Head of Professional Indemnity
- Recruiter
- Interlink Recruitment Limited
- Location
- Leeds, West Yorkshire
- Salary
- Competitive
- Posted
- 25 Mar 2021
- Closes
- 22 Apr 2021
- Ref
- KB/2713
- Job Title
- Partner
- Practice Area
- Professional Indemnity
- Contract Type
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full Time
TITLE: HEAD OF PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY
CONTRACT: PERMANENT
LOCATION: LEEDS
SALARY: £90,000+
THE TEAM
The GC & Risk team comprises over 50 lawyers and other team members. It acts as the internal legal function of the Firm, overseeing regulatory compliance in the UK and overseas, and supporting the business in analysing legal risk for the Firm in the work it undertakes. The team handles claims and complaints, oversees negotiation of the Firm's professional indemnity and other insurances, manages conflicts, negotiates key supplier contracts for the Firm and terms that govern key client relationships, is involved in strategic activity and supports the Firm's board.
The team, along with the rest of the Firm, has embedded a flexible and agile culture. Their working flexibly policy makes agile working accessible to all, whilst always balancing an individual's needs with the requirements of the team, the firm and its clients.
THE ROLE INVOLVES
Leadership/Team
- Supporting the GC, providing leadership to the Professional Indemnity Team (PI Team), including responsibility for several direct reports
- Alongside the GC, development of team members in line with the Firm's culture so that talent in the team is retained, developed and allowed to reach its full potential for the benefit of the business and the individuals.
- Live and communicate the vision for the team and help to refine and develop that vision.
- Managing the Firm's relationship with its professional indemnity insurance brokers and insurers (including disclosures and notifications to the Firm's brokers and insurers), and renewal of the Firm's PI, management liability, cyber and other insurances
Claims management.
- Investigate, handle and respond to complaints made against the Firm, or against individual lawyers within the Firm, ensuring that, wherever possible, the firm emerges with a stronger relationship with the complainant (whether internal or external) and that any reputational or litigation risk is managed. This includes initial liaison with partners and fee earners to gather information and understand the issues; advising on next steps and providing advice on compliance with the SRA Code of Conduct; reporting to insurers; investigating allegations and drafting Pre-Action Protocol letters of response; and, where necessary, working with panel firms and counsel. The aim is to drive forward issues to the earliest possible conclusion while preserving the client relationship to the extent possible
- Have effective day to day oversight of Professional Indemnity claims or potential claims which are or might be of major significance to the Firm.
- Where required, instruct and manage external counsel in advising the Firm on significant claims made (or which might be made) against the Firm.
- Supporting partners in handling complaints that are being dealt with at a Divisional level; and assisting the Firm's Complaints Partner in handling complaints in the final stage of the firm's internal complaints handling procedure. The aim is to provide a proactive complaints resolution service which balances the interests of the firm with maintaining the client relationship.
- Dealing with ad hoc internal enquiries relating to professional indemnity issues and questions of liability, including advising on relevant provisions in client terms
- Maintaining and reviewing a schedule of issues referred to the PI Team which may be resolved without loss or may subsequently become notifiable to insurers.
- Agreeing with the chief financial officer, and keeping under review, appropriate provisions for outstanding claims in the Firm's accounts and liaising with the Firm's auditors as part of the annual external audit
- Reporting to the Firm's Managing Partner, GC and the Board, including an annual "Review of the Indemnity Year" and Provisions Report for the annual accounts.
- Working alongside GC (who is also the Firm's COLP) in handling internal and regulatory investigations and reporting or responding to the SRA as appropriate.
- Corresponding with the Legal Ombudsman and SRA where complaints have been made to them regarding the Firm or any of its lawyers.
- Delivering claims training to new Partners, Managing Associates and newly qualified solicitors as part of their induction programmes
- Delivering claims training across the firm, looking specifically at issues arising in individual teams and examining ways to improve quality of work and avoid repeat errors; and at wider Code compliance areas including supervision.
Compliance/Risk
- Contribute to the compliance strategy, structures and processes of the Firm, ensuring that what can be learned from claims and complaints is addressed in the Firm's future conduct and business to avoid similar issues arising.
- Support and advise individual lawyers on matter related issues, as a trusted adviser
- Drafting and maintaining relevant policies and procedures, such as those relating to claims, complaints and file transfer; and contributing to wider risk management policies
- Maintaining claims and complaints records for reporting to the firm's insurers and the SRA as appropriate
- Responding to file transfer requests, including those made pursuant to s.234 Companies Act to the extent that there may be claims issues; or the relevant fee earners have left the firm and so are unavailable to deal with these.
- Assisting the GC and wider team when issues arise relating to new clients or transactions, such as those involving novel ways of working, looking particularly at insurance and liability issues.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- An eye for detail whilst being able to see ‘the big picture'.
- An ability to tailor your approach to every client (likely to be a member of the firm) and deliver a high-quality legal service and timely solution that is tailored for them.
- The ability to present information in a clear, concise and logical manner and to achieve effective communication across international boundaries, mindful of different cultural norms.
- Gets things done.
- Prepared to give answers rather than a list of options. Flexible, commercial and solution driven in approach.
- Able to be a ‘lawyer to the lawyers' and demonstrate the judgment, experience and insight which would command respect from that population.
- In-depth understanding of the regulatory regime as it applies to law firms in the UK. It would be an advantage to have an in-depth knowledge for other jurisdictions, too.
- Excellent influencing and persuasive skills – the ability to win over others and/or to achieve partner sponsorship for projects and initiatives.
- Strength of character and resilience
- Ability to work to deadlines, juggle multiple projects and deliver under pressure.
- A practical and common-sense approach
- Ability to deal with confidential matters with discretion.
If you're interested in this position, and you meet the requirements of the role, please click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV. Alternatively, if you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Kyle Bancroft for a confidential discussion.
Our advertisements use salary and experience as a guide only. Interlink Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer.
*Please Note: Due to the high volume of applications we are currently receiving we are unable to contact applicants who have been unsuccessful