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 Real Estate team is one of the leading and largest UK Real Estate teams, recently winning “Legal Team of the Year” at the Estates Gazettes awards. We are spread nationally across all offices and represent an impressive range of household name clients from developers, investors and corporate occupiers through to banks and funders on some of the highest value and profile projects around.

We have one of the largest residential development teams in the UK, advising major housebuilders and developers in all regions. The team is one of the few firms that can genuinely claim to be experts in this area. We have a team of more than 50 legal advisers focusing on the residential development market, acting for homebuilders, entrepreneurs, traders, investors and landowners. The services the team offer range from strategic land to site assembly, acquisitions and development. In addition to this, services are backed by our specialist teams in construction, litigation, environmental law and tax. 

We are looking for a Paralegal to join our team in Birmingham. You will have an opportunity to work closely with our experienced lawyers and enjoy significant client contact.

You will provide invaluable support to the team and build and develop your technical expertise and legal skills.

Full training and support will be provided by members of the team. Main responsibilities will include:

• Preparing site set up documentation/pack to include preparation of the draft contracts, transfers, title pack and site set up documents.
• Liaising with the client and preferred solicitors to approve the draft transfer and estate layout plans.
• Dealing with deeds of easements and deeds of covenant, substation transfers and infrastructure and utility agreements.
• Dealing with sale of freehold blocks of apartments.
• Reports on title for development sites.
• Reports on search results for development sites.
• Reports on leases, development agreements, sale agreements, agreements for grant.
• Prepare deeds of easements, deeds of grant, transfer of public open space, sub-station transfers, pumping station transfers, deeds of covenant, certificates confirming compliance of restrictions.
• Dealing with s.104, s.38 and s.106 agreements.
• Dealing with part-exchange properties bought by developer clients which includes title due diligence, searches due diligence, reports on title, exchange and completion.
• Post-completion work which includes liaising with the Land Registry, preparing completion statements, submitting transfer applications, preparing SDLT forms.
• Assist with site acquisitions which includes drafting management company agreements.
• Obtain indemnity insurance policies and provide full reports and any other support required for the team.

• Degree and LPC or Ilex qualification
• Ideally 6 months previous Residential Development experience or general real estate or commercial experience within a professional environment. 
• 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 applications – word, excel, outlook, digital dictation (not essential)
• 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
• A methodical and organised approach with keen attention paid to every detail
• Excellent organisational skills are required for this role 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 with excellent communication skills
• Able to integrate within a team as well as working on your 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.