At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead family law cases and mentor a dynamic team of solicitors and trainees.
- Company: Join Duncan Lewis, a top-tier law firm in the heart of London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and support for legal awards.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and enjoy a supportive, inclusive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in family law while growing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Must hold a valid Practising Certificate and have family law experience.
The predicted salary is between 42500 - 47000 £ per year.
Join the next generation of leading lawyers. With more than 100 training contracts available each year, our trainees have the opportunity to specialise in one or more areas of law.
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 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.
The Legal 500 independent legal directory applauds our Family legal team as “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, ensuring our clients receive a consistent and professional service as well as a high degree of continuity.
The Family department has expertise in assisting high net worth individuals in divorce matters with specialist divorce solicitors with expertise 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 Department Director
- Responsible for all aspects of Family law 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
- Deal with a range of public and private Family / children cases including child abduction, child protection issues, special guardianship and adoption matters as well as undertaking own advocacy
- Maintain 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
- Must have a clean, valid Practising Certificate at the time of applying
- Registered with the Law Society
- Accredited Family Solicitor on the Family Law Panel (preferred) with Abduction Panel accreditation (desirable)
- 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
- 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 publicly funded Family / Child Care work and ability to service privately funded cases
- Extensive experience in dealing with all Family / 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
What we offer
- A fantastic supportive team
- Strong career progression with support for legal awards and professional recognition
- Excellent progression opportunities
- Support for appropriate legal awards/recognition
Salary
Salary: £42,500–£47,000 p.a., based on experience (Non-Accredited). If you attain Family Law Panel membership, base salary increases to £52,000 in London and within the M25. Supervision bonus: £8,000 (London) or £7,400 (Outside London).
Equal Opportunities
We guarantee an interview for candidates that disclose a disability and meet the essential requirements for the post. The company strives to ensure that our staff reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Duncan Lewis is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity at all levels within the workforce.
Application Invitation
We are always keen to hear from committed and capable people, in both legal and non‑legal roles. Whether you are an experienced practitioner or looking to begin your career, we welcome applications from individuals who want to contribute to our work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family & Children Solicitor (x3)
✨Join Local Law Societies
Get involved with local law societies in your area. These groups often host networking events, workshops, and panels that can provide insider insights and potential job leads. It’s a great way to meet professionals who can vouch for you!
✨Leverage University Resources
Swing by your uni’s career centre and see what they’ve got on offer for law students. They usually have connections with firms looking for trainees, and can help you polish your interview skills through mock interviews. Don’t forget to ask about any upcoming recruitment fairs!
✨Connect with Trainee Alumni
Reach out to past trainees from your network or alumni groups. They can offer invaluable advice on their experiences and might even point you to firms that are hiring. Plus, you never know when a friendly face could help your application stand out!
✨Submit Direct Applications through Our Website
Don't wait around for listings! If you’ve got your heart set on a certain firm like Duncan Lewis, drop them a direct application through their website. Tailor your cover letter to reflect your passion for law and what you can bring to their team!
We think you need these skills to ace Family & Children Solicitor (x3)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Acumen:Make sure your CV highlights your knowledge of legal principles and any relevant coursework. This is super important for a trainee role, so if you've got any practical experience like mooting competitions or internships, be sure to include those to show us what you've learned in practice!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Let us know why legal services excite you and detail your motivation for wanting to be a trainee with us at Duncan Lewis. Share any unique experiences or insights you've had that relate to our work — we love to see passion!
Demonstrate Your Research Skills:As part of a legal team, strong research skills are key. If you've conducted any legal research during your studies or previous roles, mention specific cases or legal documents you've worked with. Including these details can set you apart from other candidates applying for your trainee spot.
Tailor Your Documents to Us:When applying through our website, make sure you're tailoring your CV and cover letter specifically for the role at Duncan Lewis. Use our job posting as a guide to emphasize the skills and qualifications that align perfectly with the trainee position — it shows us you're keen and have done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at Duncan Lewis
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Get ready to showcase your understanding of key legal concepts and principles relevant to the field. Brush up on areas like contract law or torts, as you might encounter some scenario-based questions during your interview. It’s not just about memorising; be prepared to discuss how you'd apply these principles in real-world situations, which will highlight your analytical skills.
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In legal interviews, your ability to conduct thorough research is essential. Be prepared to discuss how you approach case studies or legal precedents. You might also be asked about tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis, so having some familiarity with these platforms can really set you apart.
✨Emphasise Your Enthusiasm for Learning
As a trainee, companies like Duncan Lewis want to see your passion for the law and eagerness to learn. Bring up any relevant coursework, internships, or voluntary work during your studies. This shows that you're proactive and ready to embrace the challenges of the legal world.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect a few behavioural questions that probe your problem-solving and teamwork skills. Examples might relate to how you've handled conflict in a group project or dealt with tight deadlines. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly, making it easy for the interviewers to see your thought process.
