At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage diverse housing cases and provide expert guidance to team members.
- Company: Top-tier law firm in the City of London with a commitment to client service.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, supportive team, and strong career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team making a real difference in housing law.
- Qualifications: Must hold a valid Practising Certificate and have strong management skills.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and enjoy a paperless, hybrid-working environment.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
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 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.
Housing Department Background: Our Housing team is ranked and recommended by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK for its services in social housing UK-wide, providing assistance to both landlords and tenants on all housing issues. We handle both publicly funded (legal aid) and privately funded legal services in homelessness, disrepair, unlawful eviction, succession for tenants, neighbourhood problems, and possession proceedings. Our solicitors are highly experienced in finding solutions to housing disputes and aim to address the issues quickly and effectively. The department regularly represents clients at all court levels (including the appeal Courts) and is extensively experienced at handling all housing related judicial review matters at the High Court.
Main Responsibilities of the Role:
- Report directly to Department Director
- Responsible for all aspects of Housing work and on occasions, where appropriate providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members
- Ability to manage appropriate caseload types and complexities
- Assisting with a diverse caseload of public and private housing matters, such as:
- Homelessness applications and appeals
- Disrepair claims
- Eviction and possession proceedings
- Property ownership disputes
- Unlawful eviction cases
- Succession rights for tenants
- Neighbourhood and anti-social behaviour issues
Key Skills Required:
- Must have a clean, valid Practising 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 client matters in a sensitive manner and resolve complicated practicalities involved in Housing issues
- Excellent networking and communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Company and generate new business
- Excellent analytical and organisational skills
- Ability to use own initiative and sound judgment
- Working knowledge of the publicly funded Housing work including legal representation and legal help and have the ability to service privately funded cases
- Have extensive experience in dealing with all Housing related work
- 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
- Attractive salary package with supervision bonus
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.
Housing Litigation Solicitor (x2) – City of London employer: Duncan Lewis
Contact Detail:
Duncan Lewis Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Litigation Solicitor (x2) – City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who might know someone at Duncan Lewis. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of housing law and the specific challenges faced by tenants and landlords. Show us you’re not just a great solicitor but also passionate about making a difference in people’s lives.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll be one step closer to joining our fantastic team at Duncan Lewis!
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Litigation Solicitor (x2) – City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Housing Litigation Solicitor role. Highlight your relevant experience in housing law and any specific cases you've handled that align with what Duncan Lewis is looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills match the key requirements. Talk about your management experience, client care skills, and any advocacy work you've done. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. This helps us quickly understand your qualifications and why you’d be a great fit for our firm.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at Duncan Lewis!
How to prepare for a job interview at Duncan Lewis
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on housing law and the specific areas mentioned in the job description. Familiarise yourself with homelessness applications, disrepair claims, and eviction proceedings. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Advocacy Skills
Since the role involves conducting your own advocacy, prepare examples of past experiences where you've successfully represented clients. Think about challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your capability and readiness for the responsibilities of the position.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Leadership
Duncan Lewis values a committed team player, so be ready to discuss your previous supervisory experience. Share instances where you've fostered positive change within a team or handled conflicts effectively. Highlighting your ability to encourage cross referrals will also be a plus.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with thoughtful questions about the firm’s culture, training opportunities, and how they support professional development. This shows your genuine interest in the firm and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.