Children Panel Solicitor

GT Stewart Ltd; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Birmingham seeks a Children Panel Solicitor to join their Family Department. Candidates should be passionate about publicly funded work, have at least 3 years of PQE, and strong advocacy skills. The role involves advising on child care matters, managing caseloads, and undertaking advocacy. A supportive environment with hybrid working is offered, alongside competitive benefits.

Benefits

Profit sharing through bonuses

Pension Scheme

Firm laptop and mobile phone

Cycle to work scheme

Ongoing training and development

Supportive supervision from mentors

Annual appraisals and salary reviews

Bi-annual parties for Summer and Christmas

Qualifications

• At least 3 years PQE in child care law.
• Previous experience with a following is highly desirable.
• Experience in advocacy and a passion for publicly funded work.

Responsibilities

• Advise and assist team members on child care work.
• Manage appropriate caseloads of varying complexities.
• Undertake advocacy to ensure consistency for clients.
• Handle public law, child protection, SGO, and adoption matters.

Skills

Advocacy

Attention to detail

Excellent client care skills

Team collaboration

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Solicitor or Legal Executive qualification

Law Society’s Children Law accreditation

Job description

Overview

We are a renowned award-winning, multiservice “fantastic, forward thinking” law firm committed to access for justice with offices nationwide. We are recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK. Our lawyers specialise in criminal defence, family law, housing, civil liberties and human rights. We are a Legal 500 and Chambers UK recommended firm who are currently recruiting a Children Panel Solicitor to join our Family Department at our Birmingham office.

We are regulated by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority and are paperless, with over 250 personnel across the firm. We embrace hybrid working and are committed to justice and ensuring that Every Client Matters.

You will be joining our Child Care department headed by Max Konarek and Ryan Booth where the team represent parents, Guardians, children, adopters, foster carers, kinship carers and advise on all matters of child care law. We have a number of members of the Law Society Children’s Panel as well as Family Panel and Resolution accredited specialists. We also undertake Child Abduction work and have the benefit of a team of expert lawyers who can assist.

Role we are looking to fill

We are looking for:

• A Children Panel member with a guardian following to join our family team in our London branches
• A committed lawyer who will undertake all aspects of child care work including advising and assisting other team members;
• Work with a team to manage appropriate caseloads with varying complexities;
• Undertake advocacy where possible to ensure consistency for our clients;
• Undertake a variety of work including public law, child protection, SGO and adoption matters.
• At least 3 years PQE;
• High driven and committed team player to foster and develop ongoing change and encourage cross referrals of work;
• Previous experience of this level of work and a following is highly desirable;
• Have a passion for publicly funded work;
• Encourage development in the team.

About you

• Have a passion for publicly funded work
• Have experience in advocacy with a keen desire to develop
• Attention to detail and the confidence to work independently as well as in a team
• Solicitor or Legal Executive
• Hold Law Society’s Children Law accreditation
• Excellent client care skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and remain calm whilst under pressure

Employee benefits with GTS

• Profit sharing through bonuses, based on billing and meeting targets.
• Pension Scheme with employer contribution.
• Administrative support.
• Firm laptop and mobile phone
• Cycle to work scheme
• Ongoing training and development.
• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Support from colleagues for case cover.
• Supportive supervision from mentors.
• Annual appraisals and salary reviews.
• Bi-annual parties for Summer and Christmas.
• Additional perks and benefits.
• Competitive training packages.

Our lawyers focus on their fee – earning and billing / credit control is undertaken independently by other teams in-house. We have a dedicated in-bound telephony team to take calls and messages for our fee earners. Lawyers also have the benefit of dictation and support staff to assist in easing the pressure and enabling efficient working.

You will receive a positive and supportive working environment with a team that prides themselves on promoting from within, exposure to industry specialists and a fantastic opportunity to start or continue your development in an award-winning law firm.