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 Property Litigation team has extensive experience and unrivalled expertise in dealing with this complex area of the law. With one of the largest property litigation practices in the UK, we are able to assist clients in all areas of landlord and tenant litigation, and in any real estate dispute. We act, for example, in connection with break notices; dilapidations; forfeiture; land registration disputes; issues relating to landlord's consent; lease renewals; possession claims; recovery of rent and other arrears; rights to light and other easement disputes; service charge issues; property related insolvency; and restrictive covenants. We also advise on a number of niche areas of law, including property related telecommunications issues, judicial review, and agricultural law. Our clients include household names in the retail and leisure sectors, investment landlords, developers of both commercial and residential land, local authorities, and other public bodies.

Shoosmiths' Property Litigation Team is expanding. The team of 8 Partners and 17 other legal advisers, operating out of 5 of our offices, is looking for a paralegal to join its team in Birmingham.  The successful candidate will carry out a varied commercial landlord and tenant litigation caseload, with a particular emphasis on Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 lease renewal claims (including the service of Section 25 Notices and Section 26 Requests) but also including advice on tenant default and possession claims, acting mainly for clients in the retail and leisure sector.

To be successful you will be able to deal with a high-volume caseload with appropriate supervision.  A sound working knowledge of Word and Excel is required.  Candidates should also have good communication skills, and want to take an active role in the marketing of Shoosmiths’ real estate litigation offering to potential clients.

This is an opportunity to join one of the profession’s biggest property litigation teams.  It is also an excellent opportunity to work with a varied and impressive client base, including well known national retailers and other end users of commercial property, commercial and residential developers, and investment landlords.

• Recording time and working towards billing targets

• Assisting other legal advisors in the department with transactions
• Dealing with a varied commercial landlord and tenant litigation caseload with a particular emphasis on Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 lease renewal claims
• Communicating effectively and confidently with clients and external solicitors (both in writing and by telephone) to deal with queries in relation to both post-completion work and own matters.
• Completing reports and schedules.
• Assisting on matters connected with other legal departments including for example corporate transactions.
• Assisting with various other tasks as required

• Previous real estate or property litigation experience desirable – although specific training will be provided
• Law Degree, LPC or completed/working towards ILEX qualification.
• Excellent client care skills
• Self-confidence and ability to demonstrate initiative
• Ability to grasp things quickly and easily.
• Enthusiastic, energetic with a positive, can do attitude
• Good working knowledge of various applications – word, excel, outlook, digital dictation
• Taking care and attention into all correspondence and documentation
• Flexible with the ability to adapt to change, new practices and remain calm under pressure and find solutions
• 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 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
• Ability to deliver a quality service to both internal and external clients.

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.