We are looking to recruit a Principal Associate of 5 years PQE plus, to support the Speciality team in Liverpool. The team is highly regarded for its expertise, the quality of its work and an eye-catching client list.  Members of the team regularly deal with complex and high value litigation at the cutting edge of the professions they represent. The atmosphere is friendly and supportive with a history of mentoring and promotion at all levels of candidates who flourish as part of a team and relish the opportunity to make a difference.

The applicant will specialise in professional indemnity work and have experience in defending claims against construction professionals.

The Specialty team undertakes a broad range of substantial, challenging, largely contentious work. This includes defending claims against a wide variety of professional service providers (including architects, engineers and financial advisors); insurance policy coverage; insurance and reinsurance disputes; and claims relating to construction, property damage and aviation.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Proactive management of your own caseload with limited supervision required
• Working as part of a team on large, complex, high value matters
• Assisting the partners with their caseloads
• Preparing detailed and technical reports, correspondence and court documents
• Delegating to junior solicitors and supporting with their development
• Advising clients in relation to issues of liability and coverage
• Liaising with insurer and insured clients, experts, witnesses, counsel and other parties
• Ensuring compliance with client service level agreements, relevant policies and procedures
• Supporting and having autonomy to contribute to  and develop business development initiatives
• Completion of management information
• Delegating to and developing/supervising trainees and paralegals
• Assisting with other work allocated by the Team Manager
• Working in accordance with Weightmans’ values

This list is only intended to be indicative of the types of activities which the successful candidate will be involved in.

• 5 years PQE plus (or equivalent)
• Well established expertise in Professional Indemnity, particularly construction matters and architect claims
• Experience of insurance litigation and policy coverage analysis is essential
• Experience of professional risk claims relating to construction claims and reserving is essential
• Experience of other professional risk claims is desirable
• Understanding of commercial insurance policies, the insurance market, reporting arrangements, reserving philosophies, and the relationship between brokers, underwriters/insurers and lawyers is essential
• Previous secondment to or employment with an insurance organisation would be advantageous
• Ability to work to deadlines / targets, to prioritise and manage a caseload and to work under pressure to deliver effective solutions
• Ability to work well as part of a team and on your own initiative
• A commercial, solution-driven and client-focused approach, with the ability to strategise 
• Strong legal and analytical skills and an eye for detail
• Excellent organisation and time-management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a positive attitude
• Excellent IT skills
• Excellent teamwork skills

Why work for us
Weightmans is a Top 40 law firm with offices throughout the UK. Having been recognised as the leading legal employer and 10th overall employer at the annual Britain's Top Employers awards 2024 and achieved record rankings in Chambers UK.

We are proud to be an accredited living wage employer.

Click here to find out more about industry recognition for excellence, through our achievements, awards and accreditation.

The independent research showed "Weightmans provides exceptional employee conditions, nurtures and develops talent throughout all levels of the organisation."

We are truly committed to fostering a culture of equality and diversity, where everyone in the firm is respected and recognised on merit for the work that they do.

We strongly encourage applications from people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations and disabilities. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustment at any stage of the application process.

Please feel free to note your preferred pronouns in your application.

Work for a firm where people matter – work for Weightmans – We See the possibility in you.

As well as being immensely proud of the work we carry out for our clients and the culture we provide to our people we offer a wide range of benefits including;

• 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rated for part time)
• Hybrid working including provision of home office equipment*
• Healthcare cover/ Medicash
• Pension plan
• Life Insurance 4 x salary
• Interest free travel loan scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme including counselling, legal and consumer advice service
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounted dental scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Offers & discounts
• Great reward and recognition scheme

*there are a small number of roles that cannot be performed from home, your Recruitment Adviser can confirm.

Please note
We encourage candidates to speak to us direct/apply direct for the opportunities we have available.   

Any reference to experience or PQE in our adverts or job descriptions is to be used as a guideline only. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and with different levels of experience who can demonstrate that they fulfil the requirements of the role.

The successful candidate appointed to this role will be subject to our standard background checking process, and any offer of employment made is conditional upon successful completion of those checks. Further details can be obtained from the Recruitment team.

We are open to part time/job share applicants.

Recruitment agencies (PSL /non-PSL)
Weightmans' operates a strict 'preferred supplier list' (PSL) and is committed to working closely with the recruitment agencies that feature on that list. As such, Weightmans' does not accept speculative or unsolicited CVs, profiles or any other introductions from both our PSL and non-PSL agencies.  If a PSL or non-PSL agency chooses to submit a speculative or unsolicited CV, profile or introduction without instruction from a member of Weightmans’ recruitment team, we will reserve the right to treat the introduction as a gift and contact the candidate directly without accepting or entering into the agency’s terms nor being liable for a recruitment fee.

Eligibility to work in the UK
Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment, or meet the Home office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.