Solicitor / Legal Executive

at  DMH Stallard

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Solid experience of commercial real estate work is essential together with good drafting skills.
• Knowledge of relevant property legislation and relevant case law.
• A commercial and pragmatic approach to advice and negotiations is highly important.
• Previous experience of working closely with clients and acting as their legal advisor
• A willingness to contribute to business development is essential.
• 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 the commercial objectives of the client
• Able to effectively manage their time to achieve client and internal deadlines
• Able to work within a team and support Partners and other fee earners as appropriate
• Competent IT skills including Outlook, Word, Digital Dictation and Case Management software
• Ability to draft documentation, with attention to detail
• Convey technical legal information in an effective and accessible way
• Understanding of the strategy and vision of the firm.

JOB PURPOSE:

To operate as an effective member of the Real Estate Gatwick team, working on a variety of commercial real estate, residential investment and secured lending transactions.
To support the other real estate groups within the wider Real Estate Department, whether at the Gatwick office or other offices, as necessary.
Achieve the targets as defined by the Group Head/Head of Department, including contribution, hours and fees.
To be responsible under supervision for own caseload of work and own fee targets.
The role is within a commercial real estate team and there will be exposure to a wide range of commercial real estate matters (including residential investment work) with a focus on secured lending transactions on behalf of lenders (where the firm is appointed to their panel). Other commercial property experience will be required to include freehold and leasehold acquisitions, disposals, property investment portfolio management for retail/ industrial units/office premises. The team acts for lenders, landlords, tenants and “non-profit” charity organisations.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Attend the firm’s training programme and other relevant technical training to ensure that skills and knowledge remain up-to-date and continuously develop own technical expertise
• To maintain a culture where individuals are encouraged to identify problems or mistakes and are encouraged to “speak up” to ensure issues are resolved
• Participate in the regular group meeting program
• Be responsible for and actively manage own case load of commercial real estate work ensuring that client matters are progressed in an effective way, time limits are met, files are kept in good order and the firm’s systems and procedures are implemented and followed
• Have responsibility for ensuring that you provide support to all members of the team and as appropriate the wider Department in dealing with fee-earning, business development and administration
• To deliver an excellent and efficient service to clients tailored to their particular business needs in such a way as to find acceptable commercial solutions for any legal issues arising in any given transaction
• To be responsible for ensuring achievement of own key financial targets, including fees, contribution and payment of debts and disbursements
• 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
• Maintain accurate information on the case management system and the firm’s intranet system
• You must show an interest in the market in which property lawyers operate, the various charging models which can be applied, and the competitive challenges which property lawyers face
• Attend seminars and other events as required for business development purposes, presenting when appropriate
• Maintain awareness of the legal market specifically relating to property
• Contribute to Business Development initiatives by gathering marketing information on clients and prospects, supporting seminars, writing articles, helping gather information for pitches and reading appropriate trade papers
  Other information