SOLICITOR - AVIATION

We are looking to recruit an experienced Solicitor to work within our Aviation Team in Leeds. This is a chance to join HF’s top rated Aviation Team, working on behalf of a range of aviation insurers and their insured clients around the world.  Our small team specialise in defending a wide range of aviation related claims and litigation with a particular emphasis in working for international airports in defence of claims and litigation arising from their everyday aviation activities.  What will I be doing?  You will work as part of the team as a Solicitor, ensuring that clients are confident that their legal affairs are dealt with in a business-like and competent manner, ensuring the efficient operation of the firm. You will handle pre-litigation and litigated Personal Injury, Discrimination, EC1107/2006 and Property Damage claims up to £100,000 in value with supervision provided by the team’s Partner and Associate Partners.  You will also assist the team’s Partner and Associate Partners with the higher value and/or complex claims that they handle, under close supervision but without day-to-day responsibility for the file. Cases you are responsible for handling may include liability and/or quantum disputes.  You will be confident developing and maintaining good client relationship skills, gaining clients’ confidence and that of other professionals by providing clear, practical advice with sound commercial judgment and swift and accurate implementation of instructions. It’s essential that you remain commercially aware and fully familiar with the firm’s strategy.  Comfortable undertaking knowledgeable discussion about our industry, threats and opportunities.   The Team Our Aviation team is filled with ambitious professionals working in an engaging and friendly environment. The teams is a sociable one with lots of team activities to get involved in. Client engagement is high and some work related travel is required, perhaps overseas. Our Aviation team form part of HF’s Financial Markets, Aviation & Marine group so opportunities for a broad caseload are available, allowing you to grow with HF as we progress our combined offering!  The Clients  The clients represented by the Aviation team are mostly related to the aviation industry in its widest sense and include International Airports in the UK and overseas, airstrip owners, domestic airports, aircraft owners and operators, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul organisations (MROs), Ground Handlers, PRM service providers, private pilots and concessionaires and suppliers related to the worldwide aviation industry.   The majority of the cases handled by the team are on the instruction of insurance company clients, with cases typically involving personal injury, property damage (including to aircraft), fatal accidents, Inquests, discrimination, DDA 1995 claims or breaches of the PRM Regulations (EC1107/2006). You may be involved in cases of all types in a supporting capacity, assisting the handling fee earner to manage and advance cases as required. In additional to their extensive Aviation client base the team handle a variety of EL/PL cases on behalf of a variety of London Market insurers. In that regard, knowledge or experience of scaffolding or construction related injury claims would be desirable.  What do I need?  You will have an interest in civil litigation including personal injury claims, property damage claims, contractual disputes and Aviation related laws including the Montreal Convention and EC1107/2006 but previous aviation experience is not needed as full training will be provided. Foreign language skills are not required. You will be a qualified legal professional with up to 3 years PQE as a Solicitor (or equivalent) within England or Wales.  We are also keen to hear from Newly Qualified Solicitors looking to expand their knowledge.  Preferably you will have previous experience of dealing with personal injury claims using the portal and DCP. Previous knowledge of the CPR, the SRA Code of Conduct and their application will be an advantage. You will also be able to meet/exceed billing targets. Previous experience of hourly rate charging preferable but not essential.  You will have a client-centric approach and excellent client care skills.