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. |
Job Purpose:
- To operate as an effective member of the Family and Wills Trusts and Estate Disputes teams sitting in the Dispute Resolution Group based predominantly in either the Brighton, Guildford or Horsham office but may have to travel to other offices on occasion.
- Provide legal & administrative support to fee-earners within the Sussex Family Team and the Surrey and Sussex Wills Trusts and Estate Disputes Team.
- To achieve the targets as defined by the Group Head/Head of Department, including contribution and hours
- To work with and assist members of the Family and the Wills Trusts and Estate Dispute Teams in the day-to-day running of cases
- To assist the admin team with taking detail and instructions from potential new clients and working with more senior fee earners to arrange appointments.
Responsibilities and duties:
- To participate and contribute to the Family Team, the Wills Trust and Estate Disputes Team and the Dispute Resolution group to ensure an effective working environment, supporting Associates and Partners on more complex matters as appropriate
- Attend relevant technical training to ensure that skills and knowledge remain up-to-date
- To attend and contribute to group meetings
- Continuously develop their own technical expertise
- Maintain awareness of the legal market specifically relating to family work, wills trusts and estate disputes and litigation.
- Taking calls from new clients and arranging for them to meet with a more senior fee earner for initial consultations.
- Work as part of the Dispute Resolution (Family/Wills Trusts and Estate Disputes) Group dealing with, but not limited to divorce; matrimonial arbitration/mediation; pre-nuptial agreements; custody agreements; wills & trusts disputes etc.
- Drafting documents, reports & correspondence as dictated by Associates & Partners
- Attend meetings as requested by Associates & Partners with subsequent drafting of minutes
- Attend court as requested by Associates & Partners and associated support work as required
- Maintaining accurate data on the case management software
- To monitor own performance in relation to file closures, file openings, time recording and to take appropriate action to ensure targets are met
- 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 in the monthly generation of bills;
- Administrative support to the Surrey and Sussex teams in general to include some audio typing, filing and secretarial duties.
- To assist with marketing and business development initiatives such as writing for e-newsletters website, social media or attending seminars
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Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:
- Some previous experience of litigation and/or Family/Wills Trusts and Estate disputes work would be an advantage (or a demonstrable ability to do so)
- Some knowledge of Civil Procedure Rules and the Family Procedure Rules
- Some knowledge of general family and estate disputes related legislation and relevant case law
- Able to effectively manage their time to achieve client and internal deadlines
- An understanding of the importance of client care and ability to communicate effectively with clients, in writing, over the telephone and in meetings
- Able to work within a team and provide support to Associates and Partners as appropriate
- Confident Excel skills sufficient to enable the reviewing of relevant matters
- Competent IT skills including Outlook, Word, Digital Dictation
- Ability to communicate well orally and in writing, including dealing directly with clients when required
- Strong standard of written English, grammar, punctuation and spelling with the ability to produce high quality written work with minimal corrections.
- Ability to draft documentation and minutes, with attention to detail
- Understanding of the strategy and vision of the firm
- Convey technical legal information when necessary in an effective and accessible way
- Strong team working ethic; Effective administrative skills; organisation skills; Flexibility.
- Ability to work well under pressure and be proactive.
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
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