Assistant Lawyer

Job Description

This role offers and excellent opportunity to work within the Belfast Team dealing with large loss claims. In this role you will assist the lead lawyer with complex, high value High Court cases, which will include casualty as well as motor claims, includingcatastrophic injury cases. You will also handle your own caseload of claims valued between £100k-£250k. Experience of indemnity, liability and complex medical issues is preferred and excellent attention to detail is essential. Your work will be supervisedand feedback given.The role includes the need to engage with sophisticated senior claims handlers in long-standing insurance clients and you may also be required to assist the lead lawyer with activities which enhance and develop Keoghs’ profile.Compensation packageHybrid working 1 day in the office, 4 days remote, Health Care Cash Plan, Holidays 25 days plus 8 bank holidays (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days) increasing to 26 after 5 years’ service and to 27 after 10 years’ service, Death In Service - after 1 year,Employer Pension Contribution, Cycle to Work Scheme, Tech Scheme, Season Ticket Loan*, Gym FlexKey AccountabilitiesYou 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 and catastrophic injury claims involving brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation and fatal claims.
• Handling your own caseload of claims valued between £100k-£250k
• Communicating with sophisticated 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 of complex injury symptomology 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 Lead Lawyer.
• Proactively identifying next steps required on matter, discussing those aspects with the Lead Lawyer 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 and attending conferences, JSMs, mediations both remotely and in person.
• Attend court in person or by telephone, attend trials, settlement conferences etc as required.
• Delivery of agreed performance targets and quality standards.
• Delegate assigned tasks for a Legal Assistant and/or 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 LSNI regulations.

Working Hours35 hours per week Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch. Primary location for this role is Belfast Office.Essential Skills and Attributes:

• Qualified solicitor or proven relevant legal experience is essential.
• Experience of indemnity, liability and quantum essential.
• Experience of cases involving complex medical issues 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)

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

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;Our ValuesWe are connectedWe are DynamicWe are InnovativeWe succeed together