Children Law Solicitor (Nq) – Luton in City of London

Duncan Lewis Solicitors (Ltd) is regulated by the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority and was founded in 1998. 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. We are a paperless law firm with over 500 personnel that embraces hybrid-working, servicing both corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 areas of law across 60 languages.

Child Care Department: Our highly specialised Child Care Department is ranked and recommended by The Legal 500 UK and Chambers & Partners UK for its expertise in all aspects of child care law. We assist guardians to represent a child and represent parents, providing expert advice to adopted parents and birth parents considering adoption. The department also advises same-sex couples on child care matters, including arrangements following divorce, separation or dissolution of a civil partnership, adoption, co-parenting and surrogacy.

Main Responsibilities of the Role:

• Responsible for all aspects of Child Care work including providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members.
• Manage a caseload of child abduction and international children matters, providing high-quality legal advice and representation.
• Ability to manage and supervise Trainee Solicitors and Caseworkers.
• Assisting with delivery of appropriate training and development in the department.
• Variety of duties including dealing with public and private children cases.
• Professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills and interest in Business Development and Marketing.

Key Skills Required:

• Newly Qualified (NQ) Solicitor with experience in Children Law.
• Must have a clean, valid Practising Certificate at the time of applying.
• Extensive experience in all areas of Child Care Law.
• Experience in child abduction and international children matters is essential.
• Strong management skills and committed team player.
• Excellent networking and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of publicly funded Child Care work.
• Experience in own advocacy is an advantage.
• Excellent IT Skills - familiar with Microsoft Office applications.

What we offer:

• A fantastic supportive team.
• Strong career progression with support for legal awards and professional recognition.

Salary Structure (Non-Accredited) – Children Law:

• NQ – London: £42,500; Outside London: £40,000
• 1 Year PQE – London: £44,000; Outside London: £42,000
• 2 Years PQE – London: £45,500; Outside London: £43,500
• 3 Years PQE – London: £47,000; Outside London: £45,000

The Company will support your career progression if you decide to pursue Children, Family or Family Advanced Panel accreditation with the Law Society or Resolution.

Supervision Bonus:

• Supervise 1 Paralegal – London: £1,250; Outside London: £1,150
• Supervise 2 Paralegals – London: £1,750; Outside London: £1,600
• Supervise 3 Paralegals – London: £2,250; Outside London: £2,100
• Supervise 4 Paralegals – London: £2,750; Outside London: £2,550