Solicitor

Family, Southampton

Paris Smith LLP is one of the South’s largest regional law firms and has celebrated over 200 years in business. We are committed to ensuring that our clients have a positive experience with the firm, and to inspire and develop our people to reach their full potential. We are based in offices in Southampton and Winchester with 46 partners and employing 230 members of staff.

The Role

We are looking for two junior solicitors to join our highly regarded family team. We are ranked number one in the region by both Chambers and the Legal 500, with offices in Southampton and Winchester. The role will be predominantly based in Southampton assisting two partners in a wider department comprising of 11 specialist family lawyers, mediators and collaborative lawyers. This role presents a fantastic opportunity to work closely with two partners dealing with all aspects of family law, predominantly focusing on high-net-worth matrimonial finance and complex private law children matters. This is a challenging role but one which offers the chance to work with a close knit and supportive team of people who excel in their field.

Technical

• A solid understanding and experience of private family law matters commensurate with PQE

• Practical experience of drafting relevant family documents such as forms E, questionnaires, replies to questionnaires, court orders, statements, briefs to counsel and Children Act application forms

• Exceptional client care skills

• The ability to think strategically and focus on outcome rather than just process

• Understanding of basic commercial issues that may impact matrimonial financial cases, such as issues surrounding companies, trusts, tax and pensions

• An ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing

• A high standard of written accuracy, grammar, punctuation and attention to detail

Competencies

• Initially to provide support to the two partners with their caseload with a view to progressing to managing your own varied caseload

• Take responsibility for managing own time and work, including prioritising and being proactive where appropriate

• Keep up to date with changes in the law.

• Strong communication skills with team members

• Recognition and commitment to the importance of meeting time and financial targets

• Actively engage with marketing and business development activity

• Appropriate IT competency and ability commensurate with the role

• Work and behave in a professional manner and to the highest standards of the profession.

• Comply with procedures set out in the office manual, professional standards and any requirement set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The Candidate

• Some private family law experience is essential

• Highly organised and good time management

• Commercial mindset and the ability to think quickly

• Good team player

• Flexible and proactive approach

• Good IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)

• Willing to take ownership and be accountable and responsible for own work

• Resilience and ability to manage the challenges inherent in working in family law