We are currently recruiting in our Property and Family Departments, seeking a talented and driven Conveyancing Solicitor, FILEX, Licensed Conveyancer or Commercial Property Solicitor to provide property law services for individuals and/or businesses.
Who are we?
Susan Howarth & Co. Solicitors is proud to be an independent, market town practice which was established in 1997 with the belief that everyone has a right to access justice.
With a commitment to deliver the highest quality of service to all clients, we offer high-quality legal advice in Wills, Trusts & Probate incl. Powers of Attorney & Court of Protection, Family Law and Commercial & Residential Property.
Regardless of size and geography, we’ve proved that recognition for expert legal advice, client care and excellence in service delivery can be achieved with the right goals and ambition.
Our expertise is independently recognised, including:
- Ranked as a Band 3 legal practice in the Chambers & Partners UK legal guide
- Directors Susan Howarth and Victoria Poole are both also ranked as Band 3 Notable Practitioners respectively by Chambers & Partners UK
- Ranked as a Band 3 Leading Family Law Firm in The Legal 500 directory
- Susan Howarth ranked as a Leading Individual for 4 consecutive years by the Legal 500 before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023
- Accredited by the Law Society for Wills & Inheritance Quality, Family Law, Children Law & Conveyancing Quality
- Lexcel-accredited for more than 13 years, for excellence in practice management
- Winning Best Family and Childcare Law firm 2022 and 2023 in the AI Legal Awards
- Finalists of the Lexis Nexis Family Law Firm of the Year (North) for 2 consecutive years
We run free weekly Wills, Trusts, LPA & Probate drop-in clinics (no appointment required) every Wednesday 8-9am and 12-1pm, all new Family Law clients are offered a free initial consultation (subject to certain conditions) and we also offer Fixed Fee Family Law Appointments.
We can offer clients in-house family mediation services and we have a specialist Resolution-trained Family Mediator who is also a Resolution-accredited Specialist in Domestic Violence and Children Law (private) and an FMC-accredited Family Mediator (all issues).
Community-focussed and forward-thinking, we pride ourself on our people and promote organic growth.
We adopt a down-to-earth ‘all hands to the pump’ approach to working within the firm, which includes participation in practice marketing and staff events - we’re a friendly office with a family feel and an open-door policy for all.
1. Conveyancing Solicitor
A new exciting opportunity has arisen for a Conveyancing Solicitor to join our Property Department, handling primarily residential conveyancing but with a potential opportunity to develop commercial conveyancing.
This role will suit an ambitious fee earner who is keen to further develop the property department as well as their career, offering responsibility and progression.
Responsibilities will include:
- Re-Mortgages
- Transfer of Equity
- Right to Buy
- Sales and Purchases
- Leasehold transactions
- Lease extensions
- Deed of Variations
- Shared Owners
- New Build Properties.
There will be the opportunity to handle light commercial transactions to include landlord/tenant, share sales, section 106 agreements and other related matters.
You will be expected to:
- build upon existing relationships and client recommendations and generate further to help grow the team
- be responsible for the annual Law Society CQS accreditation renewal
- get involved with the business development and marketing of the firm
What is required?
We are seeking a fee earner who ideally has 5+ years PQE (min. 3 yrs PQE) with previous experience of handling their own case load unsupervised covering the full range of conveyancing transactions. This is an office-based position due to the nature of the team set-up.
We may consider offering a part-time opportunity for a more experienced candidate.
Salary
Negotiable, depending on experience
Benefits
Pension, On-site parking, Holiday entitlement - 20 days (increasing after 2 years of service by 1 day per year of service up to a maximum of 25) + Christmas shutdown from 5pm on the last working day before Christmas to the first working day of the new year, plus birthday off and sick pay (10 days paid sick leave), both of which applicable after 1 completed year of employment.
2. Paralegal - Family Law Department (Care Team)
The role
To support the lawyers in the Family Law team.
To undertake such tasks as requested by the family team lawyers. Under the supervision of the family lawyers, to undertake fee-earning work and provide a profitable contribution to the work of the Department through the achievement of agreed financial and non-financial targets.
To ensure the successful development of the firm in line with the firm’s business plan and any agreed personal goal plan.
Key tasks
• Assisting with and supporting the management of the family department case load.
• Assisting the family lawyers in the day-to-day Management of their case load.
• Undertaking fee earning work under the supervision of a lawyer.
• Ensuring all messages, correspondence, communications, and emails are delivered to the relevant lawyer accurately and without delay.
• Transcribing dictation as and when required.
• Drafting applications.
• Filing and other general office tasks.
• Covering (when and if required) for other members of staff when they are absent.
• Attending case conferences, pre-proceeding meetings and professional meetings.
• Assisting the lawyers with the management of cases from start to conclusion and keeping the clients informed of developments of the case through oral and written updates.
