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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team specialising in property litigation and contentious construction.
- Company: Shepherd and Wedderburn, a leading law firm in Edinburgh.
- Benefits: Inclusive culture, professional development, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in legal disputes while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: 2-5 years PQE in property litigation or contentious construction preferred.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our business.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Property & Infrastructure Disputes, Edinburgh
Main information
- PQE: 2-5
- Term type: Permanent
- Department: Property & Infrastructure Disputes
- Location: Edinburgh
The team
The role will be to join Colin Archibald's team within the firm's Property & Infrastructure (PID) group, to specialise in both Property Litigation and Contentious Construction work. The role will involve providing, and supporting senior colleagues in the provision of legal advice to clients of the firm across a broad range of property and construction dispute work.
The property litigation work includes advising on complex property contract disputes, landlord and tenant issues, title issues and boundary disputes, servitudes and rights of way, and property related debt recovery work. The team has a particular specialism in telecoms work, advising on issues arising under the Electronic Communications Code (ECC).
In addition, the team regularly advises on a range of contentious construction matters, with a particular focus on post-completion defects claims and professional indemnity work. The team works closely with colleagues both within the PID practice group and around the firm, and in particular colleagues in the firm's Property and Infrastructure teams.
This role is for a Solicitor with between two and five years' PQE.
The role Candidate Profile
- Exceptional time management skills
- Exceptional communication skills
- Strong ability to carry out legal research independently
- Previous experience of both property litigation, including ECC work, and contentious construction work would be helpful, but not essential
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Experience of and enthusiasm for court and tribunal appearance work
Technical/Legal Skills
- Demonstrates appropriate range of legal knowledge and, with assistance, can identify issues outside their expertise and seek appropriate assistance.
- Demonstrates initiative to obtain relevant information to complete tasks.
- Produces a solution best addressing the client's requirements, with guidance.
- Demonstrates potential to display effective spoken and written advocacy skills.
- If appropriate, seeks to comply with formalities required in connection with spoken and written advocacy and deals with witnesses and opposing arguments effectively.
Business/Work Management
- Works as part of a team and identifies strategies to manage work in order to attain objectives within agreed timescales and budgets.
- Keeps all clients and colleagues up-to-date with latest developments.
- Complies with all firm policies and procedures, including financial.
- Implements improvements in working methods.
- Prepares well for meetings.
- Makes effective use of the firm's information management systems, and complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
Business Development & Client Relationship Management
- Communicates clearly with prospective and current clients in all contexts.
- Assists in assessing scope of work and fees within teams.
- Is aware of the impact of external market forces on clients and identifies trends which may lead to opportunities.
- Develops effective ways of delivering client solutions with minimum guidance.
- Developing an understanding of how to build client relations.
- Developing an understanding of client care issues.
- Communicates client feedback to senior team members.
- Developing an understanding of value of activity versus time spent.
- Participates in marketing activities.
- Developing effective presentational and writing skills.
- Understands importance of cross selling opportunities to the firm and has the ability to implement.
People Management
- Developing an effective personal presence with partners and colleagues.
- Demonstrates ability to manage and supervise work effectively, and to seek or provide support when required.
- Delegates work effectively to appropriate fee earning and non-fee earning staff.
- Gives well prepared and presented training sessions.
- Supports diversity & inclusion and ESG initiatives within the team.
Personal Development and Knowledge Management
- Completes appropriate CPD hours.
- Maintains an adequate and up to date understanding of relevant law, policy and practice, and to identify where legal research is required.
- Takes responsibility for personal learning and development, evaluates strengths and limitations in relation to the demands of their work, and reflects on and learns from others.
- Undertakes personal study/research to address gaps in knowledge.
- Utilises internal/external knowledge resources and current awareness information, e.g. libraries, daily current awareness/plc newsletter etc.
- Contributes to firm's knowledge resources.
- Gives well prepared and presented training sessions with minimum guidance.
Ethics, Professionalism and Judgment
- Recognition of ethical issues and will raise with appropriate person.
- Demonstrates an understanding and application of the ethical concepts which govern their role and behaviour as a lawyer.
- Identifies the relevant LSS, SRA or LSI principles and rules of professional conduct, and seeks assistance in applying them.
- Resists pressure to condone, ignore or commit unethical behaviour.
- Respects diversity, and acts fairly and inclusively.
- Discloses when work is beyond their personal capability and recognises when they have made mistakes and takes appropriate action.
- Seeks expert advice when required, and makes effective use of feedback, guidance and support received.
Firm Contribution
- Assists in the development of team's operational goals.
- Displays an awareness of organisational goals and has an engaged commitment to team goals.
- Participates in extra practice events to assist development of firm.
HR Contact
If you would like further information on the role or require accommodations to make your application please contact Louise Hughes on louise.hughes@shepwedd.com.
At Shepherd and Wedderburn we strive to provide a supportive, inclusive and high performance working environment, where everyone feels they belong. Diversity and inclusion is at the heart of our business and we therefore welcome applicants from different backgrounds to all levels of the organisation. To foster inclusivity we particularly encourage applications from those who may be from underrepresented groups, including candidates from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBT+ people, people with disabilities or who are neurodivergent and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Solicitor in Edinburgh employer: Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP
Contact Detail:
Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Solicitor in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the legal field, especially those in property and construction. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the firm and its recent cases. Show that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your knowledge of their work in property litigation and contentious construction. Tailor your answers to reflect how your skills align with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your advocacy skills! Whether it’s mock interviews or presenting your thoughts on a case, honing your communication abilities will set you apart. Remember, they want someone who can clearly articulate legal concepts and engage with clients effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, get your application in and let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Solicitor in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Solicitor role. Highlight your experience in property litigation and contentious construction, as well as any relevant skills that match the job description.
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since exceptional communication is key, use clear and concise language in your application. Don’t forget to showcase your ability to convey complex legal concepts simply, as this will impress us!
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. This could be anything from resolving disputes to managing client relationships effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people and helps us keep track of all applicants easily.
How to prepare for a job interview at Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on property litigation and contentious construction topics. Familiarise yourself with the Electronic Communications Code (ECC) and recent case law. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a solicitor, clear communication is key. Practice articulating complex legal concepts in simple terms. During the interview, demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues, as this is crucial for building strong relationships.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenging legal issues in the past. Think about specific cases where you identified problems and proposed solutions. This will highlight your analytical skills and your ability to think on your feet.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how the firm supports professional development. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the firm is the right fit for you.
