At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead family law cases and mentor a dynamic team of solicitors and trainees.
- Company: Top-tier law firm with a commitment to diversity and professional development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression support, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a paperless firm recognised for excellence and innovation in legal services.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advancing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Must be an accredited Family Solicitor with strong management and client care skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 52000 £ 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.
We are committed to recruiting dedicated and talented professionals and welcome applications from exceptional candidates. At Duncan Lewis, we value training and diversity, and we take pride in our inclusive workforce.
Department Background:
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 is experienced 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
- 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 Family / 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:
- 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)
- 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 publicly funded Family / Child Care work and have the ability to service privately funded cases
- Have 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
SALARY STRUCTURE (Non-Accredited) - FAMILY LAW SOLICITOR SALARY:
- NQ: £42,500 (London), £40,000 (Outside London)
- 1 Year PQE: £44,000 (London), £42,000 (Outside London)
- 2 Years PQE: £45,500 (London), £43,500 (Outside London)
- 3 Years Plus PQE: £47,000 (London), £45,000 (Outside London)
Law Society Accreditation/Resolution:
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)
- Application fees (approx. £294)
- Annual membership fee (approx. £324)
- Children Law Reaccreditation every 3 years (approx. £618)
- Family Law Reaccreditation every 5 years (approx. £556)
The total cost of progressing onto the Family panel is approximately £1700.
Family Law Panel Member / Accreditation Salary + Supervision Bonus:
Moving forward we are looking to offer all new Family and Resolution Panel members a base salary of:
- £52,000 in London and within the M25.
- £50,000 outside London.
This salary will apply from the date you are registered as a panel member/accredited with the Law Society. Advancement of the above fees will be subject to our terms and conditions in the contract of employment/accreditation agreement.
Supervision Bonus:
Supervision bonus is payable after panel membership has been attained.
SUPERVISION BONUS STRUCTURE - FAMILY LAW:
- Supervise 1 Paralegal: £1,250 (London), £1,150 (Outside London)
- Supervise 2 Paralegals: £1,750 (London), £1,600 (Outside London)
- Supervise 3 Paralegals: £2,250 (London), £2,100 (Outside London)
- Supervise 4 Paralegals: £2,750 (London), £2,550 (Outside London)
Total (per annum): £8,000 (London), £7,400 (Outside London)
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.
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THE ABOVE VACANCY.
Family Solicitor (x3) - Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Luton employer: Duncan Lewis
Duncan Lewis Solicitors is an exceptional employer, recognised for its commitment to professional development and a supportive work culture. With a strong focus on training, diversity, and career progression, employees benefit from a collaborative environment that encourages personal growth and the pursuit of legal accreditations. Our offices in Birmingham, Milton Keynes, and Luton offer a dynamic setting where solicitors can thrive while making a meaningful impact in family law.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Solicitor (x3) - Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Luton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the legal field. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to solicitors on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the firm thoroughly. Know their values, recent achievements, and what makes them stand out in family law. This will not only impress your interviewers but also help you tailor your answers to fit their ethos.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills during interviews! Bring examples of your past work, especially in family law cases. Discuss how you’ve handled complex situations and how your proactive approach has benefited clients. This is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our fantastic team at Duncan Lewis. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Family Solicitor (x3) - Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Family Solicitor role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in family law, and don’t forget to mention any accreditations you have. We want to see how your skills match what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about family law and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it professional but let your personality come through – we love a bit of character!
Showcase Your Client Care Skills:Since client care is key in this role, make sure to provide examples of how you've successfully managed client relationships in the past. We want to know how you handle vulnerable clients and complex situations with empathy and professionalism.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our fantastic team at Duncan Lewis. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Duncan Lewis
✨Know Your Family Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in family law, especially those relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with key cases and legislation that could come up during the interview. This shows your commitment and expertise in the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
Since the role involves supervising other solicitors and caseworkers, be prepared to discuss your previous supervisory experience. Think of specific examples where you've successfully managed a team or resolved conflicts, as this will demonstrate your leadership abilities.
✨Demonstrate Client Care Excellence
Prepare to talk about your approach to client care, especially when dealing with vulnerable clients. Share anecdotes that highlight your empathy and problem-solving skills, as these are crucial in family law.
✨Be Ready for Business Development Questions
Duncan Lewis values business development, so think about how you can contribute to this aspect. Have ideas ready on how to market the firm and generate new business, as well as any networking experiences you've had that could benefit the team.
