Solicitor / Associate - Inquests and Inquiries

Hempsons are part of the HF group of companies and are leading legal experts in the sectors of health and social care, charities, clinical negligence and professional support and advice for medical practitioners. They support the NHS and other organisations across the public, private and third sectors, delivering expert legal advice drawn from deep sector knowledge and experience. Hempsons Inquests and Inquiries Team provides legal advice, advocacy, training and support services to health, social care and charity sector clients. The team is highly rated and undertakes a range of complex and high-profile work in a supportive, collaborative and forward-thinking environment. We currently have an opportunity for an Inquests Solicitor or Associate to join our team to undertake a range of work, with a primary focus on inquests. In addition to inquests, there will be an opportunity to support clients on other matters such as public inquiries, investigations and patient safety and learning work. There may be opportunities to assist the Regulatory Team with regulatory investigations, professional regulatory and criminal matters. We are looking for a candidate wanting to focus on and developing their advocacy skills whilst proactively supporting our clients in learning from deaths and incidents.
Increase your chances of an interview by reading the following overview of this role before making an application.

• Manage a caseload of work (primarily inquests) with appropriate supervision.
• Advise clients on a varied caseload (including acute healthcare, mental health, and specialist health and care services) with appropriate supervision.
• Provide clear factual and legal analysis, including preparing and making complex legal submissions.
• Undertake advocacy, often in complex multi-agency inquests where Article 2 is engaged.
• Communicate effectively with clients, witnesses, Coroners and other professionals and stakeholders.
• Act as a key contact for clients and support client relationship management and business development activities, including training, commensurate to experience.
• Build internal and external relationships and promote the work of the team and wider healthcare division, identifying and developing new opportunities for growth.
• Provide supervision and mentorship, commensurate to experience.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information and otherwise act in accordance with firm policies and procedures.
• Maintain good financial management, including time recording and billing.

• Skills, Experience and Knowledge
• A qualified solicitor or barrister with previous experience of coronial law, or a related practice area.
• Experience of advising health and social care clients would be highly advantageous, but consideration will be given to those with experience of advising and representing families in inquests where appropriate advocacy experience has been gained.
• Experience in another area (public inquiries, investigations or regulatory) is advantageous but not necessary.
• A clear interest in healthcare law, strong advocacy skills and enthusiasm to develop skills and knowledge across these areas.
• You must be able to demonstrate:
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and an ability to give practical and jargon-free advice on complex clinical and legal matters.
• Advocacy skills commensurate to your experience and a desire and enthusiasm to undertake advocacy, including in sometimes lengthy, complex and multi-agency Article 2 inquests (often with a jury).
• A proven desire to undertake healthcare work and to be able to deal confidently, professionally and compassionately with healthcare professionals.
• Motivation for the work we undertake and a desire to support our clients with patient safety, learning and improvement work, including client training.
• A team-oriented approach and a real desire to work collaboratively with our national team.
• A commitment to client development work and an eye for new and emerging opportunities.

• 25 days' annual leave (rising to 30 with service) + Holiday Buy Scheme.
• Life Insurance & Income Protection.
• Private Medical Insurance & Healthcare Cash Plan.
• Employee Assistance Programme & Digital GP services.
• Pension Scheme.
• Electric Car Scheme.
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Leave.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working Options.
• Discounted Gym Membership & Employee Discount Hub.
• Flu & Eyecare Vouchers – and more!

- We are not your stereotypical corporate law firm. We have a relaxed dress code; you can be yourself at work. We offer hybrid working meaning you only have to come into the office once or twice a month, (after successfully completing your training). Although if you want to see us more, that's also fine! - We continue to place a firm emphasis on investing in our people and promoting internally, we are always looking to invest and grow our people. - If HF sounds like a place where you could belong, we'd love to learn more about you! Submit your CV here and we'll be in touch if we have any opportunities that match your experience and interests. xwwtmva If we don't have something right now, we'll keep your details on file and may reach out in the future as part of our talent pipeline.

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