Family Law Solicitor Director – Child Abduction Specialist | ICACU / Resolution Accredited | Manchester

Duncan Lewis Solicitors (Ltd) is regulated by the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority and was founded in 1998, headquartered in the City of London. We are recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK independent legal directories as a top-tier law firm in all 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.

Recognised among The Times 200 Best Law Firms, we have been awarded Law Firm of the Year at the 2024 Lexis Nexis Awards and 2023 Modern Law Awards, reflecting our dedication to legal expertise and client service. We hold Investors in People Gold Standard accreditation for over 15 years, showcasing our commitment to professional development. Duncan Lewis is also Law Society Lexcel, Cyber Essentials Plus, and ISO 27001 certified, ensuring excellence in practice management and data security.

The Family legal team is applauded for being “superbly reliable”, “professional, personable, and very efficient”. The department is ranked and recommended by The Legal 500 UK and Chambers & Partners UK for family and matrimonial work, providing confidential advice with effective representation. Our family team includes solicitors who have achieved the Law Society’s Children Law and Family Law Advanced accreditations, providing advocacy in all court proceedings.

The Family department assists high net worth individuals in divorce matters with specialist divorce solicitors experienced in domestic abuse, adoption, child abduction, prohibitive steps orders, specific issues orders, injunctions, spousal and child maintenance, properties, pensions, and freezing injunctions.

Main Responsibilities of the Role:

• Report directly to and collaborate with the Board to ensure performance targets are met.
• Manage and oversee complex family matters.
• Responsible for all aspects of Family work including divorce, financial disputes and remedies; international elements of child abduction/adoption; injunctions/non-molestation orders; providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members.
• Manage and supervise Solicitors, Trainee Solicitors, and Caseworkers to manage appropriate caseload types and complexities.
• Assist with delivery of appropriate training and development in the department.
• Undertake a variety of duties including dealing with a range of Family law matters as well as your own advocacy.
• Maintain a professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills, and interest in Business Development and Marketing.

Key Skills Required:

• 3 Years+ PQE.
• Must have a clean, valid Practicing Certificate at the time of applying.
• Must hold one of the following accreditations: Law Society Family Law Panel (Advanced), with Child Abduction and Wardship component; Resolution Accredited Specialist – Child Abduction Specialist Portfolio completed; Listed on the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU) accredited panel.
• Experienced Family Law Solicitor with a proven track record in managing complex and sensitive child abduction cases.
• Strong management skills.
• Committed team player with ability to approach team concerns fairly, foster a 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 client matters sensitively.
• Excellent networking and communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Company and generate new business.
• Comprehensive knowledge of publicly funded family law, with the capability to effectively manage privately funded cases.
• Excellent client care and advocacy skills.
• Excellent IT Skills - familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills.

What we offer:

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