Job Description

The firm:
Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.
We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.
Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.
With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.
The department:
The Birketts' Debt Recovery Team ("DRT") sits within the firm's Commerial Dispute Resolution Team and acts for a wide range of clients, from PLCs through to SMEs and family owned businesses.
The DRT prides itself on developing relationships with its clients, many of whom have been clients of the DRT for 20+ years. The DRT assist in resolving uncontested debtor issues quickly and with minimum fuss.
The DRT is routinely ranked in the top tier by the legal directories, Legal 500 and Chambers. Indeed, the most recent edition of the Legal 500 notes that "'The analysis and case preparation is second to none. They treat their clients as completely central, and take huge care with every case, no matter the size. This shows in everything they do - it is a very, very polished outfit."
Purpose of job:
Working alongside one of the Partners in the Commercial Dispute Resolution Team and the Senior Paralegals within the DRT, you will lead the DRT to ensure the highest quality, business focused, efficient and cost effective service is provided at all times.
You will also help with the firm's plans to continue to grow the DRT in terms of client base and new instructions.
Accountabilities:

• Build, develop, manage and lead the DRT.
• Act for the DRT's clients at all stages of the debt recovery process, from sending Letters of Claim, issuing Court proceedings, requesting Judgment and taking enforcement action.
• Manage a portfolio of defended claims allocated to the Small Claims Track and Fast Track.
• Assist fee earners in the Commercial Dispute Resolution Team with the service of statutory demands, winding-up petitions and bankruptcy petitions.
• Manage a portfolio of clients whilst developing and maintaining new commercial opportunities, taking opportunities to sell the services that the firm offers.
• Provide technical and strategic advice about the DRT's services and procedures, both internally and externally.
• Work alongside colleagues across the firm to maximise cross-selling and cross-referral opportunities.
• Maintain high standards of financial management and record keeping.
• Help the Commercial Dispute Resolution Partners grow the DRT by actively marketing and developing existing and new relationships.
• Attend and conduct advocacy at County Court hearings.

The candidate:
You will be a qualified solicitor and a confident individual with the ability to understand the DRT, the firm and the individual needs of the DRT's clients.
You will need to be calm under pressure, a team player with a can-do attitude and a high degree of attention to detail, flexibility and the ability to respond quickly and proactively to the demands of a busy debt recovery team.
Equal opportunities:
At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:

• 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
• Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR Day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
• Dress for your Day Policy

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.
Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.
Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.

Skills Required