Paralegal

We are a top 50 law firm with 190 partners and around 1,700 staff in total.  We have 12 locations in the UK and a significant international network.  Our clients include some of the largest financial, automotive, telecoms and technology businesses in the UK.

We champion diversity and inclusion, and our mission is to attract and nurture a diverse group of people and to create an environment and culture that is genuinely inclusive, in which every member of staff feels valued for their contribution.  We have been awarded Gold status in the Law Society Diversity and Inclusion Charter in recognition of our commitment to this.  We were also the first major law firm to achieve “Gold Standard” Investors in People.

We have received many awards which reflect the quality and efforts of the firm, most recently we were named National Law firm of the year at The Lawyer Awards 2019

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.

This role is within our financial services team which specialises in consumer finance, motor dealer funding and asset finance. You will be given the opportunity to manage your own caseload (with supervision) and enjoy significant client contact. You will provide invaluable support to the team and build and develop your technical expertise and legal skills. We would love to hear from paralegals with experience of or a genuine interest in financial services.

We are a values-driven business – our values are at the core of the firm and we evaluate how we behave in accordance with these values through a competency framework. This role is considered to be at competency Level 1 in our internal framework. 

• Managing all motor dealer funding security transactions for dealer funding clients (under supervision). 
• Provide day to day brand advertising support to key clients.
• Provide day to day advertising support to retail arms of key clients, focusing on consumer credit advertising and provide support to the team with consumer credit advertising advice to clients when required.
• Provide the team with weekly updates on Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) adjudications and recent advertising commentary.
• General support to dealer funding clients on general banking, corporate and commercial queries. To include drafting adhoc documents, carrying out adhoc legal research. 
• Assisting in preparing client presentations, detailed client notes and legal research. 
• Assisting legal advisors in the department with various general commercial law matters and commercial contract reviews.
• Assisting with the drafting of legal terms and conditions, particularly in relation to competitions and prize draws.
• Keeping up to date with legal updates and legislation changes and updating the team accordingly.
• Communicating effectively and confidently with clients and external solicitors (both in writing and by telephone) to provide advice and deal with initial queries.
• Managing matters for key clients, sometimes with short deadlines.
• Recording time and working towards billing targets set within the commercial team.
• Assisting with various other tasks as required

• Degree and LPC or ILEX qualified.
• Preferably 6-12 months previous legal experience within a paralegal role within a Commercial practice area
• 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 etc.
• 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.
• A methodical and organised approach with keen attention paid to every detail.
• 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 timescales.
• Friendly and helpful approach to dealing with queries.
• 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.