Jobs at Berry & Lamberts Solicitors

We have an exciting opportunity for an ambitious solicitor to join our Dispute Resolution team and to take the lead in growing our litigation work under Partner supervision.

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Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate knowledge and experience in the following areas:

1. Property Litigation (Commercial and Residential) including:

• Possession claims for residential property (mainly on rent arrears basis)
• Dealing with opposed and unopposed renewal applications under the Landlord and Tenancy Act 1954
• Boundary disputes
• Easement disputes
• Party Wall Act disputes
• Dilapidation claims
• Service Charge disputes
  

2. Contentious Probate Claims

3. Employment Disputes (both Applicant and Respondent)

4. Contractual Disputes

5. Commercial Disputes

The role will suit someone with drive, energy and a desire to take the initiative in business development and bringing new work to the firm as well as building on existing clients and relationships. The successful candidate will therefore have to demonstrate a track record of working with referrers and developing relationships with existing clients.

Skills and Attributes

1. Essential

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience of litigation work
• Business developer with a strong drive to develop the department
• Commercially astute
• Adopts a client-centred focus at all times, taking responsibility for the level of client service they provide and takes proactive steps to maximise and improve client relationships
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Confident with the ability to interface and develop relationships with a variety of people.
• Team worker who can use their initiative with a 'can do' attitude.
• Professional appearance
  

2. Desirable

• Experience in non-contentious Employment and Commercial work is preferable but not essential
  

Important Information

Senior Associate level, with 5 years PQE

Based in Tunbridge Wells/Sevenoaks but remote working at the moment

Salary negotiable, depending on experience

Application Process
Please submit your CV and cover letter to recruitment@berryandlamberts.co.uk including your availability and any notice periods you may subject to.

We are delighted to offer a training contract to aspiring solicitors looking to further their legal career. Some of our current Associates and Partners started out as a Berry & Lamberts’ Trainee Solicitor, including our Managing Partner, so we completely understand the importance of a good training contract.

Your first step towards a legal career is crucial so the training contract at Berry & Lamberts seeks to provide a broad understanding of the different legal practice areas, direct work experience within at least three legal departments and a broad commercial understanding of the business. Armed with this exposure and experience you will then be equipped to decide which legal area to specialise in. We will aim to create an experience which plays to your strengths and targets your personal and professional aspirations and development so that you progress your career in the direction you would like to go.

We want to give you early exposure to quality legal work and the encouragement to build client relationships. If you are hungry to learn, are collaborative, proactive and willing to use your legal knowledge and initiative, your efforts will be rewarded and you will find the work stimulating and satisfying.

Applicants:

We welcome applications from candidates who will demonstrate their commitment to developing outstanding technical legal skills and engaging in the firm’s culture of collaborating with clients and colleagues to help them achieve the results they seek. In return we offer a friendly and supportive environment where candidates have fantastic opportunities to develop and progress their career.‍

We look for:

• 2:1 degree in any subject
• First time pass in the LPC and, if appropriate, the GDL (or equivalent) with a preference towards those who pass with distinction or commendation
• Three A levels, grades A-C
• Well-rounded, professional individuals with strong interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Highly organised with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Pro-active and able to use own initiative
• Commercial and business awareness
• Self-motivated and hardworking
• Committed to self-development
• Able to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Committed to providing first class customer service
• Practical problem-solving skills
• Decisive people keen to make their mark
• Candidates who want a long career with us

Training Contract Start Date: September 2021
Locations: Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks & Paddock Wood
Number of training contracts available: One
Closing date for Training Contract Applications: 30 April 2021

If you are interested in applying for the position of Trainee Solicitor, please send a cover letter and CV to Mandy Kettle, Office Manager, Berry & Lamberts Solicitors, 11 Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1JA or email: traineerecruitment@berryandlamberts.co.uk

Please note: Paralegal vacancies are advertised separately.

From time to time, vacancies come up for permanent support staff across our various legal departments where we require the following skills and attributes:

• Proficient in using Word and Excel
• Able to learn new systems quickly
• Accurate digital audio and letter typing
• Excellent telephone manner and client liaison skills
• Filing, photocopying and opening/closing client files in a timely manner
• Ability to use initiative and work proactively
• Highly organised with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Capable of managing a busy workload and prioritising in a fast-paced environment but at the same time working accurately and with excellent attention to detail
• A team player who is also capable of being proactive and ‘getting on’ with it
• Committed to providing first-class customer service

If you are interested in support staff opportunities, please send a cover letter and CV to Mandy Kettle, Office Manager at Berry & Lamberts Solicitors, 11 Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1JA or email: mkettle@berryandlamberts.co.uk

No agencies please – you are great at what you do but we will get in touch if we need you.