Senior Associate- Insurance (Complex Claims)

Forbes Solicitors LLP; Leeds; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Annual leave purchase scheme

Enhanced family friendly policies

Enhanced sick pay

Volunteering leave

Professional development

Profit share

Long service awards

Staff discounts

Job summary

Forbes Solicitors in Leeds seeks a Senior Associate to join the Insurance (Complex Claims) team. The role is full-time, 36.25 hours weekly, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, with a focus on complex Employers and Public Liability claims and strategic client guidance.

You will work alongside Partners to manage diverse caseloads, supervise junior staff, and drive business development while upholding ISO:9001 quality standards and SRA Code of Conduct.

Qualifications

• Must be a qualified Solicitor (or CILEX equivalent) with 7 years PQE.
• Experience in Employers and Public Liability claims.
• Expert knowledge of CPR and Insurance litigation processes.
• Experience advising commercial organisations and insurers.
• Experience conducting advocacy/attendance at courts/tribunals.
• Experience supervising Solicitors and support staff.
• Ability to generate fees in line with targets.
• Strong client care and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Handle or support on a varied caseload of Defendant Insurance claims (Employers/Public Liability).
• Advise on complex liability, contractual and indemnity issues.
• Provide expert legal advice and strategic guidance to clients.
• Ensure profitability and attainment of KPIs including time recording and service delivery.
• Complete legal tasks, including research, drafting and liability calculations.
• Analyse matters, assess risks and determine case strategies.
• Negotiate, mediate or litigate to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Deliver exceptional client care and maintain clear communication.
• Represent clients in court or liaise with counsel as needed.

Skills

Defendant Insurance claims

Court/tribunal advocacy

Client relationship management

Legal research & drafting

Team supervision

Business development

CPD compliance

Education

Qualified Solicitor

CILEX equivalent

Tools

PfW case management

MS Office

Job description

Role

Forbes Solicitors are looking for a Senior Associate to join our Insurance (Complex Claims) team based at our Leeds office. This is a full-time role working 36.25 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 9am until 5pm.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Complex Claims Solicitor who is looking to progress their career and bring their skills and knowledge to a collaborative and professional team. Whilst the role will be working to the fast-paced, customer focused and high standards of a law firm, the role will also provide a sustainable work-life balance and relate to the regional area in which it is based.

This exciting opportunity allows you to work in a supportive environment both working alongside the Partners in the team assisting on complex matters including Catastrophic Loss and also handling your own diverse caseload of complex Defendant Insurance related claims– primarily consisting of Employers and Public Liability Claims resulting from injuries.

The role will be responsible for delivering successful outcomes such as:

• Handling or supporting on a varied case load of Defendant Insurance related claims– primarily consisting of Employers and Public Liability Claims resulting from injuries.
• Advising on complex liability, contractual and indemnity issues.
• Provision of expert legal advice and strategic guidance to clients.
• Ensuring profitability and the successful attainment of all KPIs including time recording, financial management, and service delivery.
• Accurate completion of legal tasks and documentation, within the Solicitor’s area of expertise; this may include legal research analysis, drafting, and calculation of financial liability.
• Analyse legal matters, assessing risks, and determining case strategies.
• Negotiating, mediating, or litigating to achieve optimal client outcomes.
• Delivery of exceptional client care and maintain clear and effective communication.
• Represent clients in court or liaise with counsel as needed.
• Ensuring compliance with internal and external business requirements including ISO:9001 quality control, SRA Principles / Code of Conduct, and Court & Tribunal deadlines.
• Staying current and up to date with legal developments through ongoing CPD.
• Contributing to the management delivery of the department through strategic activities, business development, and people management responsibilities.
• Building positive relationships with current/prospective clients and enhancing the Firm’s profile, to drive business growth.

The Person

We will be progressing applicants to the next stage based on their demonstrated knowledge, experience, and skills in:

Essential

• Be a qualified Solicitor (or CILEX equivalent), 7 years PQE.
• Demonstratable experience and expert knowledge of Employers and Public Liability claims.
• Expert knowledge of CPR and Insurance litigation processes.
• Previous experience of advising commercial organisations and dealing with insurers.
• Experience conducting their own advocacy/attending courts/tribunals.
• Previous experience supervising Solicitors and support staff.
• Previous experience using legal case management systems (e.g., PfW) to support the delivery of services.
• Proven experience of handling own caseload, working to and managing deadlines, alongside the capability to generate fees in accordance with agreed target.
• Demonstrates good client care skills, providing professional and competent legal advice in accordance with SRA Code of Conduct.
• Excellent attention to detail, including proof-reading and editing skills to ensure accuracy and quality of legal documents.
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritise tasks, manage time effectively, and coordinate multiple activities simultaneously to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrates the ability to work as part of a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with clients, colleagues, and external parties.
• Demonstrates excellent IT skills and the ability to use multiple platforms such as word, excel, outlook and other case management systems/databases.
• Previous experience with Business Development activities, with the ability to network with potential clients and introduce them to the Firm.
• Aligns with the Firm’s values.

Desirable

• Previous experience handling/working on complex matters in the sports and/or construction sectors.
• Previous experience of high value/catastrophic loss work.

The Firm

At Forbes Solicitors, we believe in creating a supportive and collaborative environment where our team members can thrive and develop themselves and others. We offer a comprehensive range of legal services and have offices across the North, with deep roots in Lancashire. Our team are known for its genuine, practical advice and passion for achieving the best results. We are real people who listen to each other and work together to deliver exceptional service.

We are proud to have been awarded UK Employer of the Year: Silver (250+) at the Investors in People Awards 2024 and the Firm is ranked as a Legal 500 Top Tier Firm and a Chambers and Partners Leading Firm.

We are a values led Firm and are looking for people who embody our values: authenticity, striving for exceptional results, and unity in teamwork to join our award-winning Firm.

The Benefits

We are dedicated to supporting our people and offer a range of benefits, including:

• 33 days annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Annual leave purchase scheme (Subject to T&Cs).
• Enhanced family friendly policies and pay for Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Celebration and Volunteering leave.
• Ongoing professional development and progression opportunities.
• Profit share scheme.
• Additional long service awards.
• Subsidised tuck shops.
• Staff discount on Firm services.
• Health care benefits (Health Cash Back Plan and Mental Health Counselling Services).
• BUPA (Solicitor positions only, for self, not dependants).
• Retail and gym membership discounts.
• Recruitment and legal department referrals (Subject to T&Cs).
• Annual Events.

Forbes is an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident employer, accredited by Investors in People and ISO 9001 Quality Management certified. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment, service provision, and supplier engagement, and strive to maintain a workforce that reflects the local community.