KEY SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Previous experience managing a team and working to key performance indicators (chargeables, billing, etc)
• Extensive experience in handling a Prison Law/some Criminal Defence caseload
• Working knowledge of the publically funded Prison Law/ Crime work and have the ability to service privately funded cases
• 5 Years+ PQE
• Police Station Accredited is an advantage
• Must have a clean, valid Practicing Certificate at the time of applying
• Professional with a proactive approach; excellent client care skills and ability to deal with client matters in a sensitive manner and resolve complicated practicalities
• Be flexible and available to work out of hours as and when required
• Working to tight deadlines is a requirement of the role
• Excellent networking and communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Company and generate new business
• Excellent analytical and organisational skills
• Ability to use own initiative and sound judgment
• Excellent IT Skills - familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills
• Willingness to travel to different locations and attend prisons as required

THE ROLE:

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is seeking an experienced Prison Law Director (Solicitor) to join its Prison Law department.
The Prison Law department provides a unique service to clients ensuring assistance continues from imprisonment stage addressing issues such as appeals against conviction and/or sentence, Proceeds of Crime, advice regarding categorisation and difficulties experienced during custody.
The successful candidate must have experience of managing a team and will conduct supervised casework and also support other lawyers in the department. In addition, the successful candidate will also assist with an outsourcing project and review processes and procedures in place.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE:

• Responsible for all aspects of Prison Law and some Crime work and on occasions, where appropriate providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members
• Varied workload and duties including: attending clients to take instructions; providing representation at police stations/ prisons/ other detention institutions throughout the area both in and out of office hours; file management; progressing cases; advocacy at parole hearings/adjudications; taking client instructions and attending meetings
• Report directly to and collaborating with the Board to ensure performance targets are met
• Supervising a team of solicitors, trainee solicitors and paralegals
• Undertaking probation reviews for new staff and conducting monthly file reviews ensuring that follow up actions are dealt with promptly
• Ability to manage appropriate caseload types and complexities
• Dealing with correspondence
• Maintaining accurate time costing procedures
• Ensuring compliance with file management
• You will have a professional proactive approach, strong client care skills and be interested in Business Development and Marketing to supplement the substantial work volumes brought in by the company