About your new role

Our Market Leading Local Government team provides a full,expert service in defending public (PL) and employers' liability (EL) claimsacross the public sector. Weightmans' team is second-to-none in providingdefendant litigation services in these and other specialist Casualty areas. Weoperate on a national basis with dedicated commercial insurance and LocalGovernment teams and as part of our wider specialism we have a dedicatedCasualty Fraud team.
We are currently recruiting for a lawyer to joinour Local Government Team based in either Birminghamor Leicester.

We seek a lawyer to assist on high value and complexproperty damage claims as a result of escapes of water and waste frominfrastructure, natural flooding, and tree roots and invasive species at thepre-action stage and litigated through the High Court TCC for Local Governmentand Statutory Bodies. As part of your role, you will also have conduct of yourown lower value FT/MT property damage claims with the opportunity to progressto gaining more autonomy and handling the larger value and complex claims withexperience. This is an excellent opportunity for a junior lawyer with a realinterest in dealing with technical disputes and litigation.

You will be responsible for assisting on large scaledisclosure exercises, the preparation and obtaining of witness and expertevidence, and meeting court deadlines together with the running of the day today of your cases including liaising with clients, opponents, court, witnessesand undertaking your own liability investigations.

Your key duties and responsibilities will include:

• Handling or assisting on predominantly PL property damage claims involving residential and commercial properties and statutory infrastructure, including water and waste assets and the highway.
• Assisting senior fee earners with various tasks including general case management, legal research, drafting of witness statements, instructions to experts and counsel, reports to clients and preparation for court hearings
• Attending client meetings and court hearings
• Responding promptly and accurately to correspondence and telephone enquiries from clients and other parties, with and without supervision
• Achieving set financial and chargeable targets
• Supporting the team's business development activities

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and you will beexpected to perform other duties and have other responsibilities that fallwithin the wider remit of the role.

About You

You will have experience handling or assisting on propertydamage claims, or previous experience of handling casualty claims, and agenuine, demonstrable interest in the work.
We also require you to have:

• Experience of handing PL, EL, Highways claims
• A proactive and forward-thinking mindset
• A willingness to ask questions and engage with the whole team
• Experience of handling own caseload
• Good drafting skills
• Good influencing skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Good IT skills
• Good written and communication skills
• Good time management and organisation skills
• Good attention to detail and concentration
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise
• Ability to work to strict deadlines
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
• Knowledge of CPR procedure with proven technical ability

If you meet our criteria and think this is a job where youcould bring enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn, then we look forward toreceiving your application.

Please Note: We encourage candidates to speak to us direct/apply direct for the opportunities we have available.

Why work for us

Come and join our award-winning organisation and be part of a team where people truly matter.

Weightmans is a Leading national law firm, with strong international capabilities.

Weightmans has been recognised as a leading employer for the 19th consecutive year at Britain's Top Employers awards , and ranking top 10 in the list, the firm has also secured top positions in Chambers UK.

Join Weightmans as we continue our journey to becoming one of the UK's top 30 law firms .

Why work for us? Take a look: Work for Weightmans: voted a top employer | Weightmans

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