Associate Legal Counsel
Role Summary
John Wilson Partners is seeking a dedicated legal professional to join a law practice with over 125 years of history. The selected candidate will assist with litigation, notarial, and general legal work, while independently managing assigned follow-ups, deadlines, and client correspondence under the supervision of senior lawyers.
Key Responsibilities
- Attend courts, registries, government institutions, and other relevant authorities.
- Handle instructing work, coordinate counsel consultations, court appearances, written submissions, and case preparation.
- Conduct legal research on legislation, case law, and procedural matters.
- Prepare case summaries, legal research notes, chronologies, and briefs.
- Draft legal correspondence, letters of demand, pleadings, motions, affidavits, petitions, and other court documents.
- Assist with the preparation and execution of deeds, agreements, powers of attorney, declarations, and other notarial documents.
- Review title deeds, plans, searches, and supporting documents relating to property and notarial matters.
- Communicate with clients regarding documents, appointments, case updates, and outstanding requirements.
- Maintain complete and organized physical and electronic matter files.
- Monitor court dates, filing deadlines, client instructions, and other assigned follow-up work.
- Maintain accurate records of work for billing and file-management purposes.
- Report regularly to the responsible senior lawyer on the status of assigned matters.
Requirements
- Admitted and enrolled as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.
- Valid Notarial Licence in English or Sinhala.
- Between 1 and 3 years of post-qualification legal experience.
- Practical experience in court work, instructing, legal drafting, or notarial work.
- Strong legal research and written drafting skills.
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
- Ability to manage assigned work, deadlines, and follow-ups with limited supervision.
- Good communication, organizational, and file-management skills.
- Ability to maintain professional confidentiality and deal with clients responsibly.
Additional Advantages
- Ability to work in Sinhala and/or Tamil.
- Experience in civil litigation, commercial matters, conveyancing, or company-related work.
- Experience using electronic legal research, document-management, and office systems.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should email a detailed Curriculum Vitae, contact details of two non-related referees, and a recent photograph to jwp@srilankalaw.com.
The email subject should state: Application for the Position of Junior Lawyer.
Applicants should clearly set out their date of admission as an Attorney-at-Law, details of their Notarial Licence, current employment status, and relevant legal experience.