Paralegal

Shoosmiths - UK Law Firm of the Year Winner at the Legal Week British Legal Awards 2015.

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.

We offer professional and effective advice in making a personal injury claim or seeking justice and compensation for occupational diseases such as mesothelioma. Our expertise in litigation is informed by an appreciation of the importance of providing the correct ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation support. We have established contacts with organisations that provide practical assistance in the aftermath of a serious personal injury. Irrespective of a client' s personal financial situation, we provide advice about mitigating the financial impact of an injury and suggest strategies to protect any compensation award to