Cost Lawyer - London / Milton Keynes 3 days flexible hours (part time)
- Recruiter
- Dentons
- Location
- London Or Milton keynes
- Posted
- 05 May 2015
- Closes
- 29 May 2015
- Vacancy Type
- Business Services, Finance
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part Time
- Practice Areas
- Litigation/Dispute Resolution
- Experience Level
- Not Disclosed
The firm
Dentons is always looking to invest in the highest-quality talent, recognising that our success is built on the diverse and unique strengths of each of the members of our Firm.
The formation of Dentons was through a combination of three exceptional firms: Salans, a leading European firm, Fraser Milner Casgrain (FMC), one of Canada’s premier firms, and SNR Denton, an international firm with strengths in Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, the UK and the US.
Now clients benefit from approximately 2,600 lawyers and professionals in more than 75 locations spanning 50-plus countries across Africa, Asia Pacific, Canada, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Russia and CIS, the UK and the US who are committed to challenging the status quo to offer creative business and legal solutions.
Dentons is a truly “polycentric” international law firm that fully embraces the diversity of its geography, cultures and legal traditions. The Firm has no headquarters, no dominant national culture, and proudly offers clients talent from diverse backgrounds and countries with deep experience in Civil Law, English Common Law and US Common Law.
The department
Our team of business services staff play a significant role in the success of Dentons, and we recruit staff into a wide variety of areas. Here, we look for focused, flexible individuals from a variety of backgrounds who are team players. Previous experience within the legal sector is not essential. We want to give everyone the opportunity to develop his or her potential fully and, therefore, provide support, training and encouragement to members of staff at all levels.
Purpose of role
The successful candidate will provide a comprehensive costs draughtsman service to Dentons' dispute resolution department based at Fleet Place and in Milton Keynes, and to others doing contentious work across the firm (for example, in the intellectual property, employment and property litigation teams).
Responsibilities
Advisory: provision of commercial advice on all relevant issues concerning costs and funding, both at the outset of disputes and throughout any resulting proceedings, with the aim of maximising recovery or minimising liability, as appropriate. Advice on Solicitors Act proceedings will also be required from time to time.
Document preparation: advising in relation to and drafting all necessary costs related documents including:
- estimates to clients and the court including formal costs budgets/Form H/statements of costs for summary assessment
- supporting witness evidence
- bills of costs for detailed assessment and appropriate schedules/breakdowns
- points of dispute and reply
- advice to the client in relation to costs issues
- correspondence with the opposing parties in relation to costs issues.
Negotiation: advising throughout proceedings on the most appropriate/achievable settlement of contested costs issues and negotiating accordingly with opposing parties.
Advocacy: attending court to present argument in relation to costs issues in both interim applications and detailed assessments. Assisting with the instructing of counsel where larger, more complex costs matters warrant this.
Training and know-how: keeping abreast of all developments in relation to costs and funding issues. Ensuring the Dispute Resolution department is briefed on relevant issues including by providing regular training on key aspects.
Required experience, skills and attributes
The successful candidate will be an experienced costs draughtsman with proven expertise and skill in the areas referred to obtained either within one or more commercial dispute resolution practices or a specialist provider of legal costs services to such practices.
Personal attributes are likely to include:
- qualification as a costs lawyer
- confidence to deal effectively with partners and other professionals across the firm
- excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
- an ability to prioritise and multi-task particularly when working under pressure and to tight deadlines
- an ability to interact positively at all levels and a good team player
- a methodical approach to work with a strong focus on accuracy
- a hardworking and enthusiastic approach to work; professional in outlook, attitude and appearance
- confidence using MS Office, including Word and Excel
Equal opportunities
Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. If, as a result of a disability, you believe that there are aspects of the recruitment process or job that you would find more difficult than a non-disabled person, please tell us as soon as possible. We will then be able to discuss with you any reasonable adjustments that could be made to the recruitment process or the job itself.