Housing Disrepair Solicitor

Title: Housing Disrepair Solicitors - Director level

A Legal 500, Leading law firm looking to recruit dedicated and experienced Housing Solicitors (Director level) for highly sought permanent position.

Gemini Recruitment are currently partnering with a large and established law firm. Our client serves corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 practice areas from offices throughout London and across England and Wales. Our client's accomplishments are acknowledged and recommended in The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, as a top tier firm.

Housing Department Background:

Our client's Housing team, ranked by The Legal 500 directory for its services across England and Wales, provides assistance to both landlords and tenants on all housing issues. Their practitioners are highly experienced in finding solutions to housing disputes and aim to address the issues quickly and effectively. Our client offers lawyer supported dispute resolution or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as a means to resolve housing disrepair matters. Their department also regularly represents clients in the courts for unlawful eviction, possession proceedings and prepare applications for judicial review in cases of homelessness.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Report directly to and collaborating with the Board to ensure performance targets are met
• Lead and develop the Housing Disrepair practice, providing technical expertise and strategic direction.
• Manage a varied caseload of Housing Disrepair matters, including complex claims.
• Ability to manage and supervise Solicitors, Trainee Solicitors and Caseworkers to manage appropriate caseload types and complexities
• Ensure compliance with SRA, Legal Aid Agency and internal quality standards.
• Prepare and review pre-action correspondence, pleadings, witness statements, schedules of loss and settlement agreements.
• Instruct and liaise with surveyors, experts, local authorities, housing associations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Undertake advocacy where appropriate and oversee complex litigation matters.
• Assist with the delivery of training, supervision and professional development within the department.
• Prepare and manage Legal Aid funding applications where applicable.
• Identify opportunities for strategic litigation and departmental growth.
• Maintain excellent client care standards and manage sensitive client matters effectively.
• Participate in business development, networking and marketing initiatives to grow the Housing Disrepair practice.

Key Skills Required

• Qualified Solicitor with 3+ years' PQE and a proven track record in Housing Disrepair litigation, including the management of claimant disrepair claims.
• Must hold a clean and valid Practising Certificate at the time of application.
• Extensive knowledge of landlord and tenant law and housing disrepair claims.
• Proven experience managing Housing Disrepair matters from initial instruction through to conclusion.
• Must meet the 2013 SQM Supervisor standard in Housing, or be willing to work towards this.
• Strong management and supervisory skills.
• Previous experience of leading or supervising legal teams.
• Experience working to contractual requirements, quality standards and key performance indicators.
• Excellent drafting, litigation and case management skills.
• Professional and proactive approach with exceptional client care skills.
• Ability to deal sensitively and effectively with vulnerable clients.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to motivate and develop team members.
• Excellent networking, communication and business development skills.
• Working knowledge of publicly funded Housing work, including legal representation and legal help, together with the ability to service privately funded matters.
• Experience of undertaking own advocacy is advantageous.
• Excellent IT skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office applications, document and case management systems.
• Ability to contribute to marketing activities and promote the department through various channels, including social media.

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other duties as reasonably required.

What we offer:

• A fantastic supportive team
• Strong career progression with support for legal awards and professional recognition
• Attractive salary package with supervision bonus

On offer is an attractive salary package, a supportive team environment and real prospects for promotion. The Company will allow hybrid-working in accordance with the company policy.

About Gemini Recruitment and Equal opportunities:

Gemini Recruitment is a leading recruitment agency specialising in legal recruitment. We provide a highly focused service specialising in placements for Solicitors, Legal Executives, Trainee Solicitors, Paralegals and Legal Support Staff. We have intimate knowledge of specific opportunities in the legal market across the UK.

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