Senior Associate - Family

JMW Solicitors; Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

JMW Solicitors in Manchester seeks a Senior Associate in Family Law to support the Head of Department and a Salaried Partner. You will handle divorce, financial remedy and complex child arrangements, with supervision of junior solicitors, paralegals and trainees.

You will maintain high client service standards, manage a profitable caseload, stay abreast of legal developments, and contribute to professional standards within the firm.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with 5+ PQE in family law.
• Experience supervising junior solicitors, paralegals and trainees.
• Strong CPD/compliance awareness and risk management.
• Ability to manage complex divorce, financial remedy and child arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Apply strong understanding of Family law to deliver timely service.
• Manage a caseload from opening to archiving with accurate records.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legal developments and CPD requirements.
• Supervise, train and motivate junior solicitors and staff.
• Collaborate with the Department Head to organise the Family Department.
• Build and maintain client relationships through effective communication.
• Oversee financial performance: hours, billing and time recording.
• Ensure compliance with SRA rules and internal policies.
• Undertake other duties within scope as required.

Skills

Family law

Case management

Leadership

Client relations

Financial remedy

Education

Qualified solicitor

Job description

Senior Associate - Family

Department: Family

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Manchester

Reporting To: Elspeth Kinder

Description

This Senior Associate role will directly support the Head of Department and a Salaried Partner in delivering excellent results for clients across divorce, financial remedy and complex child arrangement proceedings, as well as pre- and post-nuptial agreements. The role will also involve some supervision of junior solicitors, paralegals and trainee solicitors.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply a strong understanding of Family law and procedures to deliver an effective, timely and efficient service that maintains high levels of client satisfaction
• Manage an agreed caseload of client matters profitably and efficiently, including opening, maintaining, closing and archiving files; keeping accurate physical and electronic records in the firm’s case management system; progressing matters to a high standard; and seeking input from the Head of Department, supervisor, specialists, agents or legal counsel where appropriate
• Maintain technical expertise by keeping up to date with legal developments and legislative changes, while meeting CPD and compliance requirements
• Supervise, train and motivate junior solicitors, paralegals, trainee solicitors and other junior staff where appropriate, recognising your accountability under the SRA Code of Conduct for work you undertake and legal work you delegate
• Work collaboratively with others, contribute to a positive, professional and inclusive working environment aligned to JMW’s values, and assist the Department Head with the organisation of the Family Department and maintenance of professional standards when requested
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, using effective business development, marketing, networking and communication skills
• Take responsibility for financial performance, including chargeable recoverable hours, billing, cash collection, work in progress, disbursements, timely invoicing, financial management and prompt, accurate time recording
• Comply with SRA requirements and expectations, including the SRA Accounts Rules, JMW’s internal policies and guidelines, and recognise and resolve potential risks to minimise risk to clients and/or the firm
• Undertake any other duties within the scope of your responsibility and ability, as required.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

This is an ideal role for an ambitious Senior Associate from a leading practice, ideally with at least 5+ years’ PQE (strong candidates outside this range will also be considered). You will also bring:

• Knowledge of Family law, principles and practices, with the ability to prepare, plan and effectively run Family cases.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to arrive at the best legal solutions for cases.
• Excellent IT skills, particularly using Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Experience of business development and marketing, with excellent networking and communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Management and supervisory skills, with the ability to train and motivate others effectively.
• A strong team-working ethic, with the ability to work well under pressure and take a proactive approach.
• Good financial performance.
• Ambition and a desire to progress.
• Experience of complex asset structures, including but not limited to private limited companies, trusts, defined benefit pensions and SIPPs/SSASs.