Overview

Children Law Solicitor / Director x2 - Salary £67.5K Per Annum - Birmingham

Company: Duncan Lewis Solicitors (Ltd) is regulated by the Solicitor's Regulation Authority and was founded in 1998. Headquartered in the City of London with offices nationwide, we are recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK as a top-tier firm in key practice areas. We operate as a paperless law firm with hybrid-working and service corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 areas of law across 60 languages.

We have been recognised among The Times 200 Best Law Firms and have received awards such as Law Firm of the Year at the 2024 Lexis Nexis Awards and 2023 Modern Law Awards. Duncan Lewis holds Investors in People Gold Standard accreditation and is Lexcel, Cyber Essentials Plus, and ISO 27001 certified. We value training, diversity and an inclusive workforce.

We value dedicated professionals and welcome applications from exceptional candidates.

Child Care Department

Applauded by The Legal 500, our Child Care Department is highly knowledgeable and capable, with expertise in all aspects of child care law. We represent guardians, children, parents and family members, including adopted parents and birth parents considering adoption. We advise same-sex couples on child care matters, including arrangements after divorce, separation or civil partnership dissolution, adoption, co-parenting and surrogacy. Our team includes Law Society Children and Family Panel Members and members of the Association for the Lawyers for Children and Resolution. Duncan Lewis is on the Lord Chancellor's ICACU referral list. We have handled high-profile cases with various complex elements.

Responsibilities

• Report directly to and collaborate with the Board to ensure performance targets are met
• Responsible for all aspects of Child Care work, providing technical expertise and guidance to team members
• Manage and supervise Solicitors, Trainee Solicitors and Caseworkers to handle appropriate caseloads and levels of complexity
• Assist with delivery of training and development within the department
• Handle a range of public and private children cases, including child abduction, child protection, special guardianship and adoption matters, and undertake advocacy
• Provide a pro-active approach, strong client care skills and an interest in business development and marketing to supplement work volumes

Qualifications and Skills

• 3 Years+ PQE
• Registered with the Law Society; Children Panel Membership desirable
• Clean, valid Practising Certificate at the time of application
• Strong management skills
• Team player with ability to address concerns fairly, foster positive change and encourage cross referrals
• Experience supervising and working to KPIs
• Pro-active professional with excellent client care and ability to handle vulnerable clients and complex Child Care issues
• Excellent networking and communication skills; ability to market the firm and generate new business
• Knowledge of publicly funded Child Care work and ability to service privately funded cases
• Extensive experience across Child Care matters; some expertise in adoption
• Own advocacy experience is an advantage
• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and document management

The recruitment process will fully comply with GDPR and other applicable laws. Background checks including CRB/DBS checks will establish eligibility to work in the UK and suitability for the role.

Equal Opportunities

Duncan Lewis is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity. We strive to ensure our staff reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, at all levels within the workforce. We guarantee an interview for candidates who disclose a disability and meet the essential requirements for the post. Please provide additional details in your covering letter if this applies.

Applications submitted by agencies will not be accepted for the above vacancy.