Industrial Disease Partner

The Firm

Hodge Jones & Allen (HJA) is a hugely respected London law firm founded in 1977. The firm is committed to providing first-class legal advice to individuals and organisations across a number of disciplines, offering dedicated, specialist and high quality service. The firm is best known for its historic mission of helping ordinary people deal with extraordinary events, a mission rooted in a strong set of ethical values that permeates the firm. In the last three years HJA has either been shortlisted or won 20 major legal awards, including being shortlisted for the Halsbury Legal Awards 2014 as best law firm of the year. Today, the firm comprises around 243 employees and 50 partners practising in over fourteen distinct areas of law. The firm’s headquarters are at North Gower Street, a 5 minute walk from Euston station, with a regional office at Edward Pavilion, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool.

The Asbestos & Mesothelioma Team

The Industrial Disease team, led by Isobel Lovett, is a key unit with all fee-earners devoting their time exclusively to Asbestos-related claims and Mesothelioma. The Legal 500 describes Isobel as a ‘first-class litigator’ whose client care ‘is second to none’ and she has spearheaded the rapid development of a successful specialist team since her move to London from the North East. HJA is one of four panel firms on the London Asbestos Support Awareness Group and has also relationships with consultants and specialist nurses. The firm is committed to this area of practice and is looking to expand its profile and market position in the Asbestos-related field, although is also open to hearing from candidates with more general Industrial Disease case handling experience who can bring expertise to the team.

The Position

HJA is seeking to bring in a seasoned practitioner who has focused specifically on Asbestos related claims for the majority of their career or, who has proven expertise in other Industrial Diseases (excluding deafness and VWF claims).  An essential requirement is that you have a current following in your specialist area of work. In all likelihood you will exhibit most or all of the following qualities:

• Technical excellence in the Asbestos/Mesothelioma practice area or other Industrial Disease work
• Experience working with a firm respected in the field of Industrial Disease
• Be a qualified Solicitor or FILEX or hold an equivalent professional qualification
• Case handling experience. This is a potentially exciting hire for someone already working at a senior associate level and who is keen to make the move to partner status
• A network of connections and relationships within the broader Asbestos community or within the Industrial Disease community
• An established network of medical and other professionals who will signpost cases to the applicant
• A proven ability to generate new cases
• An ambitious, driven and outgoing personality, but with the requisite sensitivity to act for people with severe and/or fatal illnesses
• A commitment to a collegiate approach to legal practice

In terms of support, you will have full access to paralegal and administrative support. For the right candidate, partnership is on offer within the first year of employment. Remuneration will be competitive and will depend on the individual’s circumstances. The firm embraces flexibility and it is expected that the candidate will work mainly from home, drawing on their local network to generate work for the team. A part-time arrangement would be considered for the right candidate

Conclusion

HJA has achieved a huge amount over the past four decades growing a first rate reputation for high quality legal practice, underpinned by strong ethical values. It has built this on sound financial foundations and successful, forward-thinking leadership and management. HJA has thrived through both recessions and substantial upheavals within the legal profession. As a microcosm of that success, the Asbestos team has made huge strides in its relatively short history achieving both profitability and a profession-wide recognition on the back of focused and innovative leadership.

For an individual with the requisite personal and professional qualities, this is a first class opportunity to join a firm and a department with an excellent external reputation, a cohesive and supportive internal structure and a track record of financial profitability. In addition, there is the opportunity to mould and develop the practice and to expand the scope of the team.

For further information on the firm or to discuss this opportunity in confidence and in more detail, please contact jferguson@hja.net or send your CV to Recruitment@hja.net.

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to all candidates. If you are successful, a member of the team will contact you directly. If you do not hear from us, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.