Senior Immigration Solicitor and Supervisor - Belfast

The Senior Immigration Solicitor and Supervisor will be responsible for dealing with delegated work within their own areas of competence and achieving performance targets as set by the practice. The Senior Immigration Solicitor and Supervisor will provide expert legal support and advice to clients. He/she will also be responsible for offering support to other Heads of Departments and/or Directors, managing their own caseload, and dealing with clients. Furthermore, he/she will be expected to train and mentor more junior staff members and positively promote quality of service to clients, raising the quality level and creating new business for the Practice whenever possible.

Purpose/Main Objectives:

• To support all Practice decisions, carrying out any actions required.
• To provide any support required by Heads of Departments and/or Directors.
• To act on behalf of Heads of Departments as required.
• To be alert when acting for clients of other legal services they may require and to refer clients to other departments within the firm when it is appropriate.

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Deal with delegated cases as required, reporting progress to the Head of Department; act on behalf of clients in disputes and represent them in court.
• Deal with all aspects of immigration litigation, review all files, work on all aspects of the cases.
• Prepare for hearings, appeal hearings, judicial review hearings, prepare all aspects of cases, issue proceedings, and all aspects of the trial (if applicable).
• Liaise with clients and other professionals such as barristers in a prompt and professional manner; coordinate the work of all parties involved; instruct barristers or specialist advocates to appear in court for the client in complex disputes.
• Advise and negotiate with clients and other professionals to secure agreed objectives.
• Research and analyse documents and case law to ensure the accuracy of advice and procedure.
• Always act in a trustworthy and confidential manner; have integrity and sensitivity.
• Ensure quality of service levels are to standard.
• Follow internal methods, policies, and procedures as set by the Office Manual.
• Remain informed of changes in any area of specialisation, such that service quality is always maintained. Carry out file reviews as appropriate.
• Preparing Briefs to Counsel; dealing with correspondence, adhere to accurate and comprehensive file management and maintenance practices of caseload according to company policy and procedures.
• Maintenance of diaries & time recording.
• Work as part of a team and give concise and reasonable instructions.
• Conduct legal research and gathering of relevant information on a case.
• Draft legal documents, prepare applications, application for administrative reviews.
• Taking statements from witnesses and other parties; interviewing clients and passing on relevant information.
• Carry out other types of administrative duties such as billing, invoicing, time recording, compile litigation bundles, dealing with correspondence, collect and organise evidence; calculate claims for damages, compensation, maintenance.
• Network with clients and build valuable relationships in a way that enhances the company’s reputation and cultivate new business opportunities.
• Assist during trial by taking notes, preparing exhibits, preparing files, and reading court transcripts.
• Responsible for reporting progress to the Head of Department.
• Use the company’s case management system.
• Any other ad hoc duties as directed by the Head of Department or Directors.
• Agreed on a provisional one day per week supervision for the Immigration department. This may need to be increased in January 2023.
• Visit the Belfast office once per month and conduct file reviews for each FE in the department each month (one per FE per month).

Relationships:

• Internal: Supportive to the Directors, Heads of Department, and colleagues.
• External: Promoting the Practice wherever possible through PR and quality of service.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Qualified Solicitor.
• Previous experience of dealing with relevant department cases.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise, and understand the importance of deadlines.
• Highly organised; able to be productive, flexible and simultaneously manage multiple cases and priorities in a performance-driven environment.
• Superior research skills and data maintenance skills.
• Strong client relationship skills; the ability to establish positive, cooperative and professional relationships, both internal and external.
• Be highly trustworthy, discreet, and use good judgement.
• Able to work well under pressure, without sacrificing a high attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication are essential.
• Good commercial awareness and analytical skills.
• Self-starter and the ability to work autonomously; proactive and eager to learn.
• Self-awareness and a commitment to using feedback to learn and develop as a professional.
• Ability to read, digest and process vast amounts of information into data that can be used in a legal case.
• Computer literacy.