Trainee Solicitor Bristol 2024

Taking care of people is at the heart of everything we do, and we start by taking care of you, our valued colleague. A career at Sedgwick means experiencing our culture of caring. It means having flexibility and time for all the things that are important to you. It’s an opportunity to do something meaningful, each and every day. It’s having support for your mental, physical, financial and professional needs. It means sharpening your skills and growing your career. And it means working in an environment that celebrates diversity and is fair and inclusive.

A career at Sedgwick is where passion meets purpose to make a positive impact on the world through the people and organizations we serve. If you are someone who is driven to make a difference, who enjoys a challenge and above all, if you’re someone who cares, there’s a place for you here. Join us and contribute to Sedgwick being a great place to work.

About the role

Do you like the idea of a start-up, backed by a market leading multi-national?

The chance to shape the offering of an ambitious challenger law firm?

To commit to an engaging colleague environment, which prioritises wellbeing and development, creative autonomy, and subject-matter excellence?

Would long-term career growth in a IBUK recognised '2024 Top UK Insurance Employer' spark your interest?

If so, join us at Sedgwick Legal Services (SLS).

In this newly created role, we are seeking enthusiastic team players to work with our blue-chip clients. We advise and handle disputes for major insurers, Lloyds syndicates, large corporates, utilities, and local authorities. This role will have a particular focus on property damage losses, including those caused by major fires, floods, building collapse, escape of water and subsidence.

Our legal team is led from our Bristol offices, with colleagues also in Cardiff, Leeds and London.

In order to undertake this role, you will need to have completed your LPC.

We provide expert and practical advice covering a range of areas, including:

• Subrogated recoveries from third parties
• Defence of claims made against policyholders
• Policy coverage advice
• Fraudulent claims and their recovery
• Business Interruption
• Cyber liability and policy response

Main duties and responsibilities include

• Assist Associates and Partners with their file load of varying claim types and value; proactively ensuring that your client’s needs are fully considered and advised on at all times.
• Developing client relationships both within and outside of Sedgwick in the best interests of SLS and the wider adjusting business.
• Being a role model and example of excellence in both litigation and personal development to the wider teams. Ensuring excellent client service to all Sedgwick’s stakeholders.
• Marketing the firm to Sedgwick’s broader client base; seeking opportunities to provide enhanced profitable growth. Engage in business development to enhance your own and maintain the firm’s profile.
• Provide and update knowledge management and training to Sedgwick and its broader client base. Training and developing Sedgwick’s stakeholders and clients in areas of SLS’s expertise.
• Ensuring that the case management system meets SLA and CPR requirements.
• Developing your knowledge of litigation tactics and a sound working knowledge of the CPR.
• Handling confidential information in line with the firm's data security protocols.
• Meeting and exceeding internal targets for time recording and billing.
• Assisting the wider Sedgwick group.
• Working in accordance with Sedgwick values.

What are we looking for?

• Preferably have a degree or previous relevant legal experience.
• Knowledge of the litigation process is desirable
• Able to demonstrate flexibility in approach and working hours
• Be interested in and have a good working knowledge of general contract and tortious principles.
• Be interested in and willing to learn insurance-based property damage law.
• Be interested in and willing to learn the technical aspects of construction and property claims investigations as required for the role.
• Be change-orientated, with a positive, flexible approach towards the implementation of new initiatives.
• Be IT-literate, with a good knowledge of Microsoft Office and previous knowledge or experience of a case management system advantageous (but not essential).
• Have a willingness to follow a process-driven system, working within set parameters.
• Be team-orientated, with a willingness to share knowledge with and support other members of the team.
• Have an ability to adopt a commercial perspective rather than an ‘academic’ approach to claims settlement.

What can we give you in return?

• Competitive salary depending on skills, experience and qualifications
• Many of our vacancies offer the opportunity to work flexibly, whether from office and/or home
• Healthcare scheme
• Access to Sedgwick University and opportunities to complete professional qualifications
• A Self Invested Personal Pension Scheme
• Holiday allowance of 25 days plus bank holidays
• Discounts on various products and services
• Employee assistance programme for employee wellbeing
• Life assurance
• Group Income Protection
• Voluntary benefits – dental cover, cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan, wellbeing and digital GP app

Working at Sedgwick

Our company is a place where creative and caring people of all backgrounds can be challenged, grow as individuals, and feel a higher purpose in the unique value they bring and the difference they make in the lives of others. We celebrate our differences; cultivating uniqueness and belonging allows us to connect with our consumers on a personal level, understand our clients’ needs, support the communities in which we operate, and perform at our best.

We’re passionate and understanding about our colleagues – so we have built flexibility into our colleague working model. If you wish to work from home, split your working time between the home and office or change your hours so you can collect your children or care for someone in your family, we’re supportive of that. As a flexible employer, we’re happy to discuss options that take into consideration your personal needs for this position during your interview.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to: ID document verification, credit check, address verification, employment verification, employment gap verification, UK DBS, UK financial regulator search, anti-money laundering search, directorship search and global watch list check.

Sedgwick is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. We aim to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the ground of race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origins, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or disability.