Medical Negligence Lawyer – Barcan+Kirby, Bristol
This is a fantastic opportunity for a Lawyer to join our award-winning Medical Negligence team in Bristol, voted ‘Team of the Year’ by the Bristol Law Society.
The team is top tier ranked in both Chambers and Partners UK and the Legal 500, and several senior members of the team have also been individually recognised by both legal directories for their expertise.
Furthermore, the team comprises Law Society Clinical Negligence Accredited Solicitors and AvMA Specialist Clinical Negligence panel members, and all team members are encouraged to work towards panel membership.
You have will have the opportunity to work on a complex caseload on behalf of Claimants, with exposure to high-profile medical negligence claims of maximum severity in a well-resourced and well-supported environment.
The role
You will undertake fee-earning work and provide a profitable contribution to the department in line with the firm’s plans.
Some of the duties you can expect to be involved in are:
- Running a caseload of pre-action and litigated cases, and delivering excellent client service.
- As required, supporting individual members of the team with progressing casework on complex cases of maximum severity.
- Championing Barcan+Kirby’s values and actively supporting the firm’s objectives.
Fee-earning work
- Conducting and assisting fee earners with the conduct of matters on behalf of clients.
- Interviewing clients, taking instructions and preparing Witness Statements.
- Maintaining detailed file notes of instructions received, advice given and work carried out.
- Ensuring all communications are dealt with and maintained in keeping with our case management system.
- Progressing matters in a proactive, professional and efficient manner with the aim of concluding cases efficiently whilst achieving good outcomes for clients.
- Carrying out clients’ reasonable instructions promptly.
- Complying with all appropriate pre-litigation protocols.
- Drafting claims and other court documents.
- Attending costs and case management conferences and other court hearings on behalf of clients where appropriate or instructing Counsel to do so.
- Keeping clients informed as to the progress and anticipated costs of their cases.
- Obtaining a Partner’s written approval before entering any Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) with a client, ensuring that the terms of any CFA correspond with the terms authorised by a Partner and reporting on CFA cases as required.
- Complying with the firm’s office manual in all respects, e.g. file opening and closing procedure and client care etc.
- Selecting, instructing and assessing appropriate experts and Counsel.
- Advising clients of funding options and ensuring that there is appropriate funding in place in respect of all live client matters, e.g. CFAs, legal expenses insurance, trade union funding, or public funding.
- Checking all draft documents and checking and signing own post.
- To work proactively to maintain or achieve Law Society/AvMA panel membership.
Non-fee earning work
- Being committed to your personal professional development.
- Notifying a Partner of any indication of client dissatisfaction or complaint received.
- Sending reminders to privately fee-paying clients regarding outstanding bills and taking Court action where required to recover amounts due to the firm.
- Dealing with costs promptly at the conclusion of claims, both for the benefit of the firm and our clients.
- Participating in team, departmental and office meetings.
- Bringing examples of colleagues demonstrating the firm’s values to the attention of management and peers.
- Maintaining an adequate and up-to-date knowledge of the law and practice.
- Management of support services for which you are responsible, including supervision of your own secretary (if applicable).
- Participation in marketing and business development activities.
- Financial control with particular regard to cash flow control and billing procedures.
- Bringing any concerns you may have for a colleague’s welfare to the attention of management and peers to ensure that they are supported.
- Exercising high standards of client care in a professional and pleasant manner.
- Ensuring the confidentiality and security of the firm’s and clients’ documentation and information.
- Complying with the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules and the Rules on the Professional Conduct of Solicitors.
- Ensuring good working relationships with external institutions and organisations.
- Responding promptly and accurately to requests for information concerning case work from Partners and supervisors.
- Identifying public funding matters and complying with Legal Aid Regulations and the firm’s office manual.
- Any other reasonable duties as directed by your manager.
About us
Barcan+Kirby is well known in the Bristol legal market both as a provider of excellent legal services for individuals and businesses, and as a progressive employer.
We are committed to developing and nurturing our people, and encouraging positive wellbeing and mental health is central to our culture. When we say we offer a work/life balance, we mean it, and we were advocates for flexible working long before the Covid-19 pandemic.
We work hard to maintain a culture of kindness and friendliness, and we like to think that we do things a bit differently from other law firms.
The ideal candidate
Our ideal candidate will be a qualified Lawyer or FCILEx, with experience in clinical negligence and who is looking to specialise in this area of law.
You will be IT literate and confident using and adapting to new systems and processes. In addition, you will be enthusiastic about business development and eager to use your networking skills.
The ideal candidate will also have knowledge and experience of social media and networking as a business development tool.
Location and working hours
- This is a full-time role (office hours are 9am – 5.15pm, Monday to Friday)
- The role is based at our Queen Square office, with the option to apply for hybrid working upon successful completion of your probation
How to apply
Complete the form here