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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic Child Care team, managing cases and mentoring junior solicitors.
- Company: Join Duncan Lewis, a top-tier law firm recognised for excellence in legal services and client care.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, professional development opportunities, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in child care law while working with a passionate and expert team.
- Qualifications: 3+ years PQE, registered with the Law Society, and strong management skills required.
- Other info: Duncan Lewis values diversity and offers guaranteed interviews for candidates with disabilities.
The predicted salary is between 57000 - 75000 £ per year.
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.
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.
Department Background:
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.
If you are interested in applying for this vacancy, apply now or you can also visit our website and apply using our online process.
Children Law Solicitor Director - Salary £67,500 p.a., DOE - Birmingham employer: Duncan Lewis Solictors
Contact Detail:
Duncan Lewis Solictors Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children Law Solicitor Director - Salary £67,500 p.a., DOE - Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest developments in child care law. This will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in a rapidly evolving field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the child care law sector. Attend relevant seminars or workshops, and connect with members of the Law Society Children and Family Panel to gain insights and potentially get referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your management skills by discussing any previous supervisory roles you've held. Highlight how you fostered a positive team environment and met performance targets, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your approach to client care, especially when dealing with vulnerable clients. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully navigated complex child care issues in the past.
We think you need these skills to ace Children Law Solicitor Director - Salary £67,500 p.a., DOE - Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in child care law, including any supervisory roles and specific cases you've handled. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for child care law and your commitment to client care. Mention specific achievements or experiences that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Clearly outline your qualifications, including your PQE, Law Society registration, and any relevant memberships. Highlight your management skills and experience in handling complex child care cases.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread your documents for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Duncan Lewis Solictors
✨Know Your Child Care Law
Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in child care law. Familiarise yourself with key cases and legislation that are relevant to the role, as this will demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
Since the role involves supervising solicitors and caseworkers, be prepared to discuss your previous management experiences. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully led a team or improved performance metrics.
✨Demonstrate Client Care Abilities
Prepare to share examples of how you've effectively dealt with vulnerable clients in the past. This is crucial in child care law, so showcasing your empathy and communication skills will set you apart.
✨Be Ready for Advocacy Scenarios
As the role may involve advocacy, think about any relevant experiences you have in this area. Be ready to discuss how you approach advocacy in child care cases and any successful outcomes you've achieved.