Local Government Solicitor

About your new role

Our Local Government team provides a full, expert service in defending public (PL) and employers' liability (EL), across the private sector and the public sector. Weightmans' team is second-to-none in providing defendant litigation services in these and other specialist Casualty areas. We operate on a national basis with a dedicated public sector team. We receive direct instructions from both insureds and insurers.

We are currently recruiting for a Principal Associate/Associate 5 years+ PQE to join our Local Government Team.

Working in the dedicated Local Government team based in Liverpool (although we will consider applicants nationwide if you are not based near Liverpool) with your own caseload of social care and safeguarding cases, including some group action cases.

You will be responsible for the running of the day-to-day aspects of your cases (alongside supervision by a specialist Partner) including liaising with clients, opponents, court, witnesses and undertaking your own liability investigations.

Types of law/responsibilities:

• Predominantly social care and safeguarding caseload
• Failure to remove/negligent removal
• Historic abuse
• Group Actions
• Provide strategic guidance and supervision to junior members of the team
• Complete MI procedures as and when required
• Achieve set financial and chargeable targets
• Ensure relevant deadlines, SLAs, quality measures and KPI’s are adhered to
• Comply with relevant policies and procedures
• Work in accordance with Weightmans’ values

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and you will be expected to perform other duties and have other responsibilities that fall within the wider remit of the role.

About You

As the role is varied, we are looking for you to have a flexible approach to the work you do and be able to adapt to different tasks. We also require you to have/be:

• Previous experience managing your own caseload of defendant social care / safeguarding claims is essential

• 5 years PQE+

• Good influencing skills

• Some experience of networking with, and delivering training to, clients is desirable

• A high level of commercial awareness

• Conscientious, self-motivated, hardworking, responsive, with critical thinking abilities and excellent communication, organisation and analytical skills

• A methodical, organised approach

• Passionate about growth, generating work opportunities both internally and externally

• Passionate about operational excellence generating work opportunities through great service delivery and improving the client experience

• Ability to work to strict deadlines, tight timetables, targets and client protocols while maintaining high standards in terms of accuracy and quality

• Excellent attention to detail and concentration

• Excellent IT skills

• Ability to multi-task and prioritise

• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative

If you meet our criteria and think this is a job where you could bring enthusiasm and commitment, then we look forward to receiving your application.

Why work for us

Come and join our award-winning organisation and team. Weightmans has been recognised as a leading employer for the 18th consecutive year at Britain’s Top Employers awards 2025, and ranking 5th in the list, the firm has also secured top positions in Chambers UK.

Embark on this journey with Weightmans towards becoming one of the Top 30 UK Law firms.

Why work for us? Take a look: Work for Weightmans: voted a top employer | Weightmans

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