• Ensuring the compliance with Court directions and timetables.
• Dealing with and responding to, routine incoming correspondence and e-mails.
• Monitoring the care department e-mails and actioning the same.
• Dealing with routine incoming telephone calls and enquiries.
• Opening files and ensuring the same are opened in accordance with our policies and procedures.
• Drafting documents to include statements, letters, briefs to Counsel, schedules etc.
• Preparing Court Bundles when our client is the Applicant (in accordance with Court protocol).
• Demonstrating organisational skills.
• Managing own diary that of the family department lawyers, checking representation for all hearings and meetings is arranged.
• Working through the brought forward diary system and completing the necessary work under the supervision of a lawyer.
• Keeping the diary up to date.
• Managing clients’ expectations.
• Attending upon clients both in person and remotely to obtain instructions.
• Being familiar with and complying with all SH&CO office manual, practices and procedures.
• Preparing cases for Court hearings.
• Attending conferences with Counsel and client where appropriate. Attending Court with client and Counsel where appropriate.
• Drafting and amending letters of instruction to expert.
• Completing legal aid applications.
• Preparing Legal Aid Bills and submitting the same.
• Managing files efficiently and in accordance with set procedures.
• Checking cost estimates and cost limits on legal aid certificate files and liaising with billing clerk / lawyers in relation to the same.
• Completing time recording on all matters.
• Keeping all files in neat and orderly manner to ensure any other lawyers will be able to see the stage of a case at a glance.
• Inputting data into the firm’s computer system as required
• Liaising with members of staff in other teams or external contacts as necessary
• Prioritising workload in consultation with the lawyer concerned.
• Deputising in the lawyer’s absence passing urgent issues to another senior fee earner for guidance
• Engaging in dealing with initial client enquiries to ensure they are assigned to the most appropriate person.
• Notifying the appropriate supervisor immediately of any concerns that could lead potentially to a complaint.
• Supporting other colleagues and engaging in such tasks as are allocated to you.
Personal Development
• Undergo such training as might be appropriate for the role and in accordance with SRA requirements.
• Keep up to date with changes and developments in the specialised area in practice of public childcare law.
• Engage and if appropriate, assist with in-house training as may be required.
• Be responsible for and attend to issues of personal self-development as may be identified in supervision and/or annual appraisals.
Business Development Responsibilities
• Assist the family team in pursuing potential business leads.
• Assist the family team in Building up a network of referrals from other solicitors and professionals.
• Maintain relationship with professionals to build reputation and client base.
• Effectively promote and cross refer other areas of law within the practice where applicable to help maximise our service delivery to clients.
• Provide advice to potential clients through the free half hour advice. Supporting other lawyers at holiday time and/or periods of illness.
• Carrying out such business development activities as are agreed.
Other areas of duty
• At all times exercise a high standard of client care in a professional, efficient and pleasant manner.
• Be pro-active in promoting the services of the firm, its professional image and ethos in relation to the delivery of a high-quality service.
• Ensure the preservation of confidentiality and security of all the firm’s and client documentation and information at all times.
• Comply with the Solicitors Accounts Rules and the Professional Code of Conduct laid down by the SRA, Law Society, Lexcel, Resolution and any other relevant professional bodies.
• Maintain clear and precise communications with other personnel within the firm.
• Carry out any other duties as appropriate to the nature of the post as may be required.
• Attend staff and, where appropriate, monthly family law department meetings as required.
• Uphold the aims and principles of the firm’s policies.
What is required?
As a Paralegal you should ideally have experience in basic family law/as a legal assistant, preferably gained over a 3-year period or more.
We are looking for confident, presentable candidate with a strong work ethic and a commitment to deliver a high-quality legal service to our valued clients.
We value personality, compassion, flexibility, enthusiasm, initiative and loyalty.
Additional skills required for the role include:
• A pleasant but assertive manner in dealing with colleagues and clients - tact and resilience are essential qualities
• Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, with a good command of written English
• Strong efficiency and organisational skills, with good control of diary systems and solid computer literacy
• A pragmatic approach to the workload
• Strong team player
Likely training requirements
• Annual in-house training in GDPR, Cyber Security, Conflict of Interest, Money Laundering, Equality & Diversity.
• In house Office Manual
• All policies/plans and procedures of the practice
• In house Legal Aid training
Salary
Depending on experience
Benefits
Pension, On-site parking, Holiday entitlement - 20 days (increasing after 2 years of service by 1 day per year of service up to a maximum of 25) + Christmas shutdown from 5pm on the last working day before Christmas to the first working day of the new year, plus birthday off and sick pay (10 days paid sick leave), both of which applicable after 1 completed year of employment.
If you're keen to discuss and explore this opportunity, please e-mail your CV to rosiehowarth@susanhowarthsolicitors.co.uk or JaclynHolmes@susanhowarthsolicitors.co.uk .
