Associate

DMH Stallard is an award winning South East law, Legal 100 firm with offices in London, Brighton, Gatwick, Guilford, Horsham and Hassocks. DMH Stallard has grown rapidly since it was established in 1970, and has a headcount of approx 380. Our firm provides a comprehensive range of commercial, dispute resolution and litigation, employment, cyber security and cyber-crime, corporate, intellectual property, real estate and technology, media and telecoms advice to both businesses and individuals. Our clients, our people and our professional networks are the keys to our success.

Our Dispute Resolution Family Team handle all manner of family legal services covering family, child, relationship and separation cases including pre-nuptial agreements to divorce and financial disputes and settlements.

Job Purpose:

• We are looking for a 4-8PQE Associate to operate as an effective member of the Family team working alongside other fee earners in the Group. The role is based in the London office.
• The individual is expected to develop good working relationships with clients, referrers and other team members. An empathy with people in difficult situations and an understanding of their needs is essential, as is the ability to manage their expectations.
• To be responsible under supervision for own caseload of work and own fee targets.
• To assist senior members of the team on their caseload and support the Partners in particular in delivering high levels of service delivery.
• Achieve the targets as defined by the Group Head, including contribution, hours and fees.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• To participate and contribute to the Family team to ensure an effective working environment, supporting other Senior Associates and Partners on more complex matters as appropriate
• Attend the internal training programme and other relevant technical training to ensure that skills and knowledge remain up-to-date.
• To attend and contribute to team meetings.
• Continuously develop their own technical expertise.
• Maintain awareness of the relevant legal markets specifically relating to Family work.
• To promote the vision and culture of the Firm.
• To maintain a culture where individuals are encouraged to identify problems or mistakes and are encouraged to “speak up” to ensure issues are resolved.
• Work as part of the Family team dealing with, but not limited to national and international matters: divorce; financial disputes; matrimonial arbitration/mediation; pre-nuptial agreements; child arrangement agreements; child abduction etc. 
• Any other legal work, as requested by the senior fee-earners in the group.
• To be responsible for ensuring achievement of own key financial targets, including fees, contribution and payment of debts and disbursements.
• Maintaining accurate data on case manager and the firm’s intranet.
• To monitor own performance in relation to the number of live files, file closures, file openings, billing, time recording and to take appropriate action to ensure targets are met.
• Scope all matters appropriately, including use of budget templates, delivering work on time and on budget and understand the necessity of streamlining and efficiency in delivering a cost effective service to clients on all matters.
• To be responsible for the delivery of the service to the client, ensuring that the highest standards of client care are maintained so that clients use DMHS again and recommend the firm to others.
• To assist with marketing and business development initiatives such as writing for e-newsletters and/or attending seminars.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:

• Previous experience of divorce; matrimonial finance disputes; pre-nuptial agreements; Children Act; matrimonial arbitration/mediation; cohabitation disputes etc.
• Knowledge of general family related legislation and relevant case law.
• Able to effectively manage their time to achieve client and internal deadlines.
• Understanding the importance of client care with an ability to deal with a wide range of clients with differing objectives including being able to understand and recommend pragmatic solutions for the client.
• Able to work within a team and provide support to other Senior Associates and Partners as appropriate.
• Confident Excel skills sufficient to enable the reviewing of relevant matters.
• Competent IT skills including Outlook, Word, Digital Dictation and Axxia.
• Ability to draft documentation, with attention to detail.
• Understanding of the strategy and vision of the firm.
• Communicate effectively with clients, in writing, over the telephone and in meetings.
• Convey technical legal information in an effective and accessible way.

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday (of which 3.5 are taken during the Christmas period), plus Birthday holiday, plus Bank Holidays.
• Life Assurance
• Private Healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Sodexo Discounts
• Pension Scheme
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on Legal work