Solicitor - Personal Injury in Southampton

Keoghs is currently looking for a suitable 'Assistant Lawyer' to join one of our Lead Lawyers in our Southampton office. We are open to either full or part time hours.

The role offers an excellent opportunity to work within the Complex Injury Claims Team dealing with large loss claims. In this role you will assist the lead lawyer on complex, high value multi-track and catastrophic injury claims which may include EL/PL as well as RTA claims. Experience of indemnity, liability and complex medical issues is preferred and excellent attention to detail essential. Your work will be supervised and feedback given. The role also includes the need to engage with sophisticated senior claims handlers in long-standing insurance clients. In this role you may also be required to assist your Lead Lawyer in activities which enhance and develop Keoghs’ profile.

What you would be doing:

You will work as part of a team progressing each file from receipt of papers from the insurer client to resolution of the claim. The role will include:

• Working with the Lead Lawyer to manage a caseload of complex injury claims including high value multi-track large loss claims.

• Communicating with insurer clients, dealing with their queries and updating them as the matter progresses.

• Forensic analysis of voluminous quantum evidence, preparing chronologies, identifying anomalies and other relevant information across various sources and categories of evidence.

• Using your existing knowledge of complex injury symptomology to identify relevant issues within medical records in order to instruct medical experts, drawing key issues to their attention.

• Critical analysis of sources of liability evidence and identifying any gaps.

• Drafting concise technical advice on all aspects of claim handling to include advice on reserves, indemnity, liability, quantum and causation issues and claims resolution for strategy discussion with the Lead Lawyer.

• Proactively identifying next steps required on matter, discussing those aspects with the Lead Lawyer and taking action as agreed.

• Interviewing witnesses and drafting statements.

• Liaising with parties involved in claims including the insured, insurer, witnesses etc.

• Drafting pleadings and applications.

• Instructing counsel and attending conferences, JSMs, mediations both remotely and in person.

• Attend court in person or by telephone, attend trials, settlement conferences etc as required.

• Delivery of agreed performance targets and quality standards.

• Delegate assigned tasks for a Legal Assistant and/or Paralegal and be fully engaged in their development in terms of technical ability and achievement of objectives.

• Maintaining case managements systems with up to date management information for clients.

What we are looking for:

As well as all the key ingredients that make you a successful lawyer we are essentially looking for:

• Qualified solicitor, CILEX or proven relevant legal experience is essential.

• Experience of handling / assisting on RTA / EL / PL complex injury claims is essential

• Experience of indemnity, liability and quantum essential.

• Experience of working on cases complex medical issues

• Critical thinking and quantum analysis experience required.

• Understanding of case law and litigation practice and process, and Court Practice Rules.

• Ability to follow instruction and with attention to detail and to give clear instruction, direction and guidance to more junior members of the team.

What you will get in return:

• Competitive salary including current bonus scheme, paid monthly
• Benefits package to include: hybrid working 1 day per week in office, private medical insurance, permanent health insurance, critical illness cover, Health Care Cash Plan, Holidays 25 days plus 8 bank holidays (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days), Death In Service – after 1 year, Employer Pension Contribution, Cycle to Work Scheme, Tech Scheme, Season Ticket Loan, Gym Flex
• Development opportunities in client care/management
• Highly skilled mentors who are well known in the industry
• Opportunity to work alongside the Partners in order to progress your own development
• Long term career opportunities to develop your own area of specialism and your own mini -team

Thank you for your interest in this vacancy, we look forward to hearing from you. Please get in touch if you would like to have an informal conversation in the first instance.