Paralegal

Shoosmiths - UK Law Firm of the Year Winner at the Legal Week British Legal Awards 2015.

A leading UK law firm with a network of offices from the South Coast to Scotland, working together as one national team. An innovative practice and the first top 100 law firm to achieve “Gold Standard” Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. The lack of barriers between departments, a real lack of hierarchy, zero tolerance for arrogance and pomposity makes Shoosmiths a fantastic place to work.

The award-winning corporate group of Shoosmiths LLP is recruiting for a paralegal to join our Thames Valley based team.

The team advises public and private companies, management teams, investors and debt providers right through the business life cycle, from start up and first round finance through to mergers and acquisitions, MBO and MBI transactions, development funding, and on exits, whether by way of sale, listing or private equity investment.

The successful candidate will join the Thames Valley corporate team (based in Reading, Berkshire) and will have the opportunity to experience a high volume of M & A transactions and a wide range of corporate work as well as supporting the national corporate group based in other Shoosmiths offices as required.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly and collegiate team with a great reputation in the market.  It would suit hard-working individuals who are eager to be part of a successful and developing practice.

• Managing client files, running files on corporate matters. 
• Drafting of documents and reports.
• Due diligence work, assisting in reviewing documents, preparing reports and acting as due diligence co-ordinator between the corporate team and other Shoosmiths teams in different practice areas.
• Assisting legal advisers with various corporate law matters and administrative tasks.
• Responding to matters for clients, often with short deadlines.
• Communicating effectively and confidently (in writing and by telephone) with clients, external solicitors and third parties (e.g. Companies House).
• Assisting with various other tasks as required.
• Recording time and working towards billing targets.

• Excellent academic record to degree level and ideally with the LPC completed.
• Ideally, at least 6 months’ paralegal experience, preferably in corporate work. Other relevant work experience (whether legal or non-legal) using the key skills required for this position will be considered.
• Self-confidence and ability to use initiative. 
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong time management and organisational skills.
• The ability successfully to manage own workload and work both independently and as part of a team.
• An enthusiastic, positive, “can do” attitude with outstanding attention to detail.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft packages including Word and Outlook (though training will be provided).

Shoosmiths is a committed Equal Opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.