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 four 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.

You will have the opportunity to gain excellent exposure to high quality work, working closely alongside the Partner and Legal Director in the team. Your main responsibilities will generally include assisting on a wide range of corporate transactions and will include but not be limited to:

• conducting due diligence
• drafting documents and reports
• reviewing and collating documentation
• communicating effectively and confidently with clients and external solicitors (both in writing and by telephone) and third parties
• acting as a co-ordinator between other departments within Shoosmiths
• recording time and working towards billings targets
• assisting legal advisors in the department with various corporate law matters and administrative tasks. 

• Degree and ideally also LPC or ILEX qualified but not essential
• 6 months previous corporate paralegal experience preferred but not essential
• Enthusiastic with a positive attitude
• Good working knowledge of various applications – word, excel, outlook
• Excellent attention to detail taken with all correspondence and documentation
• Flexible, with the ability to adapt to change, new practices and remain calm under pressure
• 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.