Wajiha Shah
Redditch,UK
Summary
Experienced and reliable professional with a strong commitment to excellence and a proven track record in team leadership and motivation. Adept at effective communication, both written and oral, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to work independently while demonstrating initiative. Former governor and chair of governors at a local school, showcasing leadership capabilities and dedication to organisational success. Flexible, receptive to new concepts, and a dependable team player with a focus on achieving high standards in all endeavours.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Senior Solicitor
Birmingham City Council
Birmingham
2021.07 - Current
- Conducted employee training sessions on relevant laws and regulations.
- Opened communication channels with other officials to encourage productive dialogue.
- Fulfilled the Trusts objectives by overseeing line management responsibilities.
- Provided line management, motivational leadership and mentoring to staff team of 7 or more.
- Communicated ideas and information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
- To act as a legal advisor to the client organisations in relation to their Children’s social care functions to ensure compliance with statutory duties and obligations and to protect the best interests of the client organisations.
- Advise upon and conduct proceedings relating to the care and protection of children and young people to secure the proper course of action and balanced and favourable
Senior Child care Solicitor- Act Up- Job Share
Birmingham Children’s Trust
Birmingham
2020.07 - 2021.05
- Managing a team of solicitors and legal assistant
- Providing guidance and support to other members of the team
- Managing complex and challenging cases
- Attending Legal planning meetings and giving advice
Solicitor – Child Care Locum
Birmingham Children’s Trust
Birmingham
2015.12 - 2018.02
- Making emergency applications and attending emergency hearing
- Undertaking final contested hearings
- Attending and carrying out directions hearings
- Drafting Orders and leasing with judges
- Undertaking adoption cases
- Attending meetings with client departments
- Advocacy at family magistrate court, county court and high court
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of changes in law ensuring accurate advice given always.
- Identified potential risks in each case, mitigating negative impacts effectively.
- Drafted detailed legal documents for court proceedings ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Achieved successful case outcomes by conducting diligent research and preparation.
- Managed heavy caseloads, maintaining exceptional attention to detail under pressure.
Senior Legal Assistant – Child Care (Private Law)(Locum)
Warwickshire County Council
2012.01 - 2013.04
- Making applications to the court in respect of discharging Care Orders
- Conduct of a caseload of private law matters where the Local Authority has involvement but is not a party to proceedings and deal with duty calls on a regular basis
- Conducted own advocacy at First Appointment and Directions Hearings within a public and private law context;
- Instructed suitable experts where psychological and cognitive assessments were required both prior to and within the course of court proceedings;
- Liaised with client, solicitors, third parties and internal departments verbally/in writing;
- Drafted and edited Court and other related documentation, to include (but not limited to) the following: Application for Care Order, Case Summary, Consent Order (where disclosure was required in respect of previous proceedings), Draft Directions; Facts & Reasons; Instructions to Counsel; Minutes of meetings/Record of Court Hearing; Section 7/Section 37 Reports; Threshold (including reliance on composite threshold in respect of previous proceedings); Witness Statements and;
- Compiled bundles for use in court proceedings
Solicitor – Commercial Law (voluntary)
BA Globel Associates Ltd
2009.09 - 2010.03
- Dealing with company registration
- Dealing with general day to day queries from clients
- Drafting short hold tenancies as well as leases
- Attending meetings and drafting reports
Solicitor – Debt recovery
Birmingham City Council
2008.05 - 2008.06
- Overseeing approx 150 cases, ensuring that all relevant checks have been carried out to secure debt
