Lead Lawyer - Keoghs LLP : Job Details

Keoghs LLP is one of the leading insurance law firms in the UK and can rightly claim to be amongst the most dynamic in its sector. We now have an exciting opportunity for a talented insurance lawyer within the Property Risks & Coverage Team. This role will be based in our Bristol office and will focus on the Recoveries specialism.  Flexible working is encouraged for the right candidate.  Our recoveries team work across the national offices primarily out of our Bolton and Bristol offices however location is not the determining factor for success in this role. This is a Claimant role and the successful candidate will handle a case of load of Household and Commercial Property recovery files which will deal with a wide range of perils (fires, floods, product liability) from a selection of the team’s well known insurers.  Typically the value of these claims does not exceed £100K.   In addition, this is a role which involves the management of a team of up to 3 lawyers and so someone with people leadership skills will succeed in this role.  This is a technical and at times client-facing role for a well-rounded lawyer, so you will have a keen interest in building client relationships through the delivery of training and mentoring as well as in delivering first class legal solutions to complex problems.   It is anticipated that the successful candidate will also work closely with Heather Ford and Matthew Owen on client account management for one or more of our recoveries clients.  The team regularly delivers training seminars and workshops to various insurer clients and the ideal candidate will have an interest and proven track record in client development and show a willingness to assist in the preparation and delivery of seminars on technical legal issues.

From a file handling perspective tasks on your own case load will include: 

• Initial review/report to include consideration of funding, prospects of successful recovery and triage
• Investigating evidential matters, gathering evidence in order to establish cause of action
• Conducting investigations with third parties 
• Instructing counsel and experts 
• Legal research 
• Drafting generally to include letter of claim, claim form and particulars for issue
• Attending conferences and trials with counsel 
• Dealing with routine correspondence 
• Liaising with lay and insurer clients 
• Engaging in settlement negotiations including consideration of and the drafting of Part 36 offers
• Preparing pre-action and interim applications 
• Driving the litigation process as Claimant to ultimate conclusion
• Assisting with ADR (including mediation)
• Court appointments
• Conducting advocacy by telephone and in person 
• To ensure compliance with the SRA Standards & Regulations

From a people perspective  you will support the Lead Partner technicians of the national PRC team and the BUD in: 

• The management of a team up to 3 lawyers in terms of service delivery and personal professional development which will include technical supervision; 
• In ensuring that all members of the mini team have appropriate objectives in place and are measured against them in accordance with Keoghs performance management processes; 
• In the recruitment and retention of personnel into the national recoveries team and the wider PRC team in order to maintain profitability and the idea operating model; feeding into the PRC talent pipeline; 
• In the effective, fair and transparent application of Keoghs people processes and procedures;
• By communicating in a clear, concise and engaging way to promote morale & motivation and in the giving of feedback. 

From a sales/BD perspective you will support the Lead Partner technicians, BUD and PPs for clients in: 

• The day to day management of a nominated recoveries account; 
• The preparation and delivery of client MI; 
• The preparation and delivery of client training events

Working Hours  35 hours per week Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch. Office location for this role can be flexible between Bolton & Bristol

Recruitment Criteria:

• Qualified solicitor or equivalent with relevant technical capability 
• Minimum of 5 years Claimant/Defendant property litigation experience 
• Experience of running a case load
• A working knowledge and understanding of the Household and Commercial recoveries
• A working knowledge and understanding of running a Housing and commercial recoveries team
• A working knowledge and understanding of delivery of client KPIs

Required Soft Skills: 

• An ability to prioritise workload
• Ability to pay attention to detail
• Ability to work with case management systems
• The personal skills to deal with such work as major and expensive litigation involving liaison with senior claims handlers

ValuesOur 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;We are connectedWe are DynamicWe 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