Who we are ·         Debenhams Ottaway is an award winning, LEXCEL accredited, leading law firm based in Hertfordshire and the preeminent legal firm in St Albans. ·         Known for its warm and friendly culture, this relationship-driven, people-centric firm is committed to growth achieved through doing more for clients, its people and the communities it serves. ·         Our Family team are members of Resolution and accredited specialists.  Several members of the team are also trained collaborative lawyers. What we seek We are looking for a solicitor to join our established, award winning Family team to work on a varied case load of all aspects of family law matters, including divorce, financial settlement, private law Children Act, nuptial agreement and co-habitation cases.   What will you do? Activities will be varied and will include, but are not limited to the following: ·         Take client instructions and...

To provide a fully effective service to clients of Debenhams Ottaway by progressing client files under the direction of the Team Leader, and to provide secretarial and administrative assistance to the Team Leader and to others in the Private Client Department when required. Key responsibilities: Activities will be varied and will include, but are not limited to the following: Client Service Taking client instructions and progressing the matter file under the TL’s instructions. This may include amongst other things drafting Wills, Powers of Attorney and dealing with the administration of Estates and Trusts. To provide a courteous and efficient service to clients. To ensure that work sent to clients and related parties is correctly prepared in accordance with the firm’s standards and precedents and the TL’s instructions. To observe the code of practice in all areas as detailed in the Solicitors Code of Conduct and to observe fully the requirements of the Solicitors...

Company overview: Debenhams Ottaway is a modern, client focused law firm based in St Albans and Radlett working with businesses of the future and thriving families and individuals in Hertfordshire and London. Debenhams Ottaway believes passionately in building the best teams with the energy and imagination to provide the highest quality legal advice. Overview : This role will involve progressing client files under the direction of the Team Leader, and to provide legal and administrative assistance to the solicitors in the Property Team. Key responsibilities: Activities will be varied and will include, but are not limited to the following: Client Service Progressing the matter file under the solicitor’s instructions .  This may include amongst other things legal research, and drafting emails, contracts and other documents. To provide a courteous and efficient service to clients . To ensure that work sent to clients and related...

Overview At Debenhams Ottaway the client and our people are always at the heart of what we do. This role involves delivering on agreed strategic initiatives which aim to drive business growth and strengthen our market presence. We are looking for an experienced candidate to join our team on a fixed term contract to cover the role of Head of Marketing & Business Development during maternity leave. This strategic role leads a small but mighty team to deliver the business development and marketing strategy across the firm, demonstrating our approachability, our knowledge and our excellent client care. The Role Reporting to the Managing Partner, the Interim Head of Business Development and Marketing is responsible for: - Championing the company’s culture, behaviours and values. - Leading and mentoring the Business Development and Marketing team, fostering a collaborative and positive work environment that delivers results - Executing our...

Overview We are seeking a Legal Secretary to work as part of our Private Client team, delivering the highest levels of service to our clients by providing secretarial and administrative support to a minimum of 2 lawyers.    Our private client team is one of the largest and most experienced in Hertfordshire with four partners, one consultant, three senior associates, six solicitors, a court of protection manager and four legal assistants. We are ranked tier 1 in Legal 500 and band 1 in Chambers HNW. Key responsibilities The key responsibilities are listed below, but may vary depending on the needs of that team and their clients. Answer the telephone and assist clients with enquiries when the lawyer is not available   Meet clients who call into the office without an appointment on behalf of the lawyers, answer queries, take messages and make file notes   Open and close client files consistent with...

We are looking for solicitors with a strong technical background who are confident working on complex private client matters and able to provide high levels of client service. Our private client team is one of the largest and most experienced in Hertfordshire with four partners, one consultant, three senior associates, six solicitors, a court of protection manager and four legal assistants. We are ranked tier 1 in Legal 500 and band 1 in Chambers HNW. We look after the needs of a vast number of Hertfordshire families but what sets us apart is our appeal to wealthy clients in London and the rest of the UK and those looking for a specialist trusts team. Our team is grouped into three main areas: Protecting and managing wealth now and in the future through inheritance tax, estate planning and estate administration. Lifetime planning, including Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection (COP) and professional deputyship services and the protection of vulnerable adults....

