Solicitor / Senior Associate

Wilkin Chapman Solicitors

Jun 27, 2024

Applications are closed

Job
Full-time
Mid & Senior Level
Legal
Lincoln

Requirements

4 years + PQE
Excellent teamworking and technical ability
Possession of the STEP Qualification or working towards it or an ability to demonstrate technical skills and experience equivalent to the STEP qualification and a willingness to undertake the qualification.
Strong organisational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage deadlines and competing priorities with a positive and proactive approach to tasks.
Good “hands on” private client experience in Wills, Trusts, Lasting Power of Attorney and Trust and Estate Administration.
Excellent client facing skills and the ability to nurture existing clients and third-party relationships as well as the ability to help develop new business and assist in networking events.
Ability to adopt a practical as well as legal approach to client issues.
Excellent IT skills
Understand and adopt the Firm’s values and behaviours.

Responsibilities

Running your own caseload to include drafting of Wills, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney and dealing with Trust and Estate Administration, including complex cases for High-Net-Worth business and agricultural clients.
Recognising fee-earning opportunities and develop as appropriate, particularly cross-referring work and clients within the firm and working closely with our Real Estate and Commercial teams.
Drafting and reviewing legal documents with precision and attention to detail
Willing to participate in the growth and future development on the department, assisting in the build-up of the client database and marketing the firm’s services through business development and networking activities within and outside of normal office hours.
To maintain existing relations with the firm’s clients and assist and help develop new relationships with third party referrers.
Regularly update clients as to the current progress of their case.
Mentoring and support of more junior colleagues in the team and working collaboratively.
Completing time recording and other management records required by the firm.
Ensuring compliance is adhered to in all activities including Lexcel compliance.
Financial control of your own matters with particular regard to cash flow through collection of monies on account and billing procedures.
Conduct all matters in the client's best interest and in accordance with the highest professional standards and applicable "quality" standards at all times.
Maintain files in a neat and orderly manner and ensure that each file is reviewed and recorded as having been reviewed against the computer printout supplied by the Accounts Department every month.
Achieve financial targets agreed with the Department Head or Branch Partner.
Deal with routine and difficult enquiries from telephone callers and clients effectively and efficiently and ensure that all client complaints are dealt with both professionally and promptly to the complete satisfaction of the client.
Maintain time recording on client matters and non-matter activities on a daily basis.
Ensure quality of work produced by ‘support staff' is to the highest standard.
Understand the obligations relating to client accounts and ensure the preparation and service of bills comply with the Solicitors Accounts Rules.
Keep up to date with case law/good practice guidance and apply as appropriate.
Ensure compliance with Law Society Training Regulations.
Work in a responsible and safe manner at all times adhering to Health & Safety, safe working practices and firm policies and procedures.
Such other reasonable duties as and when required by your Line Manager.
The above list of duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope of the role.

FAQs

What qualifications are required for this role?

You will need at least 4 years PQE, possession of the STEP Qualification or working towards it, or an ability to demonstrate technical skills and experience equivalent to the STEP qualification.

What are the main responsibilities of this role?

The main responsibilities include running your own caseload, drafting legal documents, developing client relationships, mentoring junior colleagues, financial control of matters, ensuring compliance, and maintaining high professional standards.

What kind of experience is required for this role?

You should have good private client experience in Wills, Trusts, Lasting Power of Attorney, and Trust and Estate Administration. Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and excellent client-facing skills are also important.

What benefits does the company offer?

Wilkin Chapman offers a great package of benefits, a supportive working environment, and opportunities for career development. They prioritize diversity and inclusion, providing a values-led culture where every individual is supported and valued.

What is the company culture like at Wilkin Chapman?

Wilkin Chapman values happy, motivated employees and fosters a strong, forward-looking culture. They provide the tools and support for success, encourage diversity, and create a fully inclusive environment where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.

Wilkin Chapman Solicitors

We’re the leading private and commercial law firm in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire.

Law

Industry

201-500

Employees

1900

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

Recommended by the UK’s leading legal directories, including The Legal 500 and Chambers UK, Wilkin Chapman is one of the largest law firms in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire. We have over 420 partners and staff located across a network of offices in Grimsby, Lincoln, Beverley, and Louth providing a unique balance of trusted legal and insolvency advice to private and commercial clients based locally, nationally, and internationally. Wilkin Chapman’s strength in key sectors including agriculture, food, energy & renewables, tourism & leisure, local government, military, and education is supported by its expertise in employment, corporate and commercial, and real estate as well as all aspects of private client work. The firm adopts a holistic approach to providing professional legal services, but always with the client at its very heart. Distinguished by our outstanding service, innovation, and commitment to achieving results, we’re proud to achieve and maintain quality standards such as Lexcel, The Law Society's accreditation standard, and the ISO9001:2008 certification in our recoveries department. We’re recognised as amongst the best there is in the UK in 16 specialist areas in the Legal 500 2023 and have 15 practice area and solicitor recommendations in the Chambers UK 2023 guide. We've also earned the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the highest honour from the Armed Forces Covenant, and we are also the NFU's Legal Panel Member for Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire. As a firm, we believe in supporting the communities in which we operate, and our colleagues regularly engage in volunteering and fundraising for local charities, organisations, and schools.