee an interview for candidates that disclose a disability and meet the essential requirements for the post.  Please provide additional details in your covering letter if this applies.

If you are interested in applying for this vacancy, please visit our website and apply using our online process for your application to be considered.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THE ABOVE VACANCY