Legal Clerk at Duma works

Job Purpose

• To ensure that the firm’s clients are satisfied.
• To ensure the firm is profitable by consistently completing tasks efficiently, timely and cost effectively.
• To successfully promote the firm’s brand visibility & reputation internally and externally.
• Achieve your ones Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Successfully deliver the Departments strategic goals & operational efficiencies.

Key responsibilities

Legal Services

• To understand the fundamentals of our client’s work and their business goals.
• To understand the client’s industries and the stakeholders involved.
• To ensure compliance with local, county, national, and international laws that regulate the economic sector or industry to which the business belongs.
• To manage both big and small legal concerns that the client might have during regular business.
• To do everything in our power to protect our client.
• To collaborate with our clients and take a proactive – rather than reactive – approach to litigation and ensure that our clients are never caught off guard by an unexpected turn of events.
• To take immediate action/steps that need to be taken to mitigate client’s risk of liability.
• To help our clients navigate the complexities of their business disputes from beginning to end.
• To choose the correct path for legal disputes.
• To help clients make informed decisions focused on securing a cost-effective and favourable resolution.
• To quickly identify clients’ disputes strengths and any potential weaknesses when facing litigation.
• To work with the client to understand their business priorities and build a case strategy cantered on what matters most to the client.
• To develop litigation strategies and provide court precedents that support the client’s goals.
• To file and defend clients in business litigation suits.
• To identifying legal claims and counterclaims when clients are sued, and defenses clients can raise when sued.
• To talk to the people in the client’s company who were involved and look for potential witnesses who can corroborate the issue.
• To obtain evidence, including finding expert witnesses if necessary to testify on clients behalf.
• To manage the discovery process, including turning over required information, reviewing the information provided and interviewing witnesses.
• To submit all litigation paperwork, including motions and pleadings, during the pre-trial and trial phase.
• To negotiate settlements or explore possibilities for other out-of-court dispute resolution alternatives.
• To present evidence in support of client claims and make arguments court/mediation or arbitration proceedings.
• To appeal unfavourable decisions resulting from commercial cases in which legal or procedural errors occurred.
• To provide legal advice/opinions on the implications of government actions, new laws, court decisions and regulations and other stakeholder actions.
• To minimize the client’s exposure to litigation.
• To ensure that the necessary documents are filed with the appropriate governmental authorities and that the documents contain all the information and disclosures required by law.
• To understand and navigate the effects of modern technology.
• To ensure all legal documents are complete, accurate and properly stored.
• To educate our clients regarding various legalities and illegalities throughout their day-to-day business.
• To work with in-house legal departments and provide advice to the people running and working in the business.
• To act as the liaison between the client and its stakeholders.
• To tap into your networks to assist our clients.

Legal Operations

• To prepare for cases by preparing & binding pleadings, exhibits, affidavits of service, subpoenas, evidence, court file perusals and registry reports.
• To ensure that pleadings and related documents are filed within the same day of preparation or the following day if the pleadings prepared after 2:00 pm for filing in the courts or arbitrator/mediator’s offices.
• To ensure that return of service if filed on the day following the effect of service. o To advise the Advocates on compliance with registry rules and any changes in the registry and court filing processes.

Work in Progress (WIP):

• To attend registries, boards and other government or other offices for purposes including filing, registrations, making payments, making & lodging applications, fixing dates, perusals and searches, field inquiries, extracting court orders, obtaining consents, obtaining conveyancing demands and certificates.
• To report by email to Associates & Team handling the matter the results of WIP by preparing daily, weekly & monthly status updates/dockets.
• To prepare legal drafts by assembling and organizing information for legal forms and documents, including complaints, declarations, discovery requests, responses, and other pleadings.
• To assemble case materials by collecting, organizing, and summarizing information, documents, reports, and evidence.
• To maintain records and electronic files for WIP.
• To maintain Clio by entering and updating requirements, court dates, and meetings.
• To protect law firm’s reputation by keeping client information confidential.
• To update job knowledge by participating in continuing educational opportunities; reading legal publications; maintaining personal networks – Refer to the compliance policy (accessible from the server).
• To enhance firm’s reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• To effect service and delivery of requisite dispatch.
• To advice on efficient handling of a matter including; o documents needed for successful completion and o registration various processes and procedures at the registries;
• Where necessary updating clients and calling for documents which are in their possession.
• To arrange files in the law firm’s registry and attaching them to relevant files utilising the firm’s case management system.
• To coordinate and schedule appointments and meetings.
• To coordinate with Staff on opening the office on or before 7.00AM and closing of office every work weekday.

Finance & Accounting

• To discuss with clients the possible costs of the litigation including the legal fees.
• To bill and collect monthly personal billings of five times your salary.
• To ensure upfront payment of: 100% of disbursements, tax & government fees and 70% of legal fees. With 30% balance of legal fees at conclusion of the matter.

Business Development

• Continuously innovate on how to provide great client experiences.
• Obtain at least 1 new instruction from each client monthly.
• Attend & organise conferences, trade shows and other networking events.

People & Culture

• To put your own personal agenda aside and always consider what is the right thing for the firm.
• To behave according to the guidelines in the firm’s employer brand book.
• To build strong working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Share information, knowhow, and best practice with colleagues.
• Develop and maintain the competencies necessary to provide a proper standard of service to clients and maintain a record of professional development.

Knowledge, skills and qualifications

1. Qualified Legal Clerk
2. Licensed Process Server.
3. Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) OR A-Levels, IGSCE’S OR Relevant High School Diploma
4. Minimum Grade B in both English & Mathematics