Chief Legal Officer

Cordell & Co is a personal injury law firm based in Dorking, Surrey. It is a second-generation family owned law firm with a pedigree in a wide range of areas of personal injury. Our firm is growing and the opportunity will allow you to operate within a growing, vibrant environment working closely with the owner in their plan to modernise and develop the firm into a top personal injury practice.

This role is ideal for an individual who is suited to the management of legal environments, comfortable with managing a team of highly motivated individuals and their characters. They must excel in the development and management of general legal operations. They must be confident of working with a young owner with an overall goal of growing the firm with organic investment.

• Advise the owner on legal and governance matters affecting the business.
• Lead legal strategy, risk management and compliance mechanics through communication with the owner and COLP.
• Lead trial performance by attendance at court and managing counsel.
• Supporting fee earners in reaching their goals through guidance, management and training.
• Managing a growing group of up to 50 staff including solicitors (Currently 26 staff).

• Review and manage tasks which a solicitor would be expected to undertake within the firm.
• Manage risk associated with prospects of success on the firm2s caseload.
• Manage risk associated with limitation on the firm2s caseload.
• Manage disbursement risk on the firm2s caseload.
• Review the cases where liability has been denied, pre-issue, to establish if we will support the matters to court.
• Manage the paralegals in their endeavours insofar as dealing with the following:
• Submission of Claims Notification Forms/Letter of Claim
• Reviewing the denial of liability
• Application of medical records
• Instruction of medical evidence

The candidate will be required to have 5 years PQE as a solicitor or barrister having worked in personal injury or a similar field of law. They must have an excellent understanding of the civil procedure rules and the pre-action protocols. They also must have experience of working with minimal supervision on personal injury matters.

They must have a good understanding of the use of technology and artificial intelligence and it’s application to case management. Any development experience would lead to improved terms but this is not necessary.