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- Tasks: Join our team as a Family and Children Solicitor, handling diverse family law cases.
- Company: Duncan Lewis is a top-tier law firm known for its commitment to justice and diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, excellent progression opportunities, and support for legal accreditation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Must hold a valid Practising Certificate; experience in family law is essential.
- Other info: We guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the essential requirements.
The predicted salary is between 38400 - 67200 £ per year.
Duncan Lewis Solicitors was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in the City of London, 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 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.
Choosing a career with Duncan Lewis is choosing a law firm that is the largest provider of publicly funded (legal aid) legal services in the country and has a growing private client practice. We have been Investors in People Gold Standard accredited for over 15 years and are continuously applauded nationally for the work that we do. Having demonstrated unparalleled legal expertise and a commitment to justice, we were awarded Law Firm of the Year at both the 2024 Lexis Nexis Awards and 2023 Modern Law Awards. We are named as one of the Times 200 Best Law Firms.
Our Child Care Department is highly specialised and ranked by The Legal 500 UK and Chambers & Partners UK independent legal directories 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.
The Child Care Law department consists of members of the Law Society Children and Family Panel Members, and the majority are also members of the Association for the Lawyers for Children, and of Resolution. 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.
Main Responsibilities of the Role:
- Report directly to Department Director
- Responsible for all aspects of Family and Child Care work including providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members
- 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 public and private Family / children cases
- You will have a professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills and be interested in Business Development and Marketing
Key Skills Required:
- Must have a clean, valid Practising Certificate at the time of applying
- Registered with the Law Society and Children Panel Membership is desirable
- Committed team player with ability to approach team concerns fairly
- 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 the publicly funded Family / Child Care work
- Have extensive experience in dealing with all Family / Child-Care work-related work
- Experience in own advocacy is an advantage
- Excellent IT Skills - familiar with Microsoft Office applications
What we offer:
- A fantastic supportive team
- Excellent progression opportunities
- Support for appropriate legal awards/recognition
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. We will cover the cost of:
- Attending the mandatory training course (£1100)
- Children Law Reaccreditation every 3 years (approx. £618)
- Family Law Reaccreditation every 5 years (approx. £556)
The total cost of progressing onto the Children panel is approximately £1700. Salary: Moving forward we are looking to offer all new Children, Family, Family Advanced and Resolution Panel members a base salary of £48,000 in London and within the M25.
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. We guarantee an interview for candidates that disclose a disability and meet the essential requirements for the post.
Family and Children Solicitor - Birmingham employer: Duncan Lewis
Contact Detail:
Duncan Lewis Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Family and Children Solicitor - Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific areas of family and child care law that Duncan Lewis focuses on. Understanding their approach to cases like child abduction and adoption will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field, especially those who are part of the Law Society Children and Family Panel. This can provide insights into the firm’s culture and may lead to valuable connections that could support your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your commitment to diversity and inclusion in your discussions. Given Duncan Lewis's accolades in this area, highlighting any relevant experiences or initiatives you've been involved in can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with vulnerable clients and how you handle complex family law issues. Being able to articulate your client care skills and advocacy experience will be crucial in demonstrating your fit for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Family and Children Solicitor - Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in family and child care law. Emphasise any supervisory roles, client care skills, and your ability to handle complex cases, as these are key aspects of the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for family law and your commitment to supporting vulnerable clients. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your expertise and how you align with the firm's ethos of giving people a voice.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, including your Practising Certificate and any memberships with the Law Society or Children Panel. If you have experience in advocacy or public funding, make sure to include that as well.
Showcase Your Teamwork Skills: Since the role requires a committed team player, provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with colleagues in previous positions. Highlight any initiatives you've led that fostered positive change within a team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Duncan Lewis
✨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 commitment and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Client Care Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed client relationships, especially with vulnerable clients. Highlight your ability to empathise and communicate effectively, as these skills are crucial in family law.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Since the role involves supervising other solicitors and caseworkers, be ready to discuss your previous supervisory experience. Share specific instances where you led a team or contributed to positive changes within your department.
✨Express Interest in Business Development
Duncan Lewis values business development, so come prepared with ideas on how you could contribute to marketing efforts. Discuss any past experiences where you successfully generated new business or improved client outreach.
