Practice Area: Conveyancing / Litigation / Private Client (dependent on experience)
Location: Dewsbury (Office-based with flexibility)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Experience: Senior Solicitor (ideally 5+ PQE or equivalent experience)
About the Role
Gardner Champion Solicitors is seeking an experienced Solicitor to lead a team while continuing to manage their own caseload.
This is a senior, hands-on role for a solicitor who enjoys both delivering high-quality legal work and supporting the development and performance of others. You will play a key role in maintaining standards, managing workflow, and contributing to the ongoing success of your department.
This position suits someone ready to step into a leadership role within a stable, established firm, without moving away from day-to-day legal practice.
About Gardner Champion
Gardner Champion is a long-established, SRA-regulated law firm with over two centuries of legal heritage. We provide practical, client-focused legal services and place strong emphasis on professionalism, quality, and long-term relationships — with both clients and colleagues.
We are proud holders of Lexcel accreditation and members of the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (where applicable).
Key Responsibilities
Casework
- Managing a personal caseload from instruction through to completion
- Delivering clear, practical, and timely legal advice
- Maintaining high standards of client care and regulatory compliance
Team Leadership
- Leading and supervising a team of solicitors, paralegals, and support staff
- Overseeing file progression, workloads, and deadlines
- Providing guidance, mentoring, and support to team members
- Reviewing work and ensuring consistent quality across the team
- Acting as a point of escalation for complex or sensitive matters
Operational & Quality Oversight
- Supporting compliance with SRA, Lexcel, and internal procedures
- Contributing to improvements in processes and efficiency
- Working closely with management on capacity planning and performance
- Supporting onboarding and training of new team members
What We’re Looking For
Essential:
- Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)
- Strong experience in the relevant practice area
- Proven ability to manage files independently
- Experience supervising or mentoring others (formal or informal)
- Strong organisational and communication skills
- A professional, measured leadership style
Desirable:
- Previous team lead or departmental responsibility
- Experience working within Lexcel / CQS standards
- Interest in longer-term progression into senior or management roles
What This Role Is (and Isn’t)
This role is:
- Hands-on and client-facing
- Responsible for both people and casework
- Suited to a solicitor who enjoys leading by example
This role is not:
- A purely managerial or strategic role
- A high-volume, factory-style environment
- A role removed from legal work
Why Join Gardner Champion?
- Lead a team within an established, respected law firm
- Maintain a balanced caseload while developing leadership experience
- Work in a professional, supportive environment
- Competitive salary, dependent on experience
- Long-term career progression within the firm