Family Department Associate

The Firm

Payne Hicks Beach LLP is a 46 partner firm of solicitors based in offices at 10 New Square, Lincoln’s Inn.  In total the firm comprises about 200 staff.  The firm provides specialist legal services to private and commercial clients.  We are best known for our family and private client work and are widely regarded as one of the very best of the small number of firms in the UK who provide these specialist services at the highest level.  We also have an excellent reputation in many other areas of law (rated in both Chambers and Legal 500).

Our offices are located in one of the finest squares in London, in a building which the firm has occupied since 1770.

More information about the departments and the work of the firm may be found on our website, the address of which is www.phb.co.uk

The Family department

The Family Department currently consists of 9 Partners, 7 Senior Associates, 4 Associates, 2 Legal Directors  as well as other support staff and secretaries.

The Role

The Department is looking to recruit a 1 to 3 year PQE solicitor.

•  assist the practice in meeting its professional obligations and business viability within the changing needs of the organisation and the legal market.
• To provide a high level of legal advice and assistance to the clients of the firm in the fee earner’s area of specialism.
• To ensure that the advice given is accurate and comprehensive and that all advice provided is clearly recorded on the file.
• To respond to all client and third party communications promptly and to progress the matter to conclusion within a reasonable time scale.

Responsibilities

• To provide clear and comprehensive advice to clients and to progress their case smoothly to conclusion.
• To ensure that the conduct of client files is in accordance with all internal, professional conduct and accounts rules and obligations.
• Additionally, to provide support and assistance to colleagues by assisting with overflow work within the department and maintain support during the holidays and sick leave, primarily by agreement with colleagues and, if requested, by the partners.

Your key duties will include, but will not be limited to;

• To ensure that clients are provided with comprehensive advice.
• To attend upon clients.
• To confirm advice in correspondence.
• To promptly respond to client’s communications and promptly conduct all communications with solicitors instructed by other parties and with all other parties relating to the matter.
• To keep abreast of all legal developments in the fee earner’s sphere of practice and defer to expert third party advice, where appropriate, and particularly where the fee earner’s own knowledge is limited.
• To respond to all written telephone communications promptly.
• To actively progress the client’s matter promptly to conclusion.
• To draft all necessary documentation required to progress the client’s case and to proof read documents to achieve 100% accuracy.
• To uphold the highest standards of work and professional conduct.
• To ensure that paper and electronic files are up to date and accurate.
• To ensure that all client files, trial bundles and other documents are well organised and displayed, and comply with all internal and external procedures and requirements.
• To comply with all statutory requirements, where necessary.
• To prioritise work to meet deadlines agreed with the client or any other party involved with the matter.
• To ensure that all information used in managing the files and storing deeds and wills and any other documents relating to the case are accurately recorded.
• To maintain accurate billing records by recording time appropriately and to promptly and regularly bill clients for work conducted.
• To keep active watch on all WIP levels.
• To chase aged bills conscientiously.
• To meet time recording, billing and other performance targets.
• Diary Management
• To ensure that all requisite deadlines relating to the case are accurately recorded in the diary management system and, in particular, in the case of court matters, on the central diary system.
• Business Development
• To act as an ambassador/promoter of the firm.
• To take a proactive approach to building professional relationships with clients and other contacts.
• To treat clients and colleagues with respect and tact, bearing in mind individual needs, and ensuring confidentiality at all times.
• To present a smart appearance and wear attire suitable for a professional business environment.
• To maintain and promote the good image of the firm.
• To assist colleagues, Partners and Head of Department with marketing/training events and initiatives

The Individual 

• Will have strong academics
• Will have high quality training and experience
• Will be ambitious, technically strong, hard working, and a good team player.
• Will be confident and sociable as well as discrete when dealing directly with clients.

Personal skills

• Self motivated
• Strong communication skills
• Team player
• Ability to be proactive and reactive in addressing clients’ affairs and requirements
• Ability to help build upon the firm’s existing business
• Ability to get on well with the clients who cover a broad spectrum
• Achieve minimum time targets and billing requirements
• Ability to keep abreast with changes in legislation and market developments
• A practical working knowledge of IT