At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic family law team, managing complex public law children matters and mentoring junior solicitors.
- Company: Join GTS Stewart, a top-tier legal firm known for its supportive culture and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, profit sharing, flexible working, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Experience a friendly, paperless environment with ongoing training and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in family law while shaping the future of a thriving team.
- Qualifications: Must be a Children Panel member with at least 3 years’ PQE and strong advocacy skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
GTS Stewart is offering a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced Children Panel solicitor to join us as Head of the Woolwich Family Team. This role combines hands-on public law children work with genuine influence over team growth and culture, supported by the infrastructure of a Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners recognised firm.
The role involves managing complex public law children matters, including care proceedings, child protection, SGO and adoption work. You will represent parents, children and Guardians and undertake advocacy as appropriate. Alongside your caseload, you will supervise and mentor junior solicitors and caseworkers, supporting their development and helping to shape the future of the Woolwich Family practice.
About you:
- Children Panel member with a minimum of 3 years’ PQE
- Confident across all aspects of childcare law
- Experienced in advocacy
- Comfortable leading and supervising others
- Committed to high standards of client care
- Competent and willing to undertake your own advocacy
- Prepared to network and create new business
- Experience managing and training office staff, paralegals and/or trainees
A following of work is welcomed but not essential; we are equally interested in candidates seeking a long-term leadership role within a supportive environment.
What we are seeking:
- Someone who will hit the ground running
- Understanding of legal aid
- Ability to undertake and generate private paying work
Working with us:
We will offer ongoing training and support to develop your career as part of a strong and growing multi-office team. Our offices are friendly, working entirely paperless with recent significant investment in modern IT to enable you to work proficiently. Our team works on a hybrid basis with a split of office working and remote working on the basis we trust that everyone works to meet their targets and deadlines.
We offer a great package of annual leave to ensure you get enough time away from work. Our annual leave for this role provides 28 days (plus bank holidays / Christmas and New Year). We review annual leave and increase with service. We offer competitive salaries and bonus structures enabling our team to share in the profits of their successes.
Employee benefits with GTS:
- Competitive base salary
- Profit sharing through bonuses, based on billing and meeting targets
- Pension Scheme with employer contribution
- Benenden Health Care
- Administrative support
- Firm laptop and mobile phone
- Ongoing training and development
- Flexible working arrangements
- Support from colleagues for case cover
- Supportive supervision from mentors
- Annual appraisals and salary reviews
- Bi-annual parties for Summer and Christmas
- Birthday leave
- Electric Car Salary sacrifice scheme
Our lawyers focus on their fee-earning and billing/credit control is undertaken independently by other teams in-house. Lawyers also have the benefit of dictation and support staff to assist in easing the pressure and enabling efficient working. We are a multi-office, multi-service Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners firm recognised for excellence in a variety of legal fields.
Please send your CV and a cover letter to our dedicated HR team via email on: recruitment@gtstewart.co.uk.
Head of Team / Supervising Solicitor – Family employer: Gt Stewart Solicitors & Advocates
GTS Stewart is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for the Head of the Woolwich Family Team. With a strong commitment to employee growth, competitive salaries, and a generous benefits package including profit sharing and flexible working arrangements, we empower our solicitors to thrive both professionally and personally. Our modern, paperless offices and emphasis on ongoing training ensure that you will have the resources and support needed to excel in your role while making a meaningful impact in family law.
Contact Detail:
Gt Stewart Solicitors & Advocates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Team / Supervising Solicitor – Family
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other professionals in the family law sector. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in public law children matters and your advocacy skills. Share specific examples of cases you've handled and how you've mentored others – it’ll show you’re ready to lead the Woolwich Family Team.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at GTS Stewart, which is always a bonus.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of legal aid and private paying work. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the growth and culture of our team. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so show us you’re that person!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Team / Supervising Solicitor – Family
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Head of Team role. Highlight your experience in public law children matters and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how you can hit the ground running!
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 your background makes you a perfect fit for our Woolwich Family Team. Don’t forget to mention your commitment to high standards of client care.
Showcase Your Advocacy Skills:Since advocacy is a key part of this role, be sure to include examples of your advocacy work in both your CV and cover letter. We want to know how you've represented parents, children, and Guardians effectively in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gt Stewart Solicitors & Advocates
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of childcare law and public law matters. Be ready to discuss specific cases you've handled, especially those involving care proceedings and child protection. This will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves supervising and mentoring junior solicitors, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Talk about your approach to training and supporting others, and how you foster a positive team culture.
✨Demonstrate Advocacy Experience
As advocacy is a key part of this role, come equipped with examples of your advocacy work. Discuss any challenges you've faced in court and how you overcame them. This will highlight your confidence and competence in representing clients effectively.
✨Be Ready to Network
The job mentions creating new business, so think about how you can contribute to this aspect. Prepare to discuss your networking strategies and any existing connections you might bring to the firm. Showing that you can help grow the practice will set you apart from other candidates.