Solicitor (4+PQE) - Product Liability

Department: Legal

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London UK

Description

Keoghs LLP, a leading insurance law firm in the UK, is seeking a talented insurance lawyer to join our dynamic Property Risks and Coverage Team. With a flexible location policy and the opportunity for hybrid working, this is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to make a real impact. We do, however, require a minimum of one day per week in the office.
As part of our team, you'll collaborate on large and complex cases, tackling some of the most significant product liability and insurance coverage claims in the UK. Your role will involve handling your own caseload while supporting a Partner on high-value cases often exceeding GBP 1 million.
You'll also participate in delivering training seminars and workshops to various insurer clients, contributing to client development, and preparing and presenting seminars on technical legal issues. If you're ready to take on challenging and rewarding work in a supportive and innovative environment, we'd love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

Case Management:

When assisting a Partner on complex and high-value cases, tasks will include:

• Reviewing documents and preparing draft advices to clients.
• Crafting bespoke coverage advices.
• Conducting thorough investigations.
• Supporting all aspects of the litigation process.
• Analysing issues of coverage, liability, quantum, and strategy.
• Preparing first draft instructions to counsel and experts.
• Performing legal research.
• Attending client meetings, strategy discussions, and conferences for note-taking and follow-up
• Ensuring compliance with SRA Standards & Regulations.

For Cases Managed Independently:

• Independently handle a caseload from start to finish with minimal supervision.
• Handle all aspects of case management.
• Draft applications and court proceedings.
• Engage in settlement negotiations, roundtable discussions, and ADR.

Note: The above is not an exhaustive list and other tasks may be delegated as required.

Working Hours

• 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm, with 1 unpaid hour for lunch.
• Primary location is London, with additional hours as needed to meet client and court obligations.

Join us and thrive in a role that balances independence and teamwork, ensuring you grow professionally while making a significant impact!

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Legal Qualification: Solicitor/FILEX
• Experience: Previous defendant product liability insurance litigation experience
• Knowledge: Thorough understanding of disputes and claims handled by the department and our insurer clients
• Technical Expertise: Familiarity with product liability, Consumer Protection Act, breach of contract, negligence, property law, and insurance coverage issues
• Time management: Excellent time management skills, ability to prioritise appropriately, record time appropriately and comply with guidelines, and meet chargeable time targets.
• Proactivity: Ability to think ahead and proactively drive cases forward.

Desirable:

• Customer Relations: Experience dealing with challenging customers
• Work generation: Ability to generate work externally and from within Keoghs
• Delegation and supervision: Ability to delegate work and supervise junior fee earners.
• Business Development: Desire to assist with BD, training to clients, article writing, and contribute to the Product Liability Special Interest Group

Required Soft Skills:

• Prioritisation: Strong ability to manage and prioritise workload effectively
• Attention to Detail: Keen eye for detail in all tasks
• Technical Proficiency: Comfortable working with case management systems
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills for liaising with senior claims handlers and managing major litigation

Benefits

• Davies Incentive Plan
• 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
• Family Cover Private Medical Insurance (Bupa) - will automatically be at single cover level but can opt into family option within first month of joining.
• Simply Health Care Cash Plan
• WeCare - 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing covering a whole host of topics to do with health, mental health, wellbeing & healthy living and financial & legal wellbeing
• Death in Service
• Critical Illness Cover
• PHI/Income Protection (Private health insurance)
• Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer
• Employee Resource Groups
• Employee Volunteering Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme*
• Tech Scheme*
• Season Ticket Loan*
• Gym Flex*
• Access to Online Discount Sites
• Discounted Gourmet Society Membership
• Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide
• Discounts at local retail outlets

* after successfully completing probation