Watkins Solicitors is an award winning and busy solicitors firm specialising in Family Law, Education Law, Wills and Probate Law, Conveyancing, and Judicial Review. Currently we have four offices situated in North Bristol, South Bristol, Bath and Hereford. We also see clients by appointment in Evesham. The firm has a Legal Aid franchise and carries out work under Legal Aid contracts for family law, Education Law and Public Law (including, judicial review). The firm also acts for clients on a privately paying basis.
Watkins Solicitors has an outstanding reputation as a good employer. We offer excellent employee benefits, a great working culture and exciting career opportunities. We are a friendly, sociable, and respected company with a firm belief in supporting our staff. We support remote, agile, and flexible working opportunities.
In line with the firm’s culture, it is our aim to nurture and grow talent in-house and the successful candidate will be supported in their development and progression.

THE ROLE

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced solicitor to head our Public Law department, playing a key role in its growth and success.
You will be an ambitious solicitor with experience in Judicial Review. You will be leading a small, established, and busy department that is looking to expand. We will consider applicants who wish to work remotely.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

· Growing the department and gaining new business
· Meeting agreed targets
· Responsible for all aspects of Public Law work including providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members
· Ability to manage and supervise, Trainee Solicitors and Paralegals to manage appropriate caseload types and complexities
· Assisting with delivery of appropriate training and development in the department and in the firm
· Variety of duties including dealing with a range of Public Law work including judicial review, statutory appeals, challenges in the Upper Tribunal
· Liaising with clients and counsel
· Preparing and managing funding applications to the Legal Aid Agency and amendments to certificates
· Preparing draft documents including witness statements and processing evidence
· Marshalling/organising documents appropriately for subsequent use in litigation
· Preparation of bundles for issuing proceedings, for interim and final hearings (including e-bundles and hard copy bundles)
· Conducting judicial review pre-action protocol
· Preparing, issuing and serving judicial review claims, and conducting claims to conclusion
· Attending conferences and court (whether virtual or in person), with court hearings being held at any of the Administrative Court regional centres