Professional Indemnity (Construction Focus) Associate

Overview

We are looking to recruit an Associate of 3 years PQE plus, to support the Specialty team in Liverpool. The team is highly regarded for its expertise, the quality of its work and an eye-catching client list. Members of the team regularly deal with complex and high value litigation at the cutting edge of the professions they represent. The atmosphere is friendly and supportive with a history of mentoring and promotion at all levels of candidates who flourish as part of a team and relish the opportunity to make a difference. The applicant will be developing a real specialism in professional indemnity work and defending claims against construction professionals, with good experience in such matters. The Specialty team undertakes a broad range of substantial, challenging, largely contentious work, including defending claims against a wide variety of professional service providers (including architects, engineers and financial advisors); insurance policy coverage; insurance and reinsurance disputes; and claims relating to construction, property damage and aviation.

Responsibilities

• Assisting and supporting the partners and principal associates with their caseloads
• Proactive management of your own cases
• Working as part of a team on large, complex, high value matters
• Preparing detailed and technical reports, correspondence and court documents
• Delegating to solicitors and trainees, supporting with their development
• Advising clients in relation to issues of liability and coverage
• Liaising with insurer and insured clients, experts, witnesses, counsel and other parties
• Ensuring compliance with client service level agreements, relevant policies and procedures
• Supporting and contributing to business development initiatives
• Completion of management information
• Helping to supervise trainees, paralegals and apprentices
• Assisting with other work allocated by the Team Manager
• Working in accordance with Weightmans\’ values
• This list is indicative of the types of activities which the successful candidate will be involved in.

Qualifications

• 3 years PQE plus (or equivalent)
• Developing expertise in Professional Indemnity, particularly construction matters and architect claims, with experience in these areas
• Experience of insurance litigation and policy coverage analysis
• Experience of professional risk claims relating to construction claims
• Experience of other professional risk claims is desirable
• Understanding of commercial insurance policies, the insurance market, reporting arrangements, reserving philosophies, and the relationship between brokers, underwriters/insurers and lawyers is essential
• Previous secondment to or employment with an insurance organisation would be advantageous
• Ability to work to deadlines/targets, to prioritise and manage a caseload and to work under pressure to deliver effective solutions
• Ability to work well as part of a team and on your own initiative
• A commercial, solution-driven and client-focused approach
• Strong legal and analytical skills and an eye for detail
• Excellent organisation and time-management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a positive attitude
• Excellent IT skills
• Excellent teamwork skills

Benefits

• There are a number of benefits including:
• 28 days\’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rated for part time)
• Hybrid working including provision of home office equipment
• Healthcare cover/ Medicash
• Pension plan Life Insurance 4 x salary
• Interest free travel loan scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme including counselling, legal and consumer advice service
• Discounted gym membership and discounted dental scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Offers & discounts and a great reward and recognition scheme
• Note: there are a small number of roles that cannot be performed from home; your Recruitment Adviser can confirm.