Senior Associate (Court of Protection Health & Welfare) in Reading

EMG Solicitors is an award winning Legal 500 law firm with offices across the North but acting nationally, specialising in Court of Protection, Deputyships, Mental Health Law, Family Law and Mediation, Residential Conveyancing, Dispute Resolution, Employment Law, Education Law and Wills, Trusts & Probate services.

Our mission is to provide the legal support our clients require in order to achieve anything from their basic needs to their wildest dreams and everything in between.

What are we looking for?

We are seeking a Senior Associate Solicitor, approximately 7 years PQE, to join our Court of Protection, Health and Welfare team.

Where will you be based?

This role will be based from our Reading office, but we would expect you to travel and work from other offices from time to time.

How many hours will you be working?

This is a full-time role which is 35 hours per week, however at EMG Solicitor we work flexibly, it’s not a 9 to 5 role, but we do expect the work to be done, when you do it can be largely up to yourself, your Team Leader and the requirements of your clients.

A brief overview of the role

The purpose of the role is to proactively manage a caseload of Court of Protection matters, relating to health and welfare.

The role involves actively supporting the team leader, deputising in their absence and supporting them in team management responsibilities including 1 to 1 monthly meetings, compliance and development of the firm’s case management system.

The individual will also be required to give business development input in securing work.

What will we expect from you

Your work will come from a mixture of delegation and work you will generate for yourself.

We encourage all our team members to win work, which can be achieved in a variety of ways, including:

• Becoming known as a go-to specialist in a field, including writing articles and speaking
• at events, both external and internal.
• Attending networking events and flying the EMG Solicitors flag.
• Developing relationships on a one-to-one basis.

Each of these methods is equally valid and we will support you in not only making a plan which works for you and the firm but also providing you with any additional training you may need to help you with this aspect of your role.

You should be passionate about providing

• Support to your colleagues.
• To undertake your duties professionally and with the utmost skill and care.
• To always put clients first and respect their confidentiality at all times.

We take the view we stand and fall as a team – you will need to work both on your own and as part of a team.

About the role

Getting paid for the work you do.

In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring that your work contributes directly to the profitability and success of the department. This will involve:

• You will undertake fee earning work and provide a profitable contribution to the work of the
• department.
• Ensure the successful development of the department and of the firm in line with the business plan.
• You will ensure the client's needs are met as soon as possible and deal with any issues which may arise for them.
• You will be responsible for taking client instructions and providing both legal advice and assistance.
• You'll be representing your clients at Court, undertaking advocacy and instructing Counsel where appropriate.
• Participation in business development and marketing activities whether on a firm wide, departmental and/or office basis is a key part of the role, in particular in relation to the development of the Court of Protection Health and Welfare department.

This includes: liaison with the Legal Aid Agency, building up referral sources for health and welfare work and working within the rules of the Legal Aid contract.

• You will be responsible for financial control, including taking monies on account of fees and disbursements when possible and appropriate, record time accurately and in line with chargeable and non-chargeable time targets.
• You will agree fees with client in advance of billing, whether by agreeing fixed fees or hourly rates with fee estimate (where applicable).
• You will bill matters promptly and appropriately, seeking to maximise recovery of time spent. Making sure you are billing in line with Court of Protection rules.
• You'll work as a case worker under the Mental Heath Legal Aid Contract - acting in line with the requirements of that contract.
• Managing a caseload including S21A applications and S16 applications together with any other queries relating to COP H&W including care funding and if requested Education law.

To be able to perform this job you will need.

• You will be a qualified Senior Associate Solicitor with a minimum of 8 years PQE or more.
• You will have experience of dealing with complex Court of Protection matters.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop staff to reach their full potential.
• Ability to remain personable and keep all staff issues confidential.
• Key skills needed for the role are excellent communication skills, teamwork, attention to detail and ability to use initiative.
• You will be confident attending networking events and building new relationships to generate business for your department, but also cross-referrals where possible.
• Ensuring the firms procedures are always adhered to and followed, respecting client confidentiality at all times.
• You will need to have the confidence to inform the team leader of any serious problems you could encounter with client files.
• Law Society Mental Health Accreditation is preferred, or a commitment to obtain it within an agreed timeframe.
• What we’re looking for

A little bit about the colleague we’re looking for

We’re looking for a colleague who aligns with our core values of

• Cooperation
• we proactively support our clients and each other.
• Courage
• we are ambitious and think big.
• Integrity
• we are open and transparent.
• Kindness
• we value people, communities, having fun and being happy.

We want someone who will work proactively to deliver exceptional client service through the knowledge and skills they bring to the role.

We want someone who will go the extra mile for both their clients and their colleagues, so we all achieve anything from our basic needs to our wildest dreams and everything in between.

Some of the behaviours we want to see demonstrated in this role

• Co-operation
• You will need to work proactively together with your team towards your common goals, being willing to give up your own time and helping clients and colleagues even when you are under pressure yourself.
• Courage
• You will fight for your client’s cause; however, we don’t want you to just say ‘yes’ to your client we want to give the difficult answers and advice too.
• Excellence
• We are one legal firm and, in your role, we would expect you to seek to help your client with all their legal issues. In working with your clients, we expect excellence in client care keeping them up to date with what can be done and buy when.
• Integrity
• You will work in a way which demonstrates fairness, openness and honesty offering training and sharing knowledge. If you do happen to make a mistake, we would want you to raise these with your supervisor without fear of any reprisal.
• Kindness
• We ask that you listen, encourage participation and allow people to be heard, noticing when colleagues and clients may need an extra hand and an offer of help.

What you can expect from us

• Firm wide annual bonus scheme, in addition to a competitive salary.
• 4% Pension employer contributions offered through Standard Life.
• 25 days holiday entitlement per year (FTE) with an additional three days off at Christmas.
• 5 extra days paid leave on your 5-year anniversary – (and every 5 years thereafter).
• Life Assurance providing your loved ones with a 3 X salary death in service benefit.
• Employee Assistance Program – a Freephone number you can call 24/7 for personal, legal and financial issues; to arrange counselling and a GP helpline.
• EMG Rewards – Vivup well-being & Tastecard apps offering discounts across a large number of retailers & restaurants.
• £50 Gift card on your birthday as well as a late start or early finish.
• £50 Gift card at Christmas plus Christmas closure (subject to variation).
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Salary Sacrifice Electric Car scheme.
• Fruit and refreshments in each office.
• If you want to take the family or friends out, we have two passes for Beamish open air museum which you can book out and take up to 10 people.
• Opportunity to join EMG working groups, such as our Green Team, Better Health at Work Team, Empowerment, Diversity and Inclusion Team & our Community Team.
• Regular surveys to understand issues our team care about. Includes regular guest speakers on a wide range of topics
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