Healthcare Principal Associate Solicitor

William James Recruitment; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Private healthcare

Life insurance 4x salary

Gym discount / cycle to work

Employee discounts

Job summary

William James Recruitment is seeking a Healthcare Principal Associate Solicitor in Manchester for a leading UK law firm. The role involves managing a varied caseload of high-value defendant clinical negligence matters and pre-litigation to resolution, with opportunities to mentor junior lawyers and develop client relationships.

You will handle complex evidence, provide strategic advice to healthcare clients and contribute to business development while working in a hybrid, client-focused

Qualifications

• A Qualified Solicitor with 5+ years' PQE
• Strong experience in defendant clinical negligence
• Experience acting for NHS, healthcare or similar institutional clients would be advantageous
• Strong technical knowledge of clinical negligence and the Civil Procedure Rules
• Excellent analytical and investigative skills with the ability to assess complex evidence
• Strong drafting, communication and client relationship skills
• Commercially aware with a practical and client-focused approach
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior lawyers
• Confident contributing to business development and client-facing initiatives
• Highly organised with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a wider team
• A genuine interest in developing a long-term career within healthcare law

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of complex and high-value defendant clinical negligence claims
• Handle both pre-litigation and litigated matters from initial investigation through to resolution
• Investigate claims thoroughly and assess liability, causation and potential outcomes
• Liaise with clients, claimants, solicitors, counsel, medical experts and other relevant parties
• Obtain and review medical and other evidence and instruct appropriate experts
• Provide clear, strategic and commercially focused advice to healthcare clients
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships
• Support and mentor junior lawyers, helping to develop technical skills and best practice
• Contribute to client training, presentations and other relationship-building initiatives
• Assist with business development and contribute to the continued growth of the healthcare practice
• Ensure matters are progressed efficiently and in line with client requirements, deadlines and professional standards

Skills

Defendant clinical negligence

Client relationship management

Mentoring juniors

Business development

Legal drafting

Analytical skills

Strategic advice

Team coordination

Education

Qualified Solicitor

Job description

A leading UK law firm is looking to recruit a Healthcare Principal Associate Solicitor to join its specialist healthcare team in Manchester.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced healthcare lawyer to take on a senior role within a growing team, managing complex and high-value defendant clinical negligence matters while also contributing to the development of junior lawyers and client relationships.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work across a broad range of healthcare matters and play an active role in developing client relationships and supporting the continued growth of the practice.

The Role:

• Manage a varied caseload of complex and high-value defendant clinical negligence claims
• Handle both pre-litigation and litigated matters from initial investigation through to resolution
• Investigate claims thoroughly and assess liability, causation and potential outcomes
• Liaise with clients, claimants, solicitors, counsel, medical experts and other relevant parties
• Obtain and review medical and other evidence and instruct appropriate experts
• Provide clear, strategic and commercially focused advice to healthcare clients
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships
• Support and mentor junior lawyers, helping to develop technical skills and best practice
• Contribute to client training, presentations and other relationship-building initiatives
• Assist with business development and contribute to the continued growth of the healthcare practice
• Ensure matters are progressed efficiently and in line with client requirements, deadlines and professional standards

About You:

• A Qualified Solicitor with 5+ years' PQE
• Strong experience in defendant clinical negligence
• Experience acting for NHS, healthcare or similar institutional clients would be advantageous
• Strong technical knowledge of clinical negligence and the Civil Procedure Rules
• Excellent analytical and investigative skills with the ability to assess complex evidence
• Strong drafting, communication and client relationship skills
• Commercially aware with a practical and client-focused approach
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior lawyers
• Confident contributing to business development and client-facing initiatives
• Highly organised with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a wider team
• A genuine interest in developing a long-term career within healthcare law

The Benefits:

• Salary up to £85,000 depending on experience
• 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Private healthcare cover, with the option to extend to family members
• Life insurance of up to 4x salary
• Discounted gym membership / cycle to work scheme
• Employee discounts and offers
• Ongoing training, development and career progression opportunities