Current vacancies

We are a specialist Construction and Professional Indemnity practice, with offices in Bristol, London, Dublin and Dubai. There are now over 35 colleagues in our Bristol office, mostly defending Solicitors, Accountants, Insurance Brokers, Architects, Engineers and their Insurers, when they face allegations of negligence. The work is challenging and interesting and the team are highly supportive and collaborative.

The successful candidate must have completed the LPC / SQE ahead of starting with us in March 2025 and be in a position to evidence this.

In the first instance, interested candidates should send a full CV and a supporting statement covering their interest in applying for the role and their readiness to take up the position to HRdept@beale-law.com by Friday 15 November 2024.

General Responsibilities:

Defending claims both with and without the assistance of panel solicitors, depending on the value and complexity of the claim. Be actively involved in dealing with claims from initial notification through to settlement; successful rebuttal; or until the matter falls outside of the parameters of the claims handling scheme.

Reviewing new claims and assessing liability and quantum, as well as a preliminary assessment of coverage, in order that the most suitable strategy can be set.

Keeping the strategy under review during the life of the claim and tailoring it to reflect developments as they arise.

Dealing directly with clients assisting them in responding to claims by drafting letters for them to send, approving correspondence, instructing experts and where appropriate conducting settlement negotiations on behalf of the client.

Collating monthly management information from the scheme’s case management system and assisting with billing the files received in the scheme.

You will also be involved in business development and marketing with the qualified fee earners.

Person Specification – You will: –

be educated to degree level or equivalent.

have previous experience of handling professional indemnity claims and handling (pre-litigation) aspects of a file,

have excellent communication skills both written and verbal.

have a confident, assertive yet friendly telephone manner.

be able to prioritise a busy workload whilst working to SLA deadlines.

have good IT literacy including Microsoft Word and Excel.

possess good negotiating skills; and

a willingness to find practical, innovative and commercial solutions.

You will be responsible for:

• Advising professional clients and their insurers on case strategy and claim and cost reserves.
• Handling high value and complex claims from policy response to conclusion.
• Preparing reports for Insurers with the ability to explain and advise succinctly on difficult and complex areas.
• Managing the Insurer/Insured relationship, being aware of potential conflicts.
• Monitoring critical dates and ensuring compliance with Insurer service level agreements.
• Preparing for Court cases at all levels.
• ADR, including negotiation and mediation.
• Adjudication.
• Identifying and advancing business development opportunities.

• Senior Associates will be responsible for the supervision of less experienced members of the team.

Key Requirements of the role:

A CIPD qualified, HR Business Partner, with a generalist HR background but with a recruitment specialism in a legal setting, is required to further support the strengthening of the HR capability of the firm.

Responsibilities:

Recruitment & Selection – Contribute to workforce planning activity to ensure that resource requirements that meet the needs of the firm are delivered. This will involve identifying and delivering recruitment and selection solutions to support the firm’s growth strategy and ownership of current recruitment portals – i.e. LinkedIn Recruiter / Law Society Vacancies website and the development of alternative solutions.

Onboarding and Induction– Contribute to the review and development of the onboarding experience to ensure the best possible start for those joining the Firm.

Trainee Recruitment – Support trainee recruitment across all offices including onward development of the All-Hires Portal, enhancing our brand awareness across appropriate directories / University campuses and co-ordinating the relevant social media campaigns.

SQE and Apprenticeships – In the UK, co-ordinating the implementation of our response to the introduction of the SQE and looking at the possibility of appropriate apprenticeship opportunities (as appropriate) across the firm.

Relationship Management – Ability to build relationships virtually (will be responsible for providing HR assistance to multiple offices), and at all levels, so as to maximise effectiveness and ensure the reputation of the department. Building relationships with recruitment agencies in the various locations and ensuring that we maintain regular contact with them, to ensure that we are in the forefront of their mind when they are speaking to candidates. Agree terms and conditions with agencies and ensure an up-to-date database of who we have terms agreed with as well as CV’s that we have received.

System Development – support system advancements in respect of recruitment, selection, and onboarding to improve efficiencies and ensure the best possible candidate experience. This includes in the first instance, advancing the internal recruitment tracker.

