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 top ranking Commercial group “epitomises professionalism – they are just what in-house counsel require – very experienced; intelligent, commercially minded; and supreme negotiators” (The Legal 500). From contracts for e-business to major outsourcing projects, and whether relating to purchasing, production, marketing, selling, infrastructure or technology, our lawyers understand the need to be both commercial and apply the law in real life situations in partnering our clients to achieve their commercial objectives.

• Managing client files, running files on commercial law matters (under supervision) sometimes with short deadlines
• Performing contract reviews and producing key issue reports for our clients (also under supervision) as part of our Spotlight team
• Assisting TMC Legal Advisers and PAs in ensuring that invoicing and debtor days targets are met
• Being available to accept opportunities for secondment to any of TMCs major clients (which can be based anywhere in England)
• Assisting legal advisors in the department with various commercial law matters
• Communicating effectively and confidently with clients and external solicitors (both in writing and by telephone) to provide advice and deal with initial queries
• Recording time and working towards billing targets set within the commercial team
• Assisting with various other tasks as required from time to time 

• Degree and LPC or ILEX qualified.
• 6-12 months previous paralegal experience within professional services, ideally legal
• Excellent client care skills
• Self-confidence and ability to demonstrate initiative
• Ability to grasp things quickly and easily
• Enthusiastic with a positive, can-do attitude
• Good working knowledge of various IT applications – word, excel, outlook
• A high level of attention to detail and an organised, methodical approach
• Understanding that some work outside of contracted hours may be required to ensure client demands are met
• Flexible, with the ability to adapt to change and new practices
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and find solutions
• 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 (sometimes short) timescales
• Friendly and helpful approach to dealing with queries
• Excellent communication skills
• Good sense of humour and able to integrate within a smaller team as well as working on ones own initiative
• Ability to deliver a superb client 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.