- Liasing with client departments to ascertain information
- Making decisions to write off debts
- Instructing bailiffs
Trainee Solicitor
Birmingham City Council
2006.05 - 2008.04
- Seats completed: 9 months in public law and property division providing legal advice and services in support of most of councils main functions: Education, Property, Planning, Housing, Regeneration, Contracts, Licensing and Information law
- 9 months in litigation division: Criminal Litigation, Personal Injury, Housing, Employment tribunal work, civil litigation
- 6 months in Child protection and community care work including the welfare of elderly and mentally ill
Senior Legal Assistant- Employment Division
Birmingham City Council
2002.05 - 2006.04
- Defending and representing the city council in Employment tribunal proceedings
- Responsible for employment cases from start to finish involving drafting responses, requesting and replying to further and better particulars, drafting chronology of events, preparing bundles of documents for the tribunal hearing, brief to counsel
- Instructing and attending conferences with counsel
Legal Assistant- Commercial Property Division
Birmingham City Council
2001.10 - 2002.04
- Assisting fee earners with drafting and negotiating tenancy agreements
- Drafting S25 Notices, attending with senior staff to peaceful possession of council properties of non – repayment of rent
Legal practice
Cobbetts, Solicitors
Manchester
2000.09 - 2001.06
- Company Overview: Legal practice specialising in property
- Dealing with acquisitions and disposals from the date of receipt of heads of terms to completion
- Drafting and agreeing Leases on behalf of both Landlord and tenant
- Undertaking standard and pre completion conveyancing searches
- Preparation of property reports
- Mortgage redemption (including receipts and reassignments of life policies)
- Drafting Agreements, Lease, Contracts, Transfers (of whole and part)
- Legal practice specialising in property
Sales assistant and latterly Supervisor (Saturday)
Superdrug Stores
Redditch
1994.06 - 2000.07
Legal Assistant (Voluntary)
Wolverhampton Magistrates Court
1999.06 - 1999.07
- Preparation and checking of documentation both pre and post case
- Providing assistances to various departments
- General office tasks
Education
Post Graduate Diploma - Legal Practice Course (LPC)
Birmingham University
1999.01 - 2000.01
LLB (Hons) - Law with Psychology
Wolverhampton University
1996.01 - 1999.01
One year Pitman Business Course - undefined
Bridley Moor High School
1993.01 - 1996.01
Skills
- Communicate effectively both orally and written
- Reliable and committed team player
- Attention to detail
- Flexible and receptive to new concepts
- Ability to work alone and to demonstrate initiative
- Previously Governor and chair of governors at local school
- Team leadership and motivation
- Commitment to excellence
Referees
- Suzanne Waters, Birmingham Children’s Trust, 1 Lancester Circus, Birmingham, England, 0121 464 3096
Personal Information
- Date of birth: 02/22/77
- Nationality: British
- Marital status: Married
Affiliations
- Keeping fit ( walking and going to the gym), Travelling
Timeline
Senior Solicitor
Birmingham City Council
2021.07 - Current
Senior Child care Solicitor- Act Up- Job Share
Birmingham Children’s Trust
2020.07 - 2021.05
Solicitor – Child Care Locum
Birmingham Children’s Trust
2015.12 - 2018.02
Senior Legal Assistant – Child Care (Private Law)(Locum)
Warwickshire County Council
2012.01 - 2013.04
Solicitor – Commercial Law (voluntary)
BA Globel Associates Ltd
2009.09 - 2010.03
Solicitor – Debt recovery
Birmingham City Council
2008.05 - 2008.06
Trainee Solicitor
Birmingham City Council
2006.05 - 2008.04
Senior Legal Assistant- Employment Division
Birmingham City Council
2002.05 - 2006.04
Legal Assistant- Commercial Property Division
Birmingham City Council
2001.10 - 2002.04
Legal practice
Cobbetts, Solicitors
2000.09 - 2001.06
Legal Assistant (Voluntary)
Wolverhampton Magistrates Court
1999.06 - 1999.07
Post Graduate Diploma - Legal Practice Course (LPC)
Birmingham University
1999.01 - 2000.01
LLB (Hons) - Law with Psychology
Wolverhampton University
1996.01 - 1999.01
Sales assistant and latterly Supervisor (Saturday)
Superdrug Stores
1994.06 - 2000.07
One year Pitman Business Course - undefined
Bridley Moor High School
1993.01 - 1996.01