Litigation Assistant

Salary: Competitive
Location: Chelmsford
Job Terms: Permanent / Full Time

Kennedys are on an upwards trajectory and are seeking to recruit a Litigation Assistant for their Chelmsford office in their Liability Insurance Division. This is a great opportunity to work on a high quality caseload for a variety of clients. The role will involve you being able to handle a mixed case load of mainly PL claims and to assist on larger EL and PL claims.

ABOUT US:
Kennedys is a leading international dispute resolution law firm, currently ranked number 29 in The Lawyer UK 200, with 19 offices globally, more than 1000 people and continually growing. We have offices in Auckland, Belfast, Birmingham, Brussels, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Dubai, Dublin, Hong Kong, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Maidstone, Manchester, Miami, Sheffield, Singapore, Sydney and Taunton.

Kennedys' client base includes general insurers/reinsurers, global composites, Lloyd's syndicates, underwriters, self-insured PLCs and self-insuring government bodies. Its lawyers provide a range of specialist legal services to industry sectors including construction, healthcare, insurance and reinsurance, local government, rail, maritime and international trade. The firm also advises clients on banking and finance, company and commercial law, employment, dispute resolution, liability and regulatory defence.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential:
 Good Academics

Desirable:
 FILEX qualified or studying towards ILEX qualification.

EXPERIENCE:

Essential:
 A minimum of 6 months* defendant litigation experience preferably within personal injury. (Claimant experience will be considered).
 Able to run own caseload with some supervision.
 To have had previous client contact and attendance at business development events.

Desirable:
 Fast track and/or Multi-track claims experience.
 Insurance subsidence experience.

*Where a level of experience is indicated, this is a guideline only and represents the amount of time we would usually expect a candidate to accumulate the requisite level of experience. This does not preclude applications from candidates with more or less experience.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:
 Ability to apply a commercial approach to claims in order to deliver economic solutions.
 To be proactive and take initiative.
 Strong communication skills both verbal and written.
 Ability to manage own time, excellent organisation skills.
 Strong technical and research skills.

PERSONALITY:
 Flexible attitude towards working practices and ability to adapt style as required.
 Confident in their own abilities and in their approach.
 Team player.
 To be approachable and responsive to both colleagues and clients.
 To be accountable and straightforward.
 To be professional and courteous in all dealings.
 Self-motivated and enthusiastic.

TEAM INFORMATION:
The teams in Chelmsford are known in particular for dealing with employers’, motor and public liability claims. The teams have also developed expertise including catastrophic, brain and psychiatric injury on behalf of insurers, self-insured and policyholders.

TYPE OF CLIENTS:
 Employers’ Liability/Public Liability Insurers
 Motor insurers
 Local authorities and London Boroughs
 Claims handlers

TYPE OF CASES:
 Employers’, motor and public liability
 General liability
 Catastrophic, brain and psychiatric injury

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO OFFER?:
At Kennedys we offer a vibrant and supportive working environment built upon our core values; we are approachable, and responsive, we show respect for people, we are trustworthy and straightforward and we ensure that we deliver economic solutions for our clients.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT:
We actively encourage all staff to develop in their chosen career by providing early responsibility, supervision and training.

QUALITY OF WORK:
We pride ourselves on the high quality instructions we receive.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Our staff are given many opportunities to meet clients, either at meeting or social events and are encouraged & expected to build on their own relationships.

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT:
To ensure the Firm retains its competitive edge in the market it is committed to investing in its lawyers and support staff. Our culture, values and people reflect the quality of work and client relationships we have. Investing in the learning and development of our staff ensures our employees' performance, across all roles and levels, mirror the Firm's core values and therefore the overall success of the Firm. We aim to provide regular, timely and fit for purpose training via the most appropriate medium, in accordance with the needs of the business.

BENEFITS PACKAGE:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package consisting of: 25 days annual leave, Life Assurance, Employee Assistance Programme, Corporate Gym Membership, Eyecare Vouchers, Early Years Childcare Voucher scheme, Employers Contributory Pension scheme, Private Health Insurance, Permanent Health Insurance, Corporate GP Service, Season Ticket Loan, Conveyancing fee contribution.