Associate - Claims Team

The role:

We are looking for an associate solicitor (but will consider applications from assistant solicitors and N.Q.s) to join our Claims Team. This role is ideal for a litigator with a passion for problem-solving, who is willing, within a close-knit and supportive team, to learn and upskill when necessary and who has a pragmatic approach to complex legal and practical challenges. Initially your clients will be the Ampa Group and its people, but, in due course, we plan to expand our team and its wider offering to external clients as part of building a governance work stream.

What you will be doing:

• Supporting our legal director in triaging and overseeing incoming work – which is predominantly professional indemnity work but which includes any claims relating to our management liability, office and cyber insurance policies.
• Developing and managing a caseload of claims work.
• Notifying claims and circumstances which may lead to claims to our insurers and brokers.
• Managing claims which we conduct in accordance with a delegated authority from our insurers, and our external solicitors regarding higher value cases.
• Attending meetings with insurers and brokers.
• Internal reporting.
• Reporting to our insurers.
• Assisting with data breaches, information security and cyber incidents.
• Act as a reserve to our partner and legal director in business continuity tests, and real life incidents.
• Handle a variety of litigation and other legal matters as the team’s work extends beyond claims and circumstances which may lead to claims.
• Provide operational support to our Portfolio Brands.
• Collaborate with the firm’s risk and compliance team on internal matters.
• Supervisory work regarding our paralegal, and other paralegals we may utilise from our shared legal resource pool.
• Working with the team in the coming years to develop a governance function to market to external clients.

What you will need:

• Qualified solicitor with three years PQE (or equivalent experience).
• Background in litigation, ideally with some exposure to professional indemnity work.
• Commercially astute with a solutions-focused mindset.
• The confidence to make decisions and back your own judgment – and sound instincts as to when to escalate an issue within our team.
• A working knowledge of the SRA’s Standards & Regulations (for example, the rules regarding ‘own client conflicts’).
• Exceptional drafting skills and legal research ability.
• Excellent communication and client-handling skills.
• Experience of case and document management systems and a high degree of I.T. literacy.
• A team player with a proactive and adaptable approach.
• The role requires time recording and so experience in this regard is desirable but training can be provided.

Please note that we are seeking an individual who has the mindset and talent for this role. Thus, if you believe you have ‘what it takes’ and are a litigation solicitor with a ‘can do’ attitude, a willingness to upskill, and the confidence to advise partners and fee-earners in (often) stressful situations, please consider applying. Please do not be deterred from applying just because you do not ‘tick all of the boxes’ in this job description.

Benefits, Agile Working and Additional information

We embrace agile working and offer a blended approach to where and how we work.

We appreciate that people have different needs and preferences and we’re keen to be flexible, after all, we value what you do, not where you do it.

We have hubs in Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leicester, London, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Solihull, Southampton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Lincoln and Sheffield.

Want to find out more about our amazing benefits?

Additional information:

Please be aware, for some vacancies, where we receive high numbers of applications we may need to bring the close date forward.

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. Details of the checks can be found here.

Equal opportunities

Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

About Shakespeare Martineau

Welcome to Shakespeare Martineau, where we're more than just a full-service law firm. With over 1100 specialists, including lawyers and business support professionals, we're committed to unlocking potential in our people and clients, inspiring confidence, growth, and development.

Our purpose is clear: we provide creative solutions and advice that help individuals and businesses achieve their commercial and personal goals. But what truly sets us apart is our focus on building lasting relationships and championing our clients, ensuring they receive the best possible business and personal advice.

At Shakespeare Martineau, it's our people who make us special. We understand what our team members want and give them the support they need to succeed. Recognising everyone's contribution and harnessing the unique power of teams, we work together to achieve success.

Diversity is at the heart of our firm. We actively build and develop diverse teams, bringing together different backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives to deliver amazing solutions for our clients. We believe in playing to our strengths, constantly striving to improve, and empowering our teams with individual responsibility for their own learning and growth.

Join us at Shakespeare Martineau and become a valued member of a team where we unlock your potential, appreciate your contributions, and achieve success together.

As part of Ampa, we are part of a large multi-brand group, all of our brands are linked by a shared purpose and set of values that brings about a positive, inclusive and diverse work culture - helping everyone achieve their ambitions.