Associate - EL/PL and/or Industrial Disease

DWF; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

DWF in Birmingham is seeking an Associate for our Major Injury and Casualty team. You will handle a diverse defendant caseload, including major injury, casualty and large loss claims, with attendance at court when required.

We require 3+ PQE in defendant litigation and a genuine interest in major injury and casualty work. The role is hybrid, with office attendance in Birmingham two days per week with flexible arrangements for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• 3+ PQE in defendant litigation and Major Injury and Casualty.
• Technical interest in Major Injury, large loss, industrial disease, or casualty claims.
• Strong EL/PL background or willingness to learn new areas.
• Experience handling defendant Major Injury and Casualty files, or as an assistant.
• Experience claimant experience considered.
• Ability to build client relationships and work commercially.

Responsibilities

• As an Associate, manage a caseload of Major Injury and Casualty matters for defendant clients.
• Draft pleadings, reports to clients, attend court hearings and meet deadlines.
• Coordinate liability investigations, evidence gathering, and expert instruction.
• Prioritise work and ensure service levels align with client needs.
• Support juniors and foster internal and external relationships.

Skills

PQE

Defendant litigation

Major Injury & Casualty

EL/PL background

Job description

Why join us? The Casualty team at DWF is one of the largest in the UK and is nationally recognised.

If your skills, experience, and qualifications match those in this job overview, do not delay your application.

We act for a number of prestigious Tier 1 insurers, many of whom are household names, handling a wide range of Major Injury and Casualty claims.

We are currently recruiting for an Associate to join the team in Birmingham. We are seeking an Associate with previous experience handling Major Injury and Casualty claims.

Experience in Industrial Disease would be advantageous; however, this is not essential, as the team manages a varied defendant caseload including Casualty, Disease and Large Loss claims. The role is hybrid, with office attendance in Birmingham required two days per week.

We are open to discussing flexibility for the right candidate.

Responsibilities

As an Associate in our Major Injury and Casualty, you will engage in a wide range of activities, such as:

• Working with the Partners to manage a caseload of Major Injury and Casualty, compromising of a variety of defendant Casualty, Disease, and Large Loss claims matters, with claim ranging in value.
• Drafting pleadings, reports to clients, attending court hearings, working to court deadlines, liability investigations, gathering evidence, instructing experts and considering interesting medical causation issue.
• Prioritising work effectively and to maximise efficiency in working practices, adhering to court deadlines and directions, as well as the client's service level agreements.
• Building working relationships internally and externally in order to maintain client relationships, develop business networks and create a solid understanding of the Firm’s direction and client needs.
• Providing support and act as the 'go to person' for more junior members in the team.

What will help you succeed in this role?

Essential:

• 3+ PQE, within defendant litigation and Major Injury and Casualty.
• Technically experienced in and/or a real interest in Major Injury, large loss, industrial disease, disease and Casualty claims.
• We will also consider candidates that have a strong EL/PL background and a willingness to learn new areas.
• Ideally experienced handling defendant Major Injury and Casualty files either in your own right, or as an assistant to more senior team members.
• We will also consider those with Claimant experience.
• Familiar with working in a commercial environment.

Desirable:

• Enthusiasm to develop your skills and knowledge.
• Adaptable to change and willing to embrace new ideas and processes.
• Ability to work to deadlines, prioritise own workload effectively under pressure and manage conflicting priorities.
• Confident oral and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
• A commitment to delivering outstanding service and results.
• Strong academics.

What we offer?

We are committed to ensuring that each member of our team feels valued and duly rewarded during their time at DWF.

We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.

We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support needed.

If you're excited about the opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the requirements, please apply anyway.

You may be the right candidate for the role or others across the wider team.

About us

DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services.

We empower people to be themselves within an inclusive and supportive environment, enabling everyone to achieve their full potential in line with their abilities and career aspirations.