Legal Advisor, Gauteng at Sheldon Recruitment

• Our client has a vacancy for a Legal Advisor for a permanent role, based in Tshwane, Gauteng.

Applicants are required to strictly meet the following criteria:

• Must have an LLB or BProc qualification
• 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 practice
• Have exposure to an insurance litigation environment
• Have a good and comprehensive knowledge of the magistrates’ and high court procedures
• 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 and under pressure with good negotiation & 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.
• Have good understanding of the roles and functions of various fidelity funds

The successful applicant would be responsible for, but not limited to:

• To analyse and assess professional indemnity and/or public liability claims to: determine whether such claim falls within the ambit of the policy where the claim pertains to the professional indemnity;
• Analyse whether the legal practitioner involved breached his/her mandate, duty of care or was negligent;
• Assess the merits and quantum of the original underlying claim from which the professional indemnity or public liability claim, as the case may be, arises.
• To instruct relevant experts where necessary.
• To independently research relevant case law, legislation and other legal authorities.
• To consult with 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.