Senior Solicitor - Professional Indemnity

Weightmans Llp; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Weightmans Llp in the United Kingdom is seeking a senior solicitor with a strong background in Professional Indemnity and insurance disputes to manage a high-value caseload from Newcastle upon Tyne. You will lead complex cases and mentor junior lawyers while coordinating with clients, insurers and experts.

The role requires 5+ years PQE, solid expertise in policy coverage and claims handling, and a commercial, client-focused approach.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years' post-qualification experience (PQE).
• Established expertise in Professional Indemnity, especially construction matters and architect/ solicitor claims.
• Experience in insurance litigation and policy coverage analysis is essential.
• Experience in professional risk claims, reserving, and related processes.
• Understanding of commercial insurance policies, brokers, underwriters/insurers and lawyers relations is essential.
• Secondment to or employment with an insurance organisation would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Proactive management of your own caseload with limited supervision.
• Work as part of a team on large, complex, high value matters.
• Assist partners with their caseloads.
• Prepare detailed and technical reports, correspondence and court documents.
• Delegate to junior solicitors and support their development.
• Advise clients on liability and coverage issues.
• Liaise with insurer and insured clients, experts, witnesses, and counsel.
• Ensure compliance with client service level agreements and firm policies.
• Contribute to business development initiatives.
• Prepare management information and reporting.
• Develop/supervise trainees and paralegals.
• Assist with other work allocated by the Team Manager.

Skills

PQE 5+ years

Professional Indemnity

Insurance litigation

Policy coverage analysis

Commercial insurance policies

Team leadership

Job description

financial advisors); insurance policy coverage; insurance and reinsurance disputes; and claims relating to construction and property damage.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Proactive management of your own caseload with limited supervision required
• Working as part of a team on large, complex, high value matters
• Assisting the partners with their caseloads
• Preparing detailed and technical reports, correspondence and court documents
• Delegating to junior solicitors and supporting with their development
• Advising clients in relation to issues of liability and coverage
• Liaising with insurer and insured clients, experts, witnesses, counsel and other parties
• Ensuring compliance with client service level agreements, relevant policies and procedures
• Supporting and having autonomy to contribute to and develop business development initiatives
• Completion of management information
• Delegating to and developing/supervising trainees and paralegals
• Assisting with other work allocated by the Team Manager

Working in accordance with Weightmans' values

About You

You will have previous experience and a genuine and demonstrable interest in the above area of work.

We also require you to have/be:

• 5 years PQE plus (or equivalent)
• Well established expertise in Professional Indemnity, particularly construction matters and architect claims or claims against solicitors
• Experience of insurance litigation and policy coverage analysis is essential
• Experience of professional risk claims relating and reserving is essential
• Understanding of commercial insurance policies, the insurance market, reporting arrangements, reserving philosophies, and the relationship between brokers, underwriters/insurers and lawyers is essential
• Previous secondment to or employment with an insurance organisation would be advantageous
• Ability to work to deadlines / targets, to prioritise and manage a caseload
• Ability to work well as part of a team and on your own initiative
• A commercial, solution-driven and client-focused approach, with the ability to strategise
• Strong legal and analytical skills and an eye for detail
• Good organisation and time-management skills
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with a positive attitude
• Good IT skills
• teamwork skills

Why work for us

Come and join our award-winning organisation and be part of a team where people truly matter. Weightmans is a Leading national law firm, with strong international capabilities. Weightmans has been recognised as a leading employer for the 19th consecutive year at Britain's Top Employers awards, and ranking top 10 in the list, the firm has also secured top positions in Chambers UK. Join Weightmans as we continue our journey to becoming one of the UK's top 30 law firms.

Curious about what is it like to work at our firm? Visit our Life at Weightmans page for insights into our employee initiatives, responsible business commitments and much more!