At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Property Disputes Team and handle diverse legal cases.
- Company: Birketts, a top UK law firm with a rich 160-year heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private healthcare, and flexible hybrid working.
- Other info: Inclusive culture focused on personal development and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the legal field while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Law degree or equivalent experience with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Term Type: Permanent
Fulltime: True
External Department: Property Disputes
Location: Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Sevenoaks
About us: Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.
We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do.
The team you will join: Our Property Disputes Team sits within our wider Dispute Resolution Division and acts for a wide range of clients including private individuals, partnerships, trusts, registered social landlords and corporate clients in both the public and private sectors.
The work you will be doing:
- Drafting and reviewing tenancy agreements and advising on occupational arrangements
- Drafting, reviewing and serving notices
- Advising on possession options and implications of relevant legislation to the private rented sector
- Preparing and reviewing pleadings, witness statements, and settlement documents
- Preparing instructions to Counsel
- Conducting legal research and preparing clear, concise advice notes for clients and senior team members
- Keeping up to date with legislative changes in the sector
- Attending court hearings, mediations, and negotiations as appropriate
- Manage a caseload of residential letting matters, working under supervision of experienced solicitors
- Attending appropriate business development opportunities
- Working to deadlines
- Maintaining accurate time-costing procedures
- Ensuring compliance with file management
- Proactively support other members of the team and to provide cover as and when necessary
Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.
What we are looking for:
- Law degree or equivalent experience
- Demonstrable interest in and/or knowledge of relevant law and legal procedure relating to residential lettings/private rented sector
- Ability to undertake legal work requiring technical and procedural understanding
- Competence in accurately recording time and understanding chargeable work
- Strong legal research and investigative skills
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to analyse information and present findings clearly and precisely
- Strong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standard
- Professional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client service
- To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation
Hybrid Working: Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. This role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.
Benefits: As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits:
- 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
- Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
- Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
- Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
- Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
- Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
- Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
- Paid CSR Day
- Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Subsidised gym membership
- Electric car scheme
- Dress for your Day Policy
Inclusivity and Culture: At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI): At Birketts, we recognise the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal profession and recruitment. We welcome innovation and understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their job applications. However, we expect all applicants to use AI responsibly and ethically.
Your application should reflect your own voice, experiences, and insights. AI may assist in structuring or refining your responses, but it must not replace your personal input. Do not use AI to misrepresent your qualifications, experiences, or skills. Any form of exaggeration or fabrication may result in rejection from the process.
If you have used AI tools to assist with your application, be prepared to discuss how and why you used them during the interview process. Do not submit content generated by AI tools that may include personal or sensitive data not intended for public disclosure. AI-generated content should be reviewed and edited by you to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with the role and our firm's values. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices. The use of AI should enhance, not compromise, your application.
Solicitor/Associate in Suffolk employer: Birketts
Birketts is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and collaboration. With a focus on high-net-worth clients in the picturesque city of Cambridge, our Senior Private Client Lawyers benefit from a hybrid working environment, competitive remuneration, and opportunities for professional development within a prestigious law firm recognised for its expertise in private client matters.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Solicitor/Associate in Suffolk
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We think you need these skills to ace Solicitor/Associate in Suffolk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Birketts, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Birketts and the specific role of Solicitor/Associate. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Birketts
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
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Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
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✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Birketts.
