Purpose of job
Birketts is recruiting for an ambitious, driven and forward-thinking environmental lawyer to come and join our growing Planning and Environmental Team on a permanent basis. The team is spread over four of our offices currently and is expanding so an ability to work across offices and travel from time to time to other offices is part and parcel of how the Team functions. However, it is anticipated you would have a home office in Either Cambridge, Ipswich to enable adequate supervision and a good diverse range of work.
You will provide professional, proactive, high level legal support to an allocated group of fee earners and to the wider fee earning team. The role is within a team that manages a diverse caseload of all types of planning and environmental work. In the main, the role will focus on delivering high quality environmental law advice to our varied clients.
Experience of planning law as well as, environmental law would be beneficial, but it is acknowledged that these areas are both broad, wide-ranging but also complex and detailed such that many candidates may only have experience of environmental law. Willingness to learn about planning law and the planning system so far as it is relevant to the environmental work would be required but experience is not essential.
Accountabilities
- To support the Planning and Environmental team in delivering on its strategy for growth and client service excellence
- To work with colleagues in a productive and collaborative way, supervising those more junior and seeking supervision from those more senior
- To be competent in a variety of software packages such as Microsoft Word and Excel to produce correspondence and documents, spreadsheets and presentations to ensure relevant documentation is produced to a high standard to meet clients’ expectations and deadlines
- To be, or become expert in legal software such as Hi Q, Expert Time Recording and Compare Docs
- To prepare advice and documentation to a high standard and deliver to client demands and deadlines
- Updating the client on progress when required
- To proof read all work, checking for spelling and grammar
- To be involved in business development activities for the Planning and Environment team and the wider firm
The candidate
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a highly regarded, dynamic and growing team dealing with high quality and varied property work.
We are looking for :
A qualified lawyer with experience in environmental law commensurate with PQEThe candidate will be a solicitor, barrister or legal executiveGood computer / technical skills in particular working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of software including Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPointStrong written and oral communication skillsAbility to communicate with colleagues at all levels of seniority and liaise effectively with other internal departments and external contactsAbility to use discretionPositive and enthusiastic approach to teamworkA flexible, highly motivated, proactive and ‘can do’ working styleSelf-motivated, ability to use initiativeAbility to pay attention to detail and check own workGood organisational skills, able to prioritise, make decisions and work effectively within a sometimes pressurised environmentCommitment to ongoing learning and development for yourself and for colleaguesProfessional Skills
To uphold the professional standards set for all lawyers by SRATo adhere to Birketts own Brand Signatures and ValuesTo deliver high quality legal adviceAn ability to learn the complex and ever-changing law, policy and guidance surrounding environmental lawTo be responsive, a team player and deliver personal billing and time recording targets.General Approach
Show initiative when responding to queries and actively try to seek solutions to problems;To support your colleagues when clients are demanding the work product to be delivered;To support and build working relationships within your own team as well as other colleagues;To effectively liaise with staff from other departments and external contacts as required.Equal opportunities
We are committed to recruiting individuals on merits of suitability for each role, on the basis of qualifications and experience. All applications are treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, disability, religious beliefs and any other protected characteristic, ensuring that there are equal opportunities at all stages of the recruitment process.
Benefits
One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we are appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. A competitive salary and benefits package is given but you can also expect a great team and supportive colleagues, a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, a programme of wellbeing and mental health support and structured career development and study support.
25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays rising with service. (SA + 30 days)Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous servicePrivate Healthcare - BUPA (offered after probation is passed)Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)Staff Profit Share / Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health InsurancePaid ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) dayEnhanced Maternity / Paternity LeaveSeason Ticket LoanGym Flex membershipElectric car schemeDress for your Day PolicyAgile Working Policy35 hour working weekBirketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.