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 320. 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. |
Job Purpose
- To operate as an effective member of the Guildford Real Estate team, working on a variety of commercial property transactions.
- Achieve the targets defined by the Group Head/Head of Department, including contribution, hours and fees.
- To be responsible under supervision for own caseload of work and own fee targets.
- The role is within a commercial property team and there will be exposure to a wide range of commercial property matters albeit with a focus on landlord and tenant work, sales and purchases. Experience should include freehold and leasehold acquisitions and disposals and property investment portfolio management for predominantly office premises. The team acts for landlords, tenants and investors. The team regularly supports the corporate department in the property aspects of corporate restructuring and mergers and acquisitions. The team is active in the supported living sector, acting for investors and developers.
Responsibilities and Duties
Personal
- Attend the firm’s training programme and other relevant technical training to ensure that skills and knowledge remain up-to-date and continuously develop own technical expertise.
- 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.
- Annually participate in AROM/objective meetings.
Legal
- Be responsible for, and actively manage, own case load of commercial property work, ensuring that client matters are progressed in an effective way, time limits are met, files are kept in good order and the firm’s systems and procedures are implemented and followed. Have responsibility for ensuring that you provide support to all members of the team and, as appropriate, the wider department in dealing with fee-earning, business development and administration.
- To deliver an excellent and efficient service to clients tailored to their particular business needs in such a way as to find acceptable commercial solutions for any legal issues arising in any given transaction.
Financial
- To be responsible for ensuring achievement of own key financial targets, including fees, contribution and payment of debts and disbursements.
- 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.
- Maintain accurate information on the case management system and the firm’s intranet system.
Business Development
- You must show an interest in the market in which property lawyers operate, the various charging models which can be applied and the competitive challenges which property lawyers face.
- Attend seminars and other events as required for business development purposes, presenting seminars or webinars when appropriate.
- Maintain awareness of the legal market specifically relating to property.
- Contribute to business development initiatives by gathering marketing information on clients and prospects, supporting seminars and webinars, writing articles, helping gather information for pitches and reading appropriate trade papers.
Risk
- Conforming to the risk management procedures stated by the firm.
- To be fully familiar with the money laundering and FSMA policies and procedures and to ensure full compliance with them.
- To contribute to discussions about improvements in the way the work is carried out to maximise profitability and reduce waste.
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Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required
Legal
- Solid experience of commercial property work is essential together with good drafting skills.
- Knowledge of relevant property legislation and relevant case law.
- A commercial and pragmatic approach to advice and negotiations is highly important.
- Previous experience of working closely with clients and acting as their legal advisor.
Business Development and Client Care
- 1A willingness to contribute to business development with a focus on developing our links with local agents, our internal network and our contacts across the country.
- Understanding the importance of client care with an ability to deal with a wide range of clients with differing objectives and an ability to understand the commercial objectives of the client.
Personal
- Able to manage their time effectively to achieve client and internal deadlines.
- Able to work within a team and support Partners as appropriate.
- Competent IT skills including Outlook, Word and case management software.
- Ability to draft documentation (including leases and all documents supplemental to leases), with an attention to detail.
- Convey technical legal information in an effective and accessible way.
- Understanding of the strategy and vision of the firm.
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