Associate

Department: Disputes 
Location: Virtual
Duration: 12 months 
Reports to: Partner 
PQE:  0 to 5
Reference Numer: 10257

Team and role

We are looking for lawyers with strong contentious experience to support our redress scheme work. The role is within Dentons' Disputes practice, which is a large contentious group with team members in London, Milton Keynes and Scotland. 
 

Dentons represents a range of leading public sector clients, including His Majesty's Government (HMG), and we currently act on a number of large, high-profile redress schemes for the Department for Business and Trade. These schemes are focused on ensuring full and fair redress for postmasters affected by the Horizon IT scandal. Dentons holds a range of independent roles within the schemes, including coordinating various independent panels that issue binding redress decisions.

     
This role is a unique opportunity to have a positive impact through one of the most significant public redress programmes in recent UK legal history, working on complex and high-profile claims that require careful analysis, sound judgement and effective stakeholder engagement. The role would involve a wide variety of work.

The current Dentons team comprises members from all of its UK offices, as well as virtual members. While the role would be virtual, successful candidates would be welcome to periodically work from Dentons' offices. [RZF1.1]Due to HMG's requirements, the successful candidate will need to be based in the UK while undertaking the work. 

Given the unique nature of these large redress schemes, we are willing to consider applicants from a range of contentious legal backgrounds including (but not limited to) litigation, employment, regulatory, investigations and arbitration.

This role offers the opportunity to work on matters of national importance alongside experienced practitioners in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Responsibilities

Associates will work closely with senior lawyers and independent panel members. The role includes:

• Instructing and coordinating independent panels considering complex compensation claims, frequently involving significant quantum.
• Drafting panel decisions and related legal documentation.
• Supervising and supporting paralegals and junior team members.
• Preparing correspondence to claimants and their representatives.
• Managing large volumes of sensitive and complex material with accuracy and professionalism.
• Assisting with wider stakeholder engagement, including with government and postmasters' legal representatives.

Required skills and experience

• Qualified solicitor status in England and Wales (or equivalent common law jurisdiction).
• Strong general contentious or disputes experience. 
• Experience gained within the public sector or complex claims management a benefit, but not essential.
• Strong academic record.
• Experience in leading teams a benefit, but not essential.

Personal attributes 

• Responsible for own work and can work independently.
• Dedicated to exceptional client service.
• Focused on developing junior members of the team.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good judgement and resilience.
• Strong initiative and drive.
• Keen to learn new skills.

Firm Profile

Across more than 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organisation by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com

Inclusion and Diversity

We are committed to building an inclusive culture here at Dentons where our people can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance. As well as being the right thing to do, it makes good business sense too. A richness of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives helps us best serve our clients and the communities in which we operate. You can find out more about inclusion and diversity at Dentons here: Inclusion and Diversity

Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from everyone including of any age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, neurotype, disability, or with parental or caring responsibilities. We are also “Happy to Talk Flexible Working” and welcome conversations about flexible working arrangements.

Dentons is a Disability Confident employer. Candidates with a disability may choose to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme. We will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. Where application volumes are high, we may offer interviews to those who best meet the minimum criteria, consistent with our approach for all candidates.

During the application process, all applicants have the opportunity to tell us about any adjustments or support they require so they are able to perform at their best. Any information you share with us during the application process is treated in confidence.

If you have any questions about this or the role criteria, please email recruitment.matters@dentons.com. 

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

If you are interested in applying for this position, we welcome direct applications via our careers page, but if you have any questions beforehand, please email  recruitment.matters@dentons.com. Enquiries only please – applications will not be accepted via email.

Please note that we will not accept unsolicited CVs sent to the business, nor will we accept any associated terms of business.