Paralegal

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.

Our national banking and finance team advises clients on a range of financing transactions across a wide variety of sectors, often with a multi-jurisdictional element. Acting for borrowers, lenders and investors means we have a practical understanding of the needs of all parties to a financing transaction. Our expertise extends to corporate lending, acquisition finance, asset finance, real estate finance, marine and shipping finance, invoice discounting, and refinancings. We work closely with some of the UK's major banks and financial institutions, and have approved panel solicitor status with many of them. We manage transactions from start to finish, ensuring a smooth and cohesive process, enabling clients to continue to focus on building their relationships and running their businesses.

Assisting the team on various elements of finance transactions (including real estate finance, acquisition finance, ABL and corporate loans.  Tasks will include but not limited to:-

• Drafting corporate authorisation documentation.
• Obtaining and reviewing information from Companies House.
• Drafting ancillary documentation (side letters, fee letters, amendment agreements).
• Preparing guarantee, security and release documentation
• Monitor and check other conditions precedent requirements
• Assisting the team with post-completion work in relation to finance transactions
• Preparation of completion bibles and post-transaction summary reports
• Dealing with registration of security post-closing
• Helping to update internal databases
• Ad hoc research in relation to legal matters
• Assisting with various other tasks as required.
• Attending marketing and networking events with clients

• Degree and ideally LPC or ILEX qualified
• 6 months previous paralegal experience within a similar role or previous corporate paralegal experience within a professional environment
• Excellent client care skills,  with an ability to deliver a quality service to both internal and external clients
• Self-confidence and ability to demonstrate initiative
• Ability to grasp things quickly and easily.
• Ability to work in a high pressure environment with short deadlines
• Enthusiastic with a positive, can do attitude
• Good working knowledge of various applications – word, excel, outlook
• Excellent presentation skills reflected in their work
• A methodical and organised approach with keen attention paid to every detail
• Good organisational skills to ensure that the tasks are effectively scheduled within working time available, and that urgent work is completed and returned within the specified timescales.
• Friendly, calm and helpful approach to dealing with queries
• Excellent communication skills
• Able to integrate within a team as well as working on one’s own initiative
• Prepared to get involved in business development, including the attendance at networking and other marketing events.

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.