Solicitor Advocate

Kennedys; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Manchester is seeking a Solicitor Advocate to join their Motor team within the Liability Defence department. This role involves representing clients in hearings and trials, advising on complex liability issues, and mentoring junior team members. Ideal candidates will have over 2 years of litigation experience, particularly in motor or personal injury claims. The firm offers a competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

Competitive salary and bonus structure

Hybrid working arrangements

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience in litigation and advocacy, ideally within motor litigation or personal injury.
• Proven ability to handle hearings and trials independently.
• Experience in credit hire, indemnity, fraud, and serious injury claims is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients at OIC and MOJ hearings, trials and applications.
• Conduct advocacy in the County Court related to motor litigation.
• Advise clients on claim strategies and procedural matters.
• Draft pleadings and legal opinions.
• Mentor junior team members.

Skills

Litigation experience

Advocacy skills

Strong communication skills

Courtroom experience

Education

Qualified Solicitor, FCILEx or Barrister

Job description

Kennedys is looking for a Solicitor Advocate to join our market‑leading Motor team within our Liability Defence department. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a dynamic, highly regarded team that advises major insurers, self‑insured corporates and fleet operators.

Team

Our Motor team is one of the leading legal teams in the UK for handling defendant motor claims, providing expert advocacy, litigation strategy and advisory services. The team represents insurers, large corporates and self‑insured entities in defending claims ranging from low‑value disputes to high‑value, complex injury litigation.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent clients at OIC and MOJ hearings, trials and application hearings.
• Conduct advocacy in the County Court in relation to motor‑related litigation.
• Advise clients on claim strategies, procedural matters and complex liability issues.
• Handle personal injury cases, ensuring a proactive and strategic approach to litigation.
• Draft pleadings, skeleton arguments and legal opinions.
• Work collaboratively with partners, legal directions, senior associates, associates and litigation assistants to provide pragmatic and commercial legal solutions.
• Mentor and develop junior team members in advocacy and litigation skills.

Required Experience

• Qualified Solicitor, FCILEx qualified or Barrister.
• 2+ years’ experience in litigation and advocacy, ideally within motor litigation or personal injury cases.
• Strong courtroom experience, with a proven ability to handle hearings, trials and applications independently.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to provide clear and strategic advice to clients.
• Experience handling credit hire, indemnity, fraud and serious/catastrophic injury claims is an advantage.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Hybrid working and flexible working arrangements.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment with clear career‑progression opportunities.

About Kennedys

Kennedys is a global law firm with expertise in dispute resolution and advisory services. With over 2,750 people worldwide across 47 offices in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and America, we have some of the most respected legal minds in their field. Our lawyers handle both contentious and non‑contentious matters and provide a range of specialist legal services for many industry sectors, with particular expertise in litigation and dispute resolution, especially in defending insurance and liability claims.

Kennedys is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. We expect all employees to be aware of and comply with all relevant policies and procedures within their jurisdiction.