Partner, Dispute Resolution

Appleby; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Appleby is seeking an experienced lawyer with a minimum of ten years' post qualification experience to manage client relationships and oversee case management. You'll be responsible for ensuring the highest level of service, developing new legal skills, and contributing to the firm's business strategy.

The role requires strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a collaborative approach to working with teams. Mentoring junior lawyers is also a key responsibility, promoting professional development within the firm.

Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of post qualification experience required.
• Strong skills and specialized knowledge in relevant practice area(s).
• Proven record of productivity with ability to meet targets.
• Ability to work successfully in a collaborative global environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage the client relationship and case management effectively.
• Promote Appleby and contribute to business strategy.
• Drive matters forward and have contingency plans.
• Mentor junior lawyers and manage team dynamics.

Skills

Strong skills in relevant practice area(s)

Analytical drafting and negotiating skills

Client development

Relationship management

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Qualified lawyer with minimum ten years post qualification experience

Tools

Microsoft Office suite

Job description

Job number: 1486 | Department: Dispute Resolution

Principal duties and responsibilities will include (but are not limited to) the following:

Customer Service

• Keeping up to date with developments within client’s organization and understanding the client’s perspective
• Advising clients, in keeping with the firm’s principles, with respect to all aspects of case management pertaining to all relevant practice area(s)
• Seeking to improve service by checking the work provided has met client requirements, and ensuring that client feedback on any aspect of our service is relayed to relevant persons within Appleby
• Working well with all parties involved in a matter, responding helpfully to third parties in client’s absence, and involving the right people at crucial stages of an assignment.
• Anticipating client’s needs through understanding their long term plans and delivering ideas through knowledge of the client’s market
• Seeking ways to improve level of service to the client and to add value provided across the department
• Maintaining client relationship even in adversity
• Taking full responsibility for progress of a matter

Business Development

• Keeping track of developments in the business world, especially within practice group
• Being aware and contributing to the business strategy of Appleby
• Promoting Appleby to peers and participating in recruitment initiatives
• Identifying innovative, practical solutions
• Developing an understanding of other organisations’ commercial approach
• Identifying future work opportunities with existing and prospective clients
• Using different styles of marketing to promote Appleby to clients (eg contribution to newsletters and other publications, attending networking events, cross‑selling Appleby to clients where appropriate)
• Maintaining an on‑going relationship with clients
• Integrating Appleby’s CRM initiative into own working practices
• Contributing to and improving know‑how and transaction indices
• Pursuing initiatives to improve the practice area
• Communicating know‑how to other colleagues to promote improved ways of working
• Evaluating the profitability of a matter for the Firm
• Contributing to business planning
• Developing the Firm’s public profiles; writing articles for industry publications, speaking at conferences, presenting effective “beauty parades”, networking with more senior client contacts and ensures introductions for other appropriate partners within the Firm
• Developing the practice and the Firm by adding value in terms of new ideas and approaches to processes; researching and developing potentially profitable new legal products/practice areas; reviewing know‑how work produced

Business Management

• Influences the overall resource management of the Practice Group to improve productivity
• Correctly leveraging associates for the work and client; assigning the mix of personalities to which the client will most positively respond, changing the mix if requested by the client
• Demonstrating effective working habits (shows initiative, takes responsibility for work and sees tasks through to completion, shows attention to detail, and meets deadlines)
• Reviewing progress made against project plans and or contingency plans
• Managing matters effectively by driving matters forward and having a contingency plan should things go wrong
• Developing a project plan to break down a matter into component tasks whether working on a matter individually or as preparation for delegation to team members. Ensures the plan is maintained and modified as a matter develops.
• Agreeing best billing procedure with partners and clients (i.e. periodic billing/success fees etc.)
• Managing debtors by ensuring bills are issued promptly, flagging potential overruns, discussing any billing problems with appropriate Partner with a view to rapid resolution, negotiate the final bill if necessary to retain client, and following up on bill payment

Work Relationships

• Demonstrating the qualities and styles of leadership
• Portrays a “can‑do” attitude and a desire to contribute to Appleby
• Motivating others by showing an appreciation for work done, maintaining an approachable attitude even when busy or stressed, and treating others with courtesy and respect
• Demonstrating sensitivity to other ways of working
• Working effectively in a team, appreciating and respecting different approaches to work, supporting others when they have difficulty
• Managing and leading teams in a clear and decisive manner, using different leadership styles to communicate effectively and encourage high performance from all team members
• Resolving conflicts as necessary whilst motivating team to productivity. Give honest and constructive feedback on performance, delivering difficult messages/information in a positive and constructive manner.
• Building relationship with team members and showing appreciation to team when managing a client matter and after it closes
• Conducting regular briefing meetings for members of the matter team, passing on feedback from client to team members
• Involving more junior associates in different types of transactions to help further their experience
• Providing advice and guidance to others on career development in a mentoring capacity
• Mentoring vacation students to ensure they receive a realistic experience of the legal profession and lawyering
• Attaining CLE requirements, depending on local jurisdiction

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

• Qualified lawyer having a minimum of ten (10) years’ post qualification experience
• Strong skills in and specialized knowledge of the relevant practice area(s)
• Able to develop new legal skills in other areas where necessary
• Developed analytical drafting and negotiating skills
• Proven skills in practice management, client development, marketing and relationship management
• Able to contribute to the management of the Firm
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, incorporating excellent organizational, reasoning and presenting skills
• Proven record of productivity and the ability to meet targets
• Ability to work successfully in a collaborative global environment
• Able to manage and contribute to development of junior lawyers
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of programmes