At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic Child Care team, providing expert legal guidance and support.
- Company: Top-tier law firm recognised for excellence in child care law and client service.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equal opportunities and community representation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your legal career.
- Qualifications: 3+ years PQE, strong management skills, and a passion for child care law.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Duncan Lewis Solicitors (Ltd) is regulated by the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority and was founded in 1998, headquartered in the City of London with offices nationwide. We are recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers Partners UK 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. 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.
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. Our Child Care Law department consists of members of the Law Society Children and Family Panel Members, with many also being members of the Association for the Lawyers for Children and Resolution. Duncan Lewis is one of few firms in the UK on the Lord Chancellor’s International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU) referral list.
Main Responsibilities of the Role:
- Report directly to and collaborate 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.
- 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.
- Handle 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.
Key Skills Required:
- 3 Years+ PQE.
- Registered with the Law Society; Children Panel Membership is desirable.
- Strong management skills and a committed team player.
- Previous proven supervisory experience and working to key performance indicators.
- Excellent networking and communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Company and generate new business.
- Working knowledge of publicly funded Child Care work and ability to service privately funded cases.
- Extensive experience in dealing with all Child Care work related matters and some expertise in 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.
Duncan Lewis is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity of its staff. We guarantee an interview for candidates that disclose a disability and meet the essential requirements for the post.
Children Law Solicitor Director employer: Duncan Lewis Solictors
Duncan Lewis Solicitors is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London, where innovation meets legal expertise. With a strong commitment to employee growth and development, we provide extensive training opportunities and embrace a hybrid-working model that promotes work-life balance. Our inclusive culture, recognised by multiple awards, ensures that every team member feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the field of law.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children Law Solicitor Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in child care law. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, be ready to discuss your experience in child care law. Share specific cases you've worked on and how you made a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of social media! Follow Duncan Lewis Solicitors and engage with their posts. It’s a great way to stay updated on their work and show your interest in their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Duncan Lewis.
We think you need these skills to ace Children Law Solicitor Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Children Law Solicitor Director role. Highlight your relevant experience in child care law and any specific cases you've worked on that align with our ethos of giving people a voice.
Showcase Your Skills:We want to see your strong management skills and client care abilities shine through. Be sure to mention any supervisory experience and how you've fostered positive change within your teams in previous roles.
Be Professional and Proactive:Demonstrate your professional approach by being clear and concise in your application. Show us how you’ve tackled complex child care issues and your interest in business development and marketing to help grow our firm.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, so don’t hesitate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Duncan Lewis Solictors
✨Know Your Child Care Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in child care law. Familiarise yourself with key cases and legislation that Duncan Lewis Solicitors might be involved with, especially those related to adoption and child protection. This will show your passion and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
As a Director, you'll need to demonstrate strong management capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully supervised teams or handled complex caseloads in the past. Highlight your ability to foster a positive team culture and drive performance.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-life scenarios. Think about challenging cases you've dealt with and how you approached them. Be ready to discuss your advocacy experience and how you’ve navigated sensitive situations with vulnerable clients.
✨Emphasise Your Business Development Acumen
Duncan Lewis values business development, so come prepared with ideas on how you can contribute to marketing and generating new business. Share any previous successes in this area and how you plan to leverage your networking skills to benefit the firm.