We are looking for a contentious trusts and probate specialist to join Hertfordshire’s leading Wills, trusts and probate team. They need to be passionate about this area and would play an integral role in helping key clients and taking this team, one of the largest and most experienced in Hertfordshire ranked top in both Legal 500 and Chambers HNW, to the next level. The role will involve: Advising on all areas of contentious trusts and probate such as: Removing executors or trustees Making a claim against an executor or trustees Defending claims by beneficiaries Challenging a Will or the terms of a Trust Inheritance Act claims Court of Protection and succession disputes Power of Attorney disputes Liaising with third parties, experts and other specialists An ability to build effective and positive relationships with clients, referrers and colleagues that embrace the importance of trust and collaboration Supervising junior members of staff Proactive...

We are looking for a solicitor or associate (1 - 4 years PQE) to join our busy St Albans commercial property team. We are looking for someone with a strong technical background, who has an interest in developing junior members of the team and business development. About the team Ranked Band 1 in Chambers and Tier 2 in Legal 500, w e work in true partnership with our clients combining personality with professionalism and a passion for what we do. We work with a wide range of clients throughout the UK, including developers, property investors, major corporations, public bodies, schools, owner occupiers, retailers, landlords, tenants and entrepreneurs. T he team consists of three partners, one consultant, one senior associate, two associates, two solicitors and two legal assistants, plus secretarial and admin staff. The team are based across our St Albans and Radlett offices. The work The team have varied caseloads mainly consisting of: landlord and tenant work...

We are looking for a contentious trusts and probate specialist to join Hertfordshire’s leading Wills, trusts and probate team. They need to be passionate about this area and would play an integral role in helping key clients and taking this team, one of the largest and most experienced in Hertfordshire ranked top in both Legal 500 and Chambers HNW, to the next level. The role will involve: Advising on all areas of contentious trusts and probate such as: Removing executors or trustees Making a claim against an executor or trustees Defending claims by beneficiaries Challenging a Will or the terms of a Trust Inheritance Act claims Court of Protection and succession disputes Power of Attorney disputes Liaising with third parties, experts and other specialists An ability to build effective and positive relationships with clients, referrers and colleagues that embrace the importance of trust and collaboration Supervising junior members of staff Proactive...

We are looking for a facilities apprentice to ensure the smooth day to day running of the facilities function. This is a full time role and the hours to be covered are 8.30am to 6pm. Key Responsibilities Activities will be varied and will include, but are not limited to, the following:   Facilities   ·       Undertaking regular stock takes of stationary, catering supplies, hygiene products and other consumables, reordering as necessary.   ·       Keeping the coffee machines clean and provisioned and acting as the first point of contact for any faults or engineer visits.   ·       Maintaining office printers ensuring that they are well stocked with paper and ink.   ·       Monitoring the facilities inbox and respond to or deal with enquires in an appropriate manner.   ·       Assisting with office moves and workstation set up - updating the office floor plan in a timely manner.   ·       Ensuring that the building is kept...

Our highly regarded commercial litigation team is described in the Legal 500 directory as having “perfect depth, excellent breadth, and a great team dynamic”. Led by Juliet Schalker, the team acts on a wide range of high quality commercial litigation work. The team often handles work referred from London and national practices where they are conflicted and has an extensive roster of Insolvency Practitioner clients. We are looking for a dynamic lawyer to help grow the team as it moves forward to the next level.  Key areas    Activities will be varied and will include, but are not limited to the following:   Dealing with new client enquiries.   Handling all aspects of general commercial litigation to include court claims, applications and advisory work in areas such as:   Contractual disputes   Director/shareholder disputes   Large debt claims    Insolvency litigation   Providing...

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious senior solicitor to join our growing Dispute Resolution team. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate a track record in fee generation both with referrers and developing relationships with clients. The role will suit someone with drive, energy and a desire to take the initiative in business development and bringing new work to the firm as well as building on existing clients and relationships. They will have high level experience handling complex commercial landlord and tenant disputes/claims including 1954 Act claims, terminal dilapidations claims as well as general property litigation including possession and sale claims, boundary disputes, property right disputes and disputed rights of way. Experience and working knowledge of cases dealing with statutory lease extensions, collective enfranchisement, commercial lease renewals, forfeiture, breach of commercial lease covenants and cases involving right of first refusal...