Associate

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Associate to join our Private Client team in Cheltenham. The team is highly rated in both Chambers and Legal 500 and has a range of experience acting for high net worth clients.

The role sits within our specialist Older and Vulnerable Persons (OVP) team. The OVP is a team of lawyers with the expertise and understanding to support and advise older and vulnerable individuals, their families and carers on a range of legal issues. This will involve working with individuals with a range of vulnerabilities, including brain injuries, dementia, learning disabilities and mental health issues.

Day-to-day responsibilities and tasks include:

• Meetings with vulnerable clients
• Liaising with carers, care homes, estate agents and other professionals
• Day-to-day management of financial affairs for vulnerable clients, such as:

• Reviewing benefit entitlement
• Assessing financial resources
• Assessing care contributions
• Researching products and services the individual may require
• Attending clients both in care and in the community
• Reviewing care plans
• Preparing annual deputy reports
• Preparing Court of Protection applications including deputyship (financial and welfare), statutory wills, trustee removal and gifting.
• Preparing Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney

Other general responsibilities may include:

• Contribution to business development initiatives, such as networking events, preparing articles, website content and social media posts.
• Contribution to annual OVP conference organisation and delivery.
• Supervision, mentoring and support for paralegals of the team.
• Supporting with Legal 500 and Chambers submissions, event and awards applications and submissions.

The successful candidate will:

• 3-6 PQE
• Have a strong Court of Protection background, with experience in managing a caseload of COP Deputyship and Attorneyship management files
• Have a passion for supporting and protecting vulnerable adults
• Have a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Care Act 2014 and the professional deputy standards.
• Be able to work as part of a team, offering support to peers where required
• Have good communication skills, adapting communication skills to suit the audience
• Have excellent organisational skills with good attention to detail
• Have strong leadership skills and be able to use their initiative
• Be keen to support and contribute to marketing and business development ideas and strategies
• Be able to deal with sensitive issues and scenarios with empathy and professionalism
• Be capable of managing a varied workload - prioritising, delegating and diarising tasks
• Have a willingness to learn new skills and processes
• Show initiative through active case management.

Benefits of working with us:

• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Sight tests / Glasses discounts
• Bonus scheme
• Electric vehicle scheme
• International secondments for 0-5 PQE
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme
• 28 days annual leave (plus public holidays)
• Happy People / Perks at Work benefits portal
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Life Assurance
• 1/3 gym membership contribution
• Flu vaccinations

As HCR is an equal opportunities employer, we don’t just accept differences, we celebrate them. We want to attract a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and skills to create a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and which works together to achieve the best outcome for our clients.