Senior Solicitor - Professional Indemnity in Newcastle upon Tyne

We are looking to recruit a Senior Solicitor of 5 years PQE plus, to support the Speciality team. 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 specialise in professional indemnity work and have experience in defending claims against construction professionals or solicitors. The Specialty team undertakes a broad range of substantial, challenging, largely contentious work. This includes:

• Defending claims against a wide variety of professional service providers (including architects, engineers and financial advisors);
• Insurance policy coverage;
• Insurance and reinsurance disputes;
• Claims relating to construction and property damage.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Proactive management of your own caseload with limited supervision required.
• Working as part of a team on large, complex, high value matters.
• Assisting the partners with their caseloads.
• Preparing detailed and technical reports, correspondence and court documents.
• Delegating to junior solicitors and 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 having autonomy to contribute to and develop business development initiatives.
• Completion of management information.
• Delegating to and developing/supervising trainees and paralegals.
• Assisting with other work allocated by the Team Manager.
• Working in accordance with Weightmans’ values.

About You:

You will have previous experience and a genuine and demonstrable interest in the above area of work. We also require you to have/be:

• 5 years PQE plus (or equivalent).
• Well established expertise in Professional Indemnity, particularly construction matters and architect claims or claims against solicitors.
• Experience of insurance litigation and policy coverage analysis is essential.
• Experience of professional risk claims relating and reserving is essential.
• 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.
• Ability to work well as part of a team and on your own initiative.
• A commercial, solution-driven and client-focused approach, with the ability to strategise.
• Strong legal and analytical skills and an eye for detail.
• Good organisation and time-management skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with a positive attitude.
• Good IT skills and teamwork skills.

Why work for us:

Come and join our award-winning organisation and be part of a team where people truly matter. Weightmans is a leading national law firm, with strong international capabilities. Weightmans has been recognised as a leading employer for the 19th consecutive year at Britain’s Top Employers awards, and ranking top 10 in the list. Join Weightmans as we continue our journey to becoming one of the UK’s top 30 law firms.