At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic Child Care team, managing cases and mentoring junior solicitors.
- Company: Join Duncan Lewis, a top-tier law firm known for its commitment to justice and diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and a supportive, inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in child care law while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: 3+ years PQE, Law Society registration, and strong management skills required.
- Other info: Duncan Lewis is an award-winning firm with a focus on public and private legal services.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK\’s leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board. Child Law Solicitor / Director x2 – Salary £60K Per Annum – Birmingham Job Description: Duncan Lewis Solicitors (Ltd): Regulated by the Solicitor\’s Regulation Authority, Duncan Lewis Solicitors was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in the City of London (Fenchurch Street EC3M), with offices nationwide. We are recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK independent legal directories as a top-tier law firm in all of our key practice areas – \”a diligent and professional team that is prepared to go the extra mile for its clients\”. A paperless law firm with over 500 personnel that embraces hybrid-working, we service both corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 areas of law across 60 languages. We give people a voice – that is our ethos. Choosing a career with Duncan Lewis is choosing a law firm that is the largest provider of publicly funded (legal aid) legal services in the country and has a growing private client practice. We have been Investors in People Gold Standard accredited for over 15 years and are continuously applauded nationally for the work that we do. Having demonstrated unparalleled legal expertise and a commitment to justice, we were awarded Law Firm of the Year at both the 2024 Lexis Nexis Awards and 2023 Modern Law Awards. We are named as one of the Times 200 Best Law Firms. In 2021 we were celebrated by the Chambers Europe Award as an \’outstanding firm\’ for diversity and inclusion. In previous years we have been awarded a number of awards, including the Law Society Excellence Award for Large Law Firm of the Year in 2020, Access to Justice at the UK Legal Diversity Awards in 2019 and the Family Law Firm of the Year at the 2015 Family Law Awards, to name just a few. Duncan Lewis is Law Society Lexcel, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 Information Management accredited. Child Care Department: Applauded by The Legal 500 has \’an extremely knowledgeable and hugely capable child care team, our highly specialised Child Care Department is ranked and recommended by The Legal 500 UK and Chambers & Partners UK independent legal directories for its expertise in all aspects of child care law. Our Child Care Law department approaches each case with a level of understanding only achievable through specializing in Child Care law. The key aspect of our work is assisting guardians to represent a child and representing parents. We act for children, parents and family members to provide expert advice to adopted parents and the birth parents who are considering adoption. The department also advises same-sex couples on child care matters, including child care arrangements following divorce, separation or dissolution of a civil partnership, adoption, co-parenting and surrogacy. Setting us apart from other firms, the Child Care Law department consists of members of the Law Society Children and Family Panel Members. The majority are also members of the Association for the Lawyers for Children, and of Resolution (formerly known as the Solicitors Family Law Association). Duncan Lewis is one of few firms in the UK that are on the Lord Chancellor\’s International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU) referral list. We have acquired a number of kite-marks and accreditations which are testament to the quality of the specialised work our staff undertake. We have had several high profile cases, which have been reported, which include caste, underage marriages and international elements. Main Responsibilities of the Role Report directly to and collaborating with the Board to ensure performance targets are met Responsible for all aspects of Child Care work including providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members 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 Variety of duties including dealing with a range of public and private children cases including child abduction, child protection issues, special guardianship and adoption matters as well as undertaking your own advocacy You will have a professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills and be interested in Business Development and Marketing to supplement the substantial work volumes brought in by the company Key Skills Required: 3 Years+ PQE Registered with the Law Society and Children Panel Membership is desirable Must have a clean, valid Practicing Certificate at the time of applying Strong management skills Committed team player with ability to approach team concerns fairly, foster culture of positive change and encourage cross referrals Previous proven supervisory experience and working to key performance indicators Professional with a pro-active approach; excellent client care skills and ability to deal with vulnerable clients and resolve complicated practicalities involved in Child Care issues Excellent networking and communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Company and generate new business Working knowledge of the publically funded Child Care work and have the ability to service privately funded cases Have extensive experience in dealing with all Child Care work related work and some expertise on adoption matters Experience in own advocacy is an advantage Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills The recruitment process will fully comply with GDPR and other applicable laws. Background checks including CRB / 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. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THE ABOVE VACANCY #J-18808-Ljbffr
Child Law Solicitor / Director x2 - Salary £60K Per Annum - Birmingham employer: Duncan Lewis
Contact Detail:
Duncan Lewis Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Child Law Solicitor / Director x2 - Salary £60K Per Annum - Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific areas of child law that Duncan Lewis focuses on, such as child abduction and adoption. This will not only help you understand their work better but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the child law sector, especially those who have experience with Duncan Lewis or similar firms. Attend relevant legal events or webinars to make connections and gain insights into the firm's culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your management skills and experience in your discussions. Since the role involves supervising solicitors and caseworkers, be prepared to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the latest trends and challenges in child law, particularly those affecting publicly funded services. Being knowledgeable about current issues will demonstrate your commitment to the field and your proactive approach to potential challenges.
We think you need these skills to ace Child Law Solicitor / Director x2 - Salary £60K Per Annum - Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in child law, particularly any supervisory roles or specific cases you've handled. Emphasise your qualifications and any memberships with the Law Society or Children Panel.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for child law and your commitment to client care. Mention specific achievements that demonstrate your expertise and how they align with the values of Duncan Lewis Solicitors.
Showcase Your Skills: Clearly outline your management skills and experience in handling complex child care cases. Provide examples of how you've successfully navigated challenges in previous roles, especially in advocacy and client relations.
Highlight Your Commitment to Diversity: Duncan Lewis values diversity and inclusion. In your application, mention any relevant experiences or initiatives you've been involved in that promote these values within the legal profession.
How to prepare for a job interview at Duncan Lewis
✨Know Your Child Law
Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in child law, especially those relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with key cases and legislation that Duncan Lewis Solicitors may be involved with, as this will show your commitment and expertise during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Child Law Solicitor/Director, you'll need strong management skills. Be prepared to discuss your previous supervisory experience and how you've successfully led teams. Share specific examples of how you've fostered a positive team culture and encouraged professional development.
✨Showcase Client Care Abilities
Highlight your client care skills, particularly when dealing with vulnerable clients. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you've effectively resolved complicated issues, demonstrating your empathy and problem-solving abilities in child care matters.
✨Prepare for Advocacy Questions
Since advocacy experience is an advantage, be ready to talk about your own advocacy work. Think of specific cases where you've represented clients in court, and be prepared to discuss your approach and the outcomes achieved.