Our client, a reputable law firm with over 70 years of experience and service seeks to hire a Senior Associate – Litigation
REPORTING LINE: Leading Associate, Industry Partner
DIRECT SUPERVISEES: Associates, Junior Associates
JOB SUMMARY: The holder will play the role of Client Group Coordinator in the Firm. S/he will provide legal support and oversee client-relationship management, review research documents and case histories to ensure accuracy of advice and procedures; develop and discuss legal strategies, while also supporting team members to gather evidence to support claims, prepare legal documents and represent clients in court on legal matters.
S/he must be strategic and commercially aware and be fully familiar with the firm’s current strategy. S/he must also be able to have knowledgeable discussions about the market they operate in, the threats and opportunities the firm faces and the future plans for the firm and her/his role(s) in those plans.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide sound legal advice, opinions, procedures, and a wide range of associated legal services to clients, in a timely manner
- Delegate and supervise work assigned to Client Group and Admin. support staff
- Responsible for the quality of client services provided by self, associates, and other Admin support staff
- Draft, interpret and review agreements, legal reports, engagement letters, and other legal documents
- Provide research support to team in the research of case history and legislation and applying relevant laws /decrees/regulations to cases
- Negotiate, execute, terminate, and administer contracts, agreements, settlements
- Represent clients in litigation proceedings, arbitration proceedings and enforcement proceedings regarding court orders and arbitration awards
- Responsible for preparation of scope of work, fee matter estimates and quotations
- Manage ‘work-in-progress and collections’ in accordance with firm’s guidelines and standards
- Adhere to firm’s time management protocol and use of resources to achieve optimum productivity
- Liaise with clients and other professionals on sharing information and knowledge – such as work progress status, legal proceedings and positions and other related legal issues
- Make constructive contributions to the non-chargeable activities of the firm – “black table and committee meetings”, article writing and posting on designated sites, time recording, case file management, etc
- Comply with procedures set out in the Employee Handbook and other firm’s procedures Manual and as well as professional standard
- Provide support and guidance to junior members of the Client group team
- Attend Training, Seminars, Conferences, and other professional meetings as may be required
- Carry out other duties given by the partners faithfully and diligently
RELATIONSHIPS:
Internal: Partners, Junior and Senior Associates, Administrative Support staff, Client Group, Mentors, Interns, Externs, Youth Corpers
External: Clients, Courts, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Bar Associations, other Law firms, Regulatory Bodies, International Firm’s Network
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Business Perspective
- Build commercial awareness, share knowledge and relevant new information with client groups and other associates during the ‘know how sessions’ (i.e., Wednesday and Friday meetings, firm’s induction programs)
- Attract additional business from new and existing clients
- Proactive in ensuring all clients’ billing, filling of client in-take forms and timesheets engagement letters are accurate, timely and up to date
- Ability to identify and follow through business development opportunities
- Commitment and adherence to the Firm’s Shared Values
- Problem Solving
- Analytical ability, critical thinking, and strong attention to details
Technical / Professional
- Keep up to date with technology, firm’s tools, templates, and protocols relevant to the position
- Applicable knowledge of motions, discovery, evidence, litigation documentation, court rules and procedures, practices, etc
- Ability to delegate appropriate tasks to juniors
- Team Orientation
Personal
Must be fair, honest, and trustworthy in all dealings
SPECIFICATIONS
Educational Qualifications:
LL. B, B.L
Appropriate certifications in a specialized field of Law are an added advantage
Professional Qualifications:
Experience:
Minimum of 8 years’ experience in related field