Assistant to Lead Lawyer - Keoghs LLP : Job Details

This role offers an excellent opportunity to work with a Lead Lawyer in our Casualty Team dealing with a variety of our more complex and high value cases. In this role you will competently manage a caseload of EL/PL cases on behalf of a number of insurance clients.In addition, you will assist the Lead Lawyer with more complex, high value multi-track cases. Experience of casualty claims is preferred and excellent attention to detail essential. Your work will be supervised and feedback given. The role also includes the need to engage with senior claims handlers in long-standing insurance clients.  In this role you may also be required to assist the Lead Lawyer in activities which enhance and develop Keoghs’ profile.

You will work as part of a team progressing each file from receipt of papers from the insurer client to resolution of the claim. The role will include:

• Working with the Lead Lawyer to manage a caseload of complex injury claims including high value multi-track claims. 
• Communicating with insurer clients, dealing with their queries and updating them as the matter progresses. 
• Forensic analysis of voluminous quantum evidence, preparing chronologies, identifying anomalies and other relevant information across various sources and categories of evidence.
• Using your existing knowledge personal  injury to identify relevant issues within medical records in order to instruct medical experts, drawing key issues to their attention. 
• Critical analysis of sources of liability evidence and identifying any gaps. 
• Drafting concise technical advice on all aspects of claim handling to include advice on indemnity, liability, quantum and causation issues and claims resolution for strategy discussion with the Partner.
• Proactively identifying next steps required on matter, discussing those aspects with the Partner and taking action as agreed. 
• Interviewing witnesses and drafting statements. 
• Liaising with parties involved in claims including the insured, insurer, witnesses etc.
• Drafting pleadings and applications. 
• Instructing counsel.
• Delivery of agreed performance targets and quality standards.
• Delegate assigned tasks for a Paralegal and be fully engaged in their development in terms of technical ability and achievement of objectives.
• Maintaining case managements systems with up to date management information for clients. 
• To ensure compliance with the SRA Standards & Regulations

Working Hours  35 hours per week, Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch. Primary location for this role is Parklands, Bolton Office

• Experience of liability and quantum essential.
• Experience of personal injury in casualty claims preferred. 
• Critical thinking and quantum analysis experience required.
• Good telephone advocacy skills.
• Positive, confident and enthusiastic. 
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills including the ability to compose professional written communications. 
• Good advocacy skills. 
• Excellent inter-personal and client care skills. 
• Understanding of case law and litigation practice and process, and Court Practice Rules.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads, keep to deadlines and work under pressure.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to weigh facts, apply the law and make decisions.
• Ability to anticipate problems and identify solutions. 
• Driven to achieve to take development opportunities when they arise with a positive attitude.
• Calm under pressure with the ability to re-prioritise and delegate effectively when required.
• Confidence to take initiative to innovate and adapt to changing situations.
• Confidence to seek advice and guidance when dealing with new tasks.
• Ability to follow instruction and with attention to detail and to give clear instruction, direction and guidance to more junior members of the team.
• Ability to recognise when sensitivity and tact are required.
• Ability to effectively work within a team.
• Proficient IT skills (Word, Excel and Office).
• Good standard of education – 5 GCSE’s grade C/5 or equivalent including maths and English.

Required Soft Skills:  Personal Effectiveness

• Team Commitment - Values others perspective
• Resilience - Demonstrates self-control
• Passion for Growth and Improvement - Systematically improves performance
• Embracing Change - Responds positively to change

Business Focus

• Client Care:  Works to add value for the client
• Decision Making
• Negotiation, Influence and Persuasion
• Commercial Insight:  Considers and understands commercial implications

Values Our culture is focussed on making Keoghs sustainable and successful for our people and clients, with this our four values are at the heart of everything we do.  Keoghs values:We are connectedWe are dynamic We are innovativeWe succeed together

• Davies Incentive Plan
• 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days) 
• Family Cover Private Medical Insurance (Bupa) - will automatically be at single cover level but can opt into family option within first month of joining.
• Simply Health Care Cash Plan
• WeCare – 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing covering a whole host of topics to do with health, mental health, wellbeing & healthy living and financial & legal wellbeing 
• Death in Service
• Critical Illness Cover
• PHI/Income Protection (Private health insurance)
• Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer 
• Cycle to Work Scheme*
• Tech Scheme*
• Season Ticket Loan*
• Gym Flex*
• Access to Online Discount Sites
• Discounted Gourmet Society Membership
• Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide
• Discounts at local retail outlets

* after successfully completing probation