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.

Shoosmiths has one of the most active and dynamic corporate teams nationwide and has in the last three successive years been recognised in the top five law firms for volume of UK deals undertaken.

We advise public and private companies, management teams, investors and debt providers through the business life cycle, from start-up and first round finance through M&A, management transactions, development funding, restructuring, capital reductions, private equity funding and exits.

• Assisting on Corporate transactions (under supervision).
• Drafting of documents and reports (under supervision)
• Due diligence work assisting in reviewing documents, preparing reports and act as co-ordinator between other Shoosmiths teams.
• Assisting legal advisors in the department with various corporate law matters and administrative tasks.
• Responding to matters for key clients, often with short deadlines.
• Recording time and working towards billing targets
• Communicating effectively and confidently with clients and external solicitors (both in writing and by telephone) and third parties (e.g. debtors/bankrupts, the court, Counsel etc)
• Assisting with various other tasks as required.

• Degree and ideally LPC or ILEX qualified
• 6 months previous corporate paralegal experience preferred or previous commercial paralegal experience within a professional environment
• Excellent client care skills,  with an ability to deliver a quality service to both internal and external clients
• Enthusiastic with a positive attitude
• Good working knowledge of various applications – word, excel, outlook
• 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
• Excellent communication skills
• Able to integrate within a team as well as working on ones 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.