Sabrina Atwal

Looking for locum solicitor positions

January 2021- October 2023                       London Borough of Lambeth

Position held:                                 Locum Children’s Safeguarding Lawyer

Responsibilities:

• Working full time and holding a case load of 15 care cases.
• Proactively case managing by ensuring that deadlines are chased and met in accordance with court directions set, and ensuring that the escalation process is triggered in the event that documents do not reach the legal department on time with the senior clients. 
• Ensuring that bundles are updated in advance of hearings, and that counsel is briefed a week before to ensure that they have enough time to prep and prepare case summaries and draft orders for hearings. This also allows for any gaps in instructions to be explored with the clients. 
• Ensuring that the files are kept in good order in accordance with Lexcel compliance practices and that all emails, advice memos and documents are saved onto the system. 
• Issuing applications in a timely manner following legal planning meetings. 
• Drafting legal documents required on a case, threshold documents, skeleton arguments, case summaries, counsel’s briefs, adoption advice and applications. 
• Communicating effectively with clients and ensuring advice is clear and coherent in advice emails, letters and post court memos. 
• Ensuring that care planning meetings are scheduled to take place as soon as we receive all of the evidence and flagging this with the client’s to ensure these meetings are not delayed. 
• Drafting advice for each case after considering assessments, statements, and disclosure.
• Managing and working closely with a paralegal who assisted in updating bundles, issuing the drafted applications, and instructing counsel. 
• Representing the council at case management hearings and advocates meetings. 
• Working as part of one large team. 

October 2020 – January 2021                      London Borough Southwark

Position held:                                                Locum Safeguarding Lawyer

Responsibilities:

• Case load consisted of 8 care cases and 6 advice files. 
• Work was varied and included, neglect, substance misuse, Secure accommodation, and cases where parents were located abroad. 
• Whilst working at Southwark Local Authority I also issued EPO applications following children being police protected. I then followed on with issuing care proceedings promptly. 
• Duties included attending CPM, PLOs, drafting threshold documents, counsel’s briefs, position statements, C110A, C66, C20, A50, A58, part 25 applications, consent orders, collating bundles, internal memorandums, emailing the Judge/court, liaising with parties and advising clients. 
• Skills engaged includes, negotiation, organisation, communication, drafting, legal research and attention to detail. 
• Started this role remotely and was able to still develop a positive relationship with my team members by calling them and emailing them regularly. The team also held regular team meetings which I ensured I attended. I also ensured that I developed a positive relationship with my supervisor by keeping all lines of communication open with her. 

October 2019 – October 2020                      London Borough Tower Hamlets

Position held:                                                Locum Safeguarding Lawyer

Responsibilities:

• Case load consisted of 10 care cases 4 PLO cases and 5 advice files. 
• Work was varied and included, neglect, non- accidental injury, substance misuse, Secure accommodation and Deprivation of Liberty cases. 
• Have gained experience managing and supervising a paralegal who worked directly under me.
• Duties included attending CPM, LPMs, PLOs, drafting threshold documents, counsel’s briefs, position statements, C110A, C66, C20, A50, A58, part 25 applications, consent orders, collating bundles, internal memorandums, emailing the Judge/court, liaising with parties and advising clients. 
• Developed a good understanding of the Local Authority processes, whilst working at Tower Hamlets. 
• Skills engaged includes, negotiation, organisation, communication, drafting, legal research and attention to detail. 
• Whilst working at Tower Hamlet’s I developed a positive relationship with my colleagues, client department, as well as the local court staff. 
• Able to quickly learn on my feet and able to adapt to new environments.