Clinical Risk Solicitor or Associate
Southampton, England, United Kingdom
Our Clinical Risk cluster is the biggest nationally- handling a challenging but fulfilling caseload of defendant clinical negligence work- acting for a variety of clients, which may include work for NHS Resolution, NHS Trusts, MDU, independent providers, and medical malpractice insurers.
We pride ourselves on our supportive, approachable culture. We are trusted, appreciated as individuals and embraced as part of a team. At DAC Beachcroft, we don’t just accept your differences, we celebrate them. From bespoke solutions for our clients, to treating you as an individual. Our strength comes from your diverse ideas and bringing the ‘whole you’ to work. So if you’re good at what you do, come as you are.
Our flexible approach means that we help our colleagues to be their best at work, while recognising that they have all sorts of different interests and commitments outside work. Our vision is to be leading business advisers, recognised for our insight and our outstanding commitment to clients, and for being the place where talented people want to work. Combine this with our supportive culture, and you have: a Life that Works.
Main Responsibilities
Handle a challenging caseload of defendant clinical negligence work on behalf of NHS Resolution. This will include drafting pleadings, witness statements and letters of response, conducting face to face negotiations and mediation of claims as well as preparing counter schedules
Act as first and primary contact for clients on a day to day basis providing them with commercially focused legal advice
Adhering closely to client protocol and process
Provide supervision and coaching to junior fee earners
Make an appropriate contribution to non-fee earning activity e.g. knowledge sharing, training, client seminars, and business development
Comply with the required standards for internal procedures e.g. financial
Management of files, billing regimes etc. as well as the specific requirements of individual clients
Writing articles for publication both for in-house and external publications
Handle confidential information in line with the firm's data security protocols
The Ideal Candidate
A Solicitor with experience in defendant or claimant clinical negligence, or defendant insurance law. We are happy to consider applications at all Solicitor or Associate level.
Experience gained within an NHS Resolution panel firm would be preferable (but not essential) as would an understanding of the NHS and their business drivers, including knowledge of and ability to deliver against client protocols and KPIs
Strong technical skills and an ability to understand and work through complex issues
A demonstrable ability to adopt a commercial perspective rather than an ‘academic’ approach to legal issues and to be highly client focused
Ability to operate with a high level of self-sufficiency, combined with an awareness of the boundaries of own competence/authority
Team oriented and collegiate with an experience of and a willingness to mentor, coach and supervise less experienced members of teams
Exposure to and success within business development activities
Confident communicator with an ability to develop relationships, undertake client marketing and influence at all levels. Ability to deal confidently and professionally with clients on day to day issues, building up strong relationships
Strong organisation skills to ensure a pragmatic and methodical approach to handling a variety of clinical negligence claims simultaneously, through an IT case management system
Change oriented with a positive, flexible approach towards the implementation of new initiatives
Able to handle a complex and constantly changing workload and to work under pressure
Detail conscious with a concern for quality