Service and Performance improvement – Identify the root cause of any service, performance and process failures or improvement opportunities and propose solutions to the Senior HR Business Partner and Head of HR.

HR Policies – Review the firm’s Recruitment / Selection related HR policies to ensure that they are legally compliant. Develop training linked to our recruitment practices and be confident to deliver this training if required.

Reporting – produce relevant recruitment reports for the HR and wider leadership teams in respect of our various locations.

Person Specification:

Qualifications:

MCIPD qualified.

Recruitment qualification (desirable but not essential)

Experience:

A successful track record in a Recruitment role with an E&W law firm is essential.

A continuing interest in further developing recruitment and selection solutions to improve candidate and client experience.

Commercially aware – demonstrable experience of providing pragmatic, sensible solutions in a timely manner.

Involvement in decision making, providing clear, balanced support, advice and guidance on a range of recruitment and selection issues.

Experience in developing effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, both internally and externally.

Experience of management and development of less experienced colleagues.

Skills:

Professional, persuasive and influential with a can-do attitude.

Well organised with the ability to prioritise effectively.

Ability to gain the confidence of stakeholders. Strong interpersonal skills.

Collaborative but can lead by example and is a team player.

Ability to relate impact of own role to wider firm plans.

The ideal candidates will have experience in areas including the following (although we do not necessarily require candidates to have experience in all of these areas):

• Acting and advising in respect of claims against construction professionals such as Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Design & Build Contractors.
• Preparing correspondence pursuant to the Pre-Action Protocol for Construction and Engineering Disputes.
• Litigation in the Courts of England & Wales and/or domestic or international Arbitration.
• ADR, including negotiation and mediation.
• Adjudication experience.
• Working knowledge of the principal standard for construction contracts.
• Instructing liability and quantum experts and Counsel.
• Good business development skills, including managing client relationships and delivering presentations.
• The Associate is likely to have at least 4 years plus PQE

We are currently looking to recruit a talented Senior Associate and Associate to join our growing team in Bristol in both our construction, engineering and infrastructure and professional and financial risk teams.

Join our specialist team of expert lawyers spread across the UK, Ireland and Middle East, delivering an innovative service to our clients wherever they may be.

Our lawyers, many of whom are recognised as leaders in the legal directories, advise on some of the most prestigious projects around the world and for some of the largest consultants, contractors, developers, employers and funders.

Whilst maintaining high standards of client care, we offer a friendly, supportive and inclusive environment in which to develop your career and achieve your full potential.

Along with managing client relationships and business development skills, for the professional and financial risks team, candidates will have experience of

• Defending professionals including some or all of Solicitors, Accountants, Surveyors, Insurance Brokers, IFAs, Directors and Officers
• Preparing reports for Insurers with the ability to explain and advise succinctly on difficult and complex areas.
• Advising on case strategy.
• Liaising with senior professional clients in a variety of disciplines.
• Managing the Insurer/Insureds relationship, being aware of potential conflicts.
• Preparing cases for court at all levels, including case management documentation, interlocutory applications, expert instructions, witness statements and trial preparation.
• Monitoring critical dates and ensuring compliance with Insurer service level agreements.
• Understanding all systems and procedures and have the ability to explain and advise clients on those procedures.
• Delegating and supervising more junior members of the team.

For our construction teams, the ideal candidates will have experience in some or all of the following

• Acting and advising in respect of claims against construction professionals such as Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Design & Build Contractors.
• Preparing reports for Insurers with the ability to explain and advise succinctly on difficult and complex areas.
• Advising on case strategy.
• Liaising with senior professional clients in a variety of disciplines.
• Managing the Insurer/Insureds relationship, being aware of potential conflicts.
• Preparing correspondence pursuant to the Pre-Action Protocol for Construction and Engineering Disputes.
• Litigation in the Courts of England & Wales and/or domestic or international Arbitration.
• ADR, including negotiation and mediation.
• Adjudication experience.
• Working knowledge of the principal standard for construction contracts.
• Instructing liability and quantum experts and Counsel.