Senior Legal Advisor

SUMMARY:
Our esteemed client in Pretoria has a permanent, on-site opportunity available for a Senior Legal Advisor. The successful candidate will be responsible for the full process of registering, assessing, investigating, and settling professional indemnity claims. This role requires a high level of independence and sound judgment, and a solid understanding of the legal and ethical duties expected of legal practitioners, and a strong working knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the Legal Practice Council (LPC).

POSITION INFO:
Minimum requirements:

• Must have an LLB or BProc
• Be an admitted attorney, with a minimum of between 3 and 5 years post- admission experience gained as an attorney in an attorney’s private
• Have exposure to an insurance litigation environment
• Have a good and comprehensive knowledge of the magistrates’ and high court procedures.
• Be computer literate and have working knowledge of MS Office programmes (including Word, Outlook and Excel).
• Have good analytical skills, attention to detail and be able to produce professional reports
• Be able to work as part of a team
• Be able to work under pressure
• Have good negotiation and interpersonal skills
• Have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Take responsibility for decisions made and must be able to work independently
• Have an in-depth knowledge of how a legal practice operates and functions, including the legal and ethical duties expected of legal practitioners.

• To instruct relevant experts where necessary.
• To independently research relevant case law, legislation and other legal authorities.
• To consult with the all relevant parties, including, witnesses and experts as necessary.
• To liaise with plaintiffs’ attorneys in respect of the conduct of the claims.
• To assist and have input into the drafting of various pleadings and notices.
• To draft comprehensive and well-substantiated and motivated opinions based on the assessment of the claims, recommending to management repudiation, defence or settlement the claim.
• To negotiate a proper settlement of claims and party and party bills of costs.
• To tactically plan and manage various claims within his/her portfolio and ensure that they are assessed in accordance with the relevant departmental minimum operation standards.
• To regularly keep various stakeholders apprised of and updated with developments in the claim.
• To take an active role in risk management, including research, collation of data, reports and contribute articles for the Risk Alert Bulletin, and monitor the environment to identify claims trends.
• To promote and ensure quality and professional client service.
• To arrange timeous payments of settlement payments, party and party costs and invoices.