Job Description

Lawstop is a specialist firm of solicitors with offices in London, Brighton, Cornwall, Somerset, Hull, the Wirral, Sandwell, Leicestershire, and Rutland.

We are recruiting an experienced Housing Solicitor to join to join our dynamic legal aid practice. With a modern approach, the firm are legal experts within their areas of law and pride ourselves on high levels of client care, providing an outstanding service at all times.

We require a self-motivated individual with excellent communication and written skills. You will be highly organised, able to manage a varied workload and work well under pressure. Patience and tact are necessary as you will be assisting vulnerable people whose welfare is our priority.

Sound knowledge of legal aid funding is required.

As a solicitor joining our friendly and expanding team, we will provide support and on-going training; however, you must have enough experience to hit the ground running.

We are a versatile and adaptive practice with a unique approach to the delivery of legal services, and we work hard to achieve the best results for our clients.

HOUSING SUPERVISOR SOLICITOR

We are looking for:

A qualified solicitor who should meet the Legal Aid Agency Supervisor Standard for housing law and have significant experience of advising in housing law matters. Must understand the needs of the vulnerable client group that we work with and can balance their needs with assisting paralegals working on their cases.

The lawyer will work with the Housing team including paralegals and administrative staff. Consistent with the business core objectives, the lawyer must demonstrate a commitment to access to social justice for all.

Key Responsibilities

Advice, Casework & Representation / Core Activities

Work with the Housing team to support the day-to-day managerial responsibility for the firm including ensuring compliance with all professional body requirements;

Provide advice, casework, representation, and advocacy services to clients directly on housing law matters.

Assist and supervise paralegals working on housing law matters, ensuring they gain a broad spectrum of experience including conducting casework, advice giving, representation and advocacy where appropriate;

Maintain accurate and complete files and records in line with SQM standards and Lawstop procedures;

Assist with running the legal aid contract as appropriate, bill files, complete legal aid applications and comply with other Legal Aid Agency and SQM requirements;

Provide support and guidance to paralegals in the development of their professional skills (interviewing, advising, client care, legal research, drafting and advocacy) through one to one sessions and case oversight;

Carry out such other duties as may reasonably be requested.

Enabling

Assist in building and maintaining links with local community groups and advice networks and with legal professionals.

Staff and Professional Development

Pursue academic excellence through a continuing commitment to professional and personal development.

In addition

The post-holder will be expected to actively follow Lawstop policies including Equal Opportunities policies.

The post-holder will be expected to maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations. Available to work outside 'normal' office hours as necessary.

As duties and responsibilities change, this job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post-holder.

Person Specification Essential/ Desirable

Desirable

Holds Supervisor status

Is passionate and enthusiastic about legal aid work.

Has a proven track record in delivering legal aid work and a wide range of experience.

Essential Skills

Demonstrates passion for and delivers a high level of client service including responsiveness and accessibility.

Deals with clients in a sensitive, professional and competent way; and communicates with clients at a level appropriate to the individual concerned.

Innovative, positive and client-focused attitude.

Sympathetic and empathetic to the particular needs of vulnerable clients.

Appreciates their role within the local community and makes a positive contribution to the firm's social responsibility.

Sets and strives for high standards throughout their work.

Accurate, thorough with good analytical skills.

Complies with procedures set out in the office manual, professional standards and any requirement set by the Legal Aid Agency or similar interested bodies.

Maintains the strictest standards of client confidentiality at all times.

Proactive approach to managing flow of work.

Manages own time, works in an organised and methodical manner and prioritises work effectively.

Has a positive attitude and works well under pressure.

Adheres to the firm's procedures for file management and reporting.

Demonstrates empathy and is respectful.

Respects others cultural viewpoints and perspectives, is constructive and understanding.

Demonstrates an awareness of pertinent cultural issues both within the firm and the wider environment.

Establishes positive professional and effective relationships.

Demonstrates reliability, integrity, shares knowledge, supports and promotes colleagues.

Acts calmly in a crisis, tactful, determined, quick-thinking, but methodical and consistent.

Computer and web literate and other new media, strong ICT skills.

Uses technology and other resources available to achieve objectives.

Presenting and communicating information.

Works and behaves in a professional manner and within the highest ethical and other standards of the profession.

We offer excellent support and training opportunities to our staff,. We reward performance, provide flexible working practices and positively encourage every individual's contribution as to how we deliver services.

Hours: Full-time - 37.5 hours per week; 9.30am-5.30pm Monday-Friday (alternative working arrangements including part-time hours will be considered)

Salary: Competitive dependent on experience

Anticipated start: as soon as possible

Equal Opportunities: Lawstop is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity of its staff. The Company strives to ensure that our staff reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, which is reflective at all levels within our workforce. We guarantee an interview for candidates that disclose a disability and meet the essential requirements for the post. Please provide additional details in your covering letter if this applies.

The recruitment process will fully comply with GDPR and other applicable laws.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From 34,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Work from home
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid remote in London