Job title:                    Court of Protection Lawyer (Grade A Solicitor)

Reporting:                  Reports to the Deputy Head / Head of Department

Overall purpose:       To provide first rate legal advice and service to our clients according to their specific needs, ensuring full compliance with policies and procedures laid out by the Firm and by regulatory bodies. To act as an ambassador for the Firm at all times, actively promoting its services and leading a team with effective supervision and management on high value / complex matters.

 Key accountabilities:

• To provide first rate legal advice to clients;
• To charge the rate defined by the Management Board / Head of Department for services;
• To be an experienced Court of Protection practitioner with at least 8 years PQE and able to deal with a wide range of complex matters, particularly high value settlement matters and dealing with complex clients or legal matters.
• To be experienced in or have a desire to become proficient in expert witness work for the purposes of drafting expert witness statements for litigation/claimant solicitors for professional deputyship costs.
• To aspire to become a Director in the Jackson Lees Trust Corporation Limited embracing the signing and best interests decision making responsibilities that come with such an exciting and fulfilling role (subject to meeting the policy requirements in that regard)
• To set an example by ensuring personal targets are met regularly as well as supporting the team to do the same;
• To ensure that the firm’s policies and procedures and those laid out by regulatory bodies such as the Law Society and CILEX are complied with fully at all times;
• To actively promote the firm and all its service in order to attract new business particularly by branding of self/business on social media;
• To nurture relationships with existing clients and referrers in order to maintain and develop work;
• To contribute towards the effective management of risk by carrying out regular risk assessments on all matters, efficient file management and by providing excellent client care;
• To actively participate in departmental meetings, suggesting improvements to our services where appropriate;
• To work with the Head of Department in the development and delivery of departmental strategy;
• To be active in the recruitment, induction and onboarding of the best people for our team;
• To ensure that all work undertaken is appropriate to workload and level of knowledge and experience, systematically informing the Head of Department or a principal of any concerns and referring work which can be carried out more effectively or efficiently by another fee earner;
• To supervise less experienced members of the firm and/or secretarial staff;
• To actively assist other members of the department where appropriate, notably in providing cover for holidays etc.
• To ensure that continuing competence training requirements are fulfilled;
• To endeavour to improve knowledge and skills where appropriate;
• To keep accurate and up to date records of time, money, bills etc.
• To issue and collect bills in accordance with the Firm’s billing and credit control policies;
• To avoid write offs as far as possible and to disclose them immediately if they are necessary
• To disclose any claims and complaints or potential complaints promptly.

SKILLS:

• Minimum 8 years PQE (Preferably COP but not essential)
• Legal skills
• Good communication skills
• Good people management skills
• Time management
• Marketing and commercial awareness
• Trustworthiness

What’s in it for you:

• Competitive salary
• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Referral bonus
• Paycare
• Pension plan
• Death in service
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Hybrid / working from home including provision of home office equipment
• Unlimited access to training academy courses

Jackson Lees Group is committed to fostering an accepting and inclusive environment for our people and clients. We know that Making A Positive Difference through the practice of law can be achieved best when we celebrate diversity of all kinds.

We actively encourage those from underrepresented groups and diverse backgrounds to apply for this role, including people from minority ethnicity backgrounds, religious backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, disabled people, people from different social backgrounds and of different ages.