About The Role
We are seeking a junior lawyer to join our Band 1 ranked Human Rights department, working on some of the UK's most significant and high-profile group litigation. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the contaminated blood scandal litigation, one of the most serious public health failures in NHS history. You will work within Gene Matthews' team, supporting and representing individuals infected and affected by contaminated blood products as they pursue redress through the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. The team also acts for individuals who have suffered injuries as a result of participating in clinical trials.
This role offers the chance to work on truly impactful cases, helping individuals who have been affected by serious injustices secure access to compensation. Working alongside experienced lawyers in a collaborative and highly regarded team, you will gain exposure to complex and meaningful work while developing your technical and client-handling skills.
We welcome applications from candidates from a wide range of backgrounds. However, the role would be particularly well suited to lawyers with experience in personal injury and/or clinical negligence who are looking to broaden their expertise and transition into human rights-focused work.
Essential
What you'll bring
- Ability to demonstrate a commitment to equality, access to justice and affordable legal advice of the highest quality.
- Interest in Consumer Law, Environmental Protection and Data Protection Law Would suit candidates with personal injury and/ or clinical negligence experience who are looking for a change in direction.
- Qualified lawyer with 0-1 years PQE – exceptional candidates slightly above this level of qualification can also be considered. We would also welcome applications from candidates returning to practice after a career break.
- Ability to learn new areas of law quickly and develop new areas or work for the firm.
- Demonstrable knowledge in conduct of cases from initial advice through to trial.
- Substantial experience in calculating losses in Schedule of Loss (often large and complex).
- Relevant experience in analysing complex factual and legal situations and advising clients in accordance with their aims.
- Substantial experience in dealing sensitively with clients and experts, providing solutions, and managing difficult situations and conversations.
- Ability to analyse complex factual and legal situations and advise as to the critical path that should be followed.
- Some relevant experience in creating new business opportunities.
- Solid experience in using a variety of IT packages (MS Word, Excel, Case Management Systems and Outlook).
- Excellent communication skills, demonstrated by ability to communicate accurately, clearly, and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
- Excellent time management skills demonstrated by ability to organise and prioritise a complex workload and work to tight deadlines.
- Experience in working and contributing to a team environment.
Desirable
- Experience in or knowledge of any of these areas will be an added advantage: Personal Injury, clinical negligence, consumer law, environmental protection, data protection law and group claims.
About Leigh Day
We are a top 100 law firm committed to claimant-only cases, ensuring that individuals have the same access to justice as the UK Government and large corporations. We're not afraid to take on difficult and challenging cases involving medical negligence, serious personal injuries, discrimination in the workplace, defective products and human rights abuses in this country and overseas.
Benefits
Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
- Hybrid working (typically 2-3 days from home for a full time worker)
- 29 days annual leave (excluding public holidays)
- Enhanced pension contributions
- Life assurance 4 x salary
- Healthcare cash plan
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Discounted gym membership
- Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
- Electric car scheme
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Associate Solicitor, Human Rights (Contaminated Blood / Clinical Trials), 0-1PQE employer: Leigh Day
At Leigh Day, we pride ourselves on being a leading claimant law firm that champions access to justice for all. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and professional growth, with opportunities to engage in meaningful cases that make a real difference in people's lives. With a comprehensive benefits package, including hybrid working, generous leave, and enhanced family pay, we ensure our employees are well-supported both personally and professionally.
