Complex Injury Associate/Senior Associate

William James Recruitment; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension scheme

Hybrid working

Private medical insurance

Death in Service and Critical Illness

Retail discounts and nationwide offers

Annual leave 25 days + bank holidays

Job summary

William James Recruitment is assisting a leading national defendant law firm in Southampton to hire an Associate or Senior Associate for its Complex Injury team. The role focuses on high-value, multi-track PI claims for insurer clients, with exposure to catastrophic injury matters and large losses.

You will manage a mixed caseload, advise on liability and quantum, draft pleadings, and mentor juniors, with hybrid working and clear progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with PI experience.
• Proven experience handling complex/high-value multi-track personal injury litigation.
• Strong understanding of personal injury litigation, insurance law and CPR.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills.
• Commercially minded with ability to build strong client relationships.
• Senior Associate: experience mentoring juniors and developing a team.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of complex multi-track personal injury claims valued £100,000–£500,000.
• Support senior lawyers on catastrophic injury and large loss matters valued at £1 million+.
• Advise insurer clients on liability, quantum, indemnity and litigation strategy.
• Draft pleadings, defences, schedules, counter-schedules and related documents.
• Review and analyse medical, liability and expert evidence.
• Prepare valuations, reserve recommendations and quantum assessments.
• Represent clients at mediations, settlement meetings and conferences.
• Build strong working relationships with clients, Counsel, experts and stakeholders.
• Assist in mentoring junior colleagues and contribute to knowledge sharing.

Skills

Analytical skills

Drafting

Negotiation

Communication

Client relations

Organisation

Insurance law knowledge

Civil Procedure Rules

Education

Qualified Solicitor

Chartered Legal Executive

Job description

Complex Injury Associate / Senior Associate - Southampton – Hybrid – Up to £70,000

A leading national defendant law firm is seeking an experienced Associate or Senior Associate to join its specialist Complex Injury team in Southampton. This is an excellent opportunity for a personal injury lawyer to work on complex, high-value claims on behalf of major insurer clients, with exposure to technically challenging litigation across a broad range of sectors.

As an Associate or Senior Associate within the Complex Injury team, you’ll manage a varied caseload of complex multi-track claims, with the opportunity to work alongside senior lawyers on catastrophic injury and large loss matters valued in excess of £1 million. The role offers exposure to sophisticated insurer clients, high-quality litigation and excellent long-term opportunities for career development and progression.

The Role

• Managing a caseload of complex multi-track personal injury claims, typically valued between £100,000 and £500,000
• Supporting senior lawyers on catastrophic injury and large loss matters valued at £1 million+
• Advising insurer clients on liability, quantum, indemnity and litigation strategy
• Drafting pleadings, defences, schedules, counter-schedules and other legal documentation
• Reviewing and analysing complex medical, liability and expert evidence
• Preparing valuations, reserve recommendations and detailed quantum assessments
• Representing clients at mediations, settlement meetings and conferences where required
• Building strong working relationships with clients, Counsel, experts and other key stakeholders
• Supporting the development of junior colleagues through coaching and mentoring
• Contributing to the wider team through knowledge‑sharing, technical development and client service

The Candidate

• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive
• Proven experience handling complex and/or high-value multi-track personal injury litigation
• Strong understanding of personal injury litigation, insurance law and the Civil Procedure Rules
• Experience managing complex liability and quantum issues
• Excellent analytical, drafting, negotiation and communication skills
• Commercially minded with the ability to build strong client relationships
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Experience working with insurer clients would be advantageous
• Experience with MIB claims, Article 75 matters or Uninsured/Untraced Driver claims would be advantageous
• Senior Associate candidates should ideally have experience supporting junior colleagues and contributing to the wider development of a team

• Competitive salary up to £70,000 depending on experience
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, with the option to buy and sell up to 3 days; increasing to 26 days after 5 years’ service and 27 days after 10 years
• Company pension scheme
• Hybrid working
• Private medical insurance
• Death in Service and Critical Illness cover
• Access to retail discounts and nationwide entertainment offers
• Supportive working environment with clear opportunities for progression
• Strong training and ongoing development opportunities
• Excellent long‑term career development within a specialist Complex Injury team

More About William James Recruitment

William James Recruitment is a specialist legal recruitment consultancy, partnering with leading law firms across the UK and internationally. We work with a range of highly regarded clients, including Legal 500‑ranked firms, advising on senior and strategic appointments.