Solicitor/Associate - Clinical Risk

DAC Beachcroft; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a Solicitor/Associate to join their dynamic Clinical Risk team in Manchester. This role offers an exciting chance to work on a diverse caseload of defendant clinical negligence cases, providing commercially focused legal advice to clients including NHS Resolution and Trusts. Ideal candidates will possess strong technical skills, a client-oriented mindset, and the ability to mentor junior staff. Join a progressive firm that values innovation and teamwork, and take your career to the next level in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Solicitor with experience in clinical negligence or insurance law, ideally 0-5+ PQE.
• Strong technical skills and a client-focused approach are essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clinical negligence claims and provide legal advice.
• Supervise junior fee earners and contribute to business development.

Skills

Clinical Negligence Law

Insurance Law

Client Relationship Management

Negotiation Skills

Legal Writing

Business Development

Team Leadership

Organizational Skills

Commercial Awareness

IT Case Management

Education

Solicitor Qualification

Job description

Solicitor/Associate - Clinical Risk

Department: Clinical Risk

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Manchester

Description

DAC Beachcroft are seeking a 0-5+PQE Solicitor/Associate to join our Manchester office. This role presents an excellent opportunity for an ambitious and passionate individual to join an award-winning, progressive and highly specialised team.

Our Clinical Risk cluster is the biggest nationally, handling a challenging but fulfilling caseload of defendant clinical negligence work, acting for a variety of clients, which may include work for NHS Resolution, NHS Trusts, MDU, independent providers, and medical malpractice insurers.

Key Responsibilities

1. Handle a challenging caseload of defendant clinical negligence work on behalf of NHS Resolution. This will include drafting pleadings, witness statements and letters of response, conducting face to face negotiations and mediation of claims as well as preparing counter schedules.
2. Act as first and primary contact for clients on a day to day basis providing them with commercially focused legal advice.
3. Adhere closely to client protocol and process.
4. Provide supervision and coaching to junior fee earners.
5. Make an appropriate contribution to non-fee earning activity e.g. knowledge sharing, training, client seminars, and business development.
6. Comply with the required standards for internal procedures e.g. financial management of files, billing regimes etc. as well as the specific requirements of individual clients.
7. Write articles for publication both for in-house and external publications.
8. Handle confidential information in line with the firm's data security protocols.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

1. A Solicitor with experience in defendant or claimant clinical negligence, or defendant insurance law. Ideally 0-5+ PQE, however we are happy to consider applications at all levels.
2. Experience gained within an NHS Resolution panel firm would be preferable (but not essential) as would an understanding of the NHS and their business drivers, including knowledge of and ability to deliver against client protocols and KPIs.
3. Strong technical skills and an ability to understand and work through complex issues.
4. A demonstrable ability to adopt a commercial perspective rather than an 'academic' approach to legal issues and to be highly client focused.
5. Ability to operate with a high level of self-sufficiency, combined with an awareness of the boundaries of own competence/authority.
6. Team oriented and collegiate with an experience of and a willingness to mentor, coach and supervise less experienced members of teams.
7. Exposure to and success within business development activities.
8. Confident communicator with an ability to develop relationships, undertake client marketing and influence at all levels. Ability to deal confidently and professionally with clients on day to day issues, building up strong relationships.
9. Strong organisation skills to ensure a pragmatic and methodical approach to handling a variety of clinical negligence claims simultaneously, through an IT case management system.
10. Change oriented with a positive, flexible approach towards the implementation of new initiatives.
11. Able to handle a complex and constantly changing workload and to work under pressure.
12. Detail conscious with a concern for quality.