Social Housing Solicitor-Director - Salary £68K Per Annum - Leeds

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.

Our Housing team, ranked by The Legal 500 directory, provides assistance to both landlords and tenants on all housing issues. Our solicitors are highly experienced in finding solutions to housing disputes and aim to address the issues quickly and effectively. We offer lawyer supported dispute resolution or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for housing disrepair matters and regularly represent clients in the courts.

Main Responsibilities of the Role:

• Report directly to and collaborate with the Board to ensure performance targets are met.
• Responsible for all aspects of Housing work including providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members.
• Significant experience in representing clients as Housing Court Duty Scheme over the last 2 years.
• Ability to manage and supervise Solicitors, Trainee Solicitors and Caseworkers.
• Assisting with delivery of appropriate training and development in the department.
• Variety of duties including dealing with a range of Housing cases such as Homelessness, Disrepair, Eviction, Possession, Property Ownership Disputes, Succession for Tenants, Housing adaptations, Social Housing, and Neighbourhood Problems.
• Dealing with emergency cases and identifying and carrying out strategic litigation.
• Preparing and managing funding applications to the Legal Aid Agency.
• Preparing draft documents including witness statements and processing evidence.

Key Skills Required:

• 3 Years+ PQE with proven experience of Housing and Litigation, including court representation essential.
• Must have experience as Duty Advisor under Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme over the last 2 years.
• Must meet the 2013 SQM Supervisor standard in Housing, or willing to work towards this.
• Experience in welfare rights and community care issues.
• Must have a clean, valid Practicing Certificate at the time of applying.
• Strong management skills and committed team player.
• Previous proven supervisory experience and working to key performance indicators.
• Professional with a pro-active approach; excellent client care skills.
• Excellent networking and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of publicly funded Housing work including legal representation.
• Extensive experience in dealing with all Housing related work.
• Experience in own advocacy is an advantage.
• Excellent IT Skills - familiar with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to manage social media activity to promote the Company.

We offer:

• Senior Solicitor - Director Level Salary: Outside London: £68,000+

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. We guarantee an interview for candidates that disclose a disability and meet the essential requirements for the post.

If you are interested in applying for this vacancy, apply now or visit our company website to apply using our online process.