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 Employment team is widely respected for providing an excellent service, providing pragmatic and timely legal advice to its highly regarded client base. The team primarily works with employer clients along with some individual advisory work and a mix of both contentious and non-contentious matters. We also have specialists in advocacy, corporate work and business immigration.

Our Leeds office has seen significant growth in recent times and this is an exciting opportunity to be part of an ambitious, dynamic employment team.  You will assist all team members in providing a comprehensive and quality service, with a focus on employer clients and a mixed caseload of contentious and non-contentious matters. 

• Responsibility for assisting with the management of Employment Tribunal cases.
• Drafting, reviewing and analysing documents, including ET3s, disclosure and bundle documents and statements
• Assisting with the drafting of general documents and letters, contracts of employment and associated documents. Solid drafting skills are essential
• Providing advice to clients using employment law helplines
• Reviewing and drafting Policies, Handbooks and Contracts
• Assisting clients in negotiations with regard to termination and addressing issues such as: Settlement Agreements, disciplinary and grievance issues and procedures
• Managing your own workload
• Supporting the team with networking including seminars, conferences and social events

• Law graduate or studying towards your CILEx qualification
• Must be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in employment law and want to progress
• Ideally have gained 2 years experience within Employment law
• Good organisational skills to ensure that the tasks are effectively scheduled within working time available, and that urgent work is completed and returned with the specified timescales
• A methodical and organised approach with keen attention paid to every detail
• Be commercially aware and highly client focussed
• Excellent communication skills
• Self-confident 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
•  Ability to adapt to change, new practices and remain calm under pressure and find solutions

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.