Aviation Solicitor or Associate

We are looking to recruit a Solicitor to join the Aviation team in London.  This forms part of the broader Specialty team, which deals with a broad range of substantial, challenging work, largely of a contentious nature. The recruit will be expected to be able to quickly take on a wide range of aviation claims work, both domestic and international, including involvement in aviation insurance, reinsurance, coverage and commercial work.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Proactive management of cases with limited supervision
• Assisting the partners and other members of the team with their caseloads
• Preparing detailed and technical reports, correspondence and court documents
• Liaising with insurer and insured clients, experts, witnesses, counsel and other parties
• Ensuring compliance with client service level agreements, relevant policies and procedures
• Supporting business development initiatives
• Completion of management information
• Supporting more junior members of the team
• Assisting with other work allocated by the partners / Team Manager
• Work in accordance with Weightmans’ and Aviation Team values

This list is only intended to be indicative of the types of activities which the successful candidate will be involved in.

• Up to 4 years PQE
• Experience of insurance is essential.
• Experience of aviation litigation is preferred.
• Previous secondment to or employment with an airline, aviation or insurance organisation and/or other aviation interests / skills / language skills would be advantageous, as would experience in insurance and reinsurance work
• Ability to work to deadlines / targets, to prioritise and manage a caseload and to work under pressure to deliver effective solutions
• Ability to work well as part of a team and on your own initiative
• A self-starter with a strong sense of loyalty to the team and professional pride in your work product
• A commercial, solution-driven and client-focused approach
• Strong legal and analytical skills and an eye for detail
• Excellent organisation and time-management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a positive attitude
• Excellent IT skills
• Excellent teamwork skills

Weightmans is a Top 40 law firm with offices throughout the UK. Having been recognised as the leading legal employer and 10th overall employer at the annual Britain's Top Employers awards 2024 and achieved record rankings in Chambers UK.

We are proud to be an accredited living wage employer.

Click here to find out more about industry recognition for excellence, through our achievements, awards and accreditations.

The independent research showed "Weightmans provides exceptional employee conditions, nurtures and develops talent throughout all levels of the organisation."

We are truly committed to fostering a culture of equality and diversity, where everyone in the firm is respected and recognised on merit for the work that they do.

We strongly encourage applications from people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations and disabilities. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustment at any stage of the application process.

Please feel free to note your preferred pronouns in your application.

Work for a firm where people matter – work for Weightmans – We See the possibility in you.

As well as being immensely proud of the work we carry out for our clients and the culture we provide to our people we offer a wide range of benefits including;

• 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rated for part time)
• Hybrid working including provision of home office equipment*
• Healthcare cover/ Medicash
• Pension plan
• Life Insurance 4 x salary
• Interest free travel loan scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme including counselling, legal and consumer advice service
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounted dental scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Offers & discounts
• Great reward and recognition scheme

*there are a small number of roles that cannot be performed from home, your Recruitment Adviser can confirm.

Please note

• We encourage candidates to speak to us direct/apply direct for the opportunities we have available.   

• Any reference to experience or PQE in our adverts or job descriptions is to be used as a guideline only. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and with different levels of experience who can demonstrate that they fulfil the requirements of the role.

• The successful candidate appointed to this role will be subject to our standard background checking process, and any offer of employment made is conditional upon successful completion of those checks. Further details can be obtained from the Recruitment team.

• We are open to part time/job share applicants.

Recruitment agencies (PSL /non-PSL)

Weightmans operates a strict 'preferred supplier list' (PSL) and is committed to working closely with the recruitment agencies that feature on that list. As such, Weightmans does not accept speculative or unsolicited CVs, profiles or any other introductions from both our PSL and non-PSL agencies.  If a PSL or non-PSL agency chooses to submit a speculative or unsolicited CV, profile or introduction without instruction from a member of Weightmans’ recruitment team, we will reserve the right to treat the introduction as a gift and contact the candidate directly without accepting or entering into the agency’s terms nor being liable for a recruitment fee.

Eligibility to work in the UK

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment, or meet the Home office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.