Solicitor

at  DMH Stallard

PQE:

NQ - 3
Term:

Permanent
Working hours:

Full-time (9.15 - 5.15)
Department:
Dispute Resolution Family
Location:

Guildford
The firm
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.
The department
Our Dispute Resolution Family Team handle all manner of family legal services covering family, child, relationship and separation cases including pre-nuptial agreements to divorce and financial disputes and settlements.

Job Purpose:

• We are looking for a newly qualified solicitor to join the London Dispute Resolution Family Group based in our Guildford office. DMH Stallard’s family law team has been recognised in the 2023 eprivateclient Top Family Law Firms rankings.
• We are ideally looking for an NQ-3PQE solicitor to take on a wide variety of work to support the continued development of the practice. You will work as an effective member of the Dispute Resolution (Family) group working along side Partners and Associates in the Group.
• The individual is expected to develop good working relationships with clients and other team members.
• To be responsible under supervision for own caseload of work and own fee targets.
• Achieve the targets as defined by the Group Head/Head of Department, including contribution, hours and fees.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Some previous experience of divorce; matrimonial finance disputes; pre-nuptial agreements; Children Act; matrimonial arbitration/mediation; cohabitation disputes etc.
• Knowledge of general family related legislation and relevant case law.
• Able to effectively manage their time to achieve client and internal deadlines.
• Understanding the importance of client care with an ability to deal with a wide range of clients with differing objectives including being able to understand pragmatic solutions for the client.
• 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 and case manager.
• Ability to draft documentation, with attention to detail.
• Understanding of the strategy and vision of the firm.
• Communicate effectively with clients, in writing, over the telephone and in meetings.
• Convey technical legal information in an effective and accessible way.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• To participate and contribute to the Dispute Resolution Family Group to ensure an effective working environment, supporting Associates and Partners on more complex matters as appropriate.
• Attend the internal training programme and other relevant technical training to ensure that skills and knowledge remain up-to-date.
• Continuously develop their own technical expertise.
• Maintain awareness of the legal market specifically relating to family law.
• Work as part of the Dispute Resolution (Family) Group dealing with, but not limited to divorce; financial disputes; matrimonial arbitration/mediation; pre-nuptial agreements; custody agreements; wills & trusts disputes etc.
• Any other legal work, as requested by the senior fee-earners in the group.
• To be responsible for ensuring achievement of own key financial targets, including fees, contribution and payment of debts and disbursements.
• Maintaining accurate data on case manager and the firm’s intranet. .
• 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.
• Scope all matters appropriately, including use of budget templates, delivering work on time and on budget and understand the necessity of streamlining and efficiency in delivery a cost effective service to clients on lower value matters.
• 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 with marketing and business development initiatives such as writing for e-newsletters or attending seminars.
  Other information

Job Purpose:

• We are looking for a newly qualified solicitor to join the London Dispute Resolution Family Group based in our Guildford office. DMH Stallard’s family law team has been recognised in the 2023 eprivateclient Top Family Law Firms rankings.
• We are ideally looking for an NQ-3PQE solicitor to take on a wide variety of work to support the continued development of the practice. You will work as an effective member of the Dispute Resolution (Family) group working along side Partners and Associates in the Group.
• The individual is expected to develop good working relationships with clients and other team members.
• To be responsible under supervision for own caseload of work and own fee targets.
• Achieve the targets as defined by the Group Head/Head of Department, including contribution, hours and fees