What does the role involve?
We are looking for a senior Solicitor who is 7 years PQE plus to join our growing team in Leeds ( Legal 500 : Tier 1 for Professional Negligence). You will be based in the Leeds office, working with Partners Neil Howes and Liam Burnett and the wider Insurance Disputes National Service Line (NSL) led by Niall Innes .
You will have a good background in commercial litigation and/or professional indemnity litigation including up to date pre-action and litigation procedural knowledge. In addition and ideally (but not essential) you will have some experience of the insurance market.
We are looking for someone ideally at Principal Associate level, although strong Senior Associate candidates will also be considered.
At this level, you will be expected to perform as follows:
Client service 
  • Deliver outstanding client service to both internal and external clients to encourage client retention and referrals
  • Have a sound understanding of clients’ legal, commercial and service requirements
  • Have effective client relationship and client service skills
  • Demonstrate strong business development credentials in terms of growth from existing clients and bringing in new work
 Technical excellence
  • Have strong technical competence and knowledge of professional indemnity litigation
  • Deliver high quality and commercially focussed advice
  • Carry out supervision of junior lawyers
Areas of work are:
The work is predominantly professional indemnity work acting for members of various professions (primarily lawyers (both solicitors and barristers), construction professionals, accountants, insurance brokers, Independent Financial Advisers and surveyors). Clients are located nationally, with work referred at their nomination or directly by insurers, most of which are located close to our London office but with developed regionally based teams.
The person
You will be 7 plus years¿ PQE gained in a reputable firm with a substantive professional indemnity practice.
Skills and attributes
Given the nature of this role, it is likely that your background and experience will include the following:
  • Good academics ¿ 2.1 degree or equivalent with good A levels or equivalents
  • Clear enthusiasm for professional indemnity
  • Self-starting with common sense and initiative, and ability to work as a team-player working on complex matters
  • Great time and documentation management skills
  • Keen attention to detail
  • Ability to supervise and assist more junior lawyers
  • Ability to build very good relationships with clients and potential clients
  • Excellent interpersonal and team skills, including ability to work with others, influence and persuade
  • High level of IT skills
  • Good research skills, including an ability to use online information sources
  • Marketing and business development skills
  • Litigation experience
What else should I know?
This is an ideal opportunity to build your skills and experience with a major UK law firm, listed as one of the ¿Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For¿ for the last 18 years – the only law firm to achieve this. This year we were named as Roll on Friday¿s Firm of the Year. We have also achieved the much sought after Three Star Accreditation and been named as one of 100 Best Mid-Sized Companies to Work For as a result of outstanding levels of staff engagement and the firm¿s commitment to creating a positive working environment for all employees.
Mills & Reeve is a major UK law firm renowned for its outstanding service to national and international clients, for its collaborative culture and for its deep sector expertise.
Pre-employment screening
Please note that, in the event that we make an offer of employment, we will conduct pre-employment screening that includes checks relating to your professional and academic qualifications, references from previous employers, your eligibility to work in the UK and any disciplinary history recorded with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). You will also be required to complete a self-declaration to assess your character and suitability.
Disclosure and barring service check and security clearance
This post is also subject to a satisfactory response from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (to check for any previous criminal convictions) and, given the nature of the work-type, you may also be required to undergo national security vetting to SC level ¿ the latter can be undertaken following commencement of employment.
And finally
Mills & Reeve is committed to building a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive environment in which all our people can thrive. We hire people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our firm stronger, and we have a collaborative culture that celebrates different perspectives and values respect for one another, working together, and openness and integrity. Our approach to flexible working means that we work in a way that achieves the right balance for our people, our clients and for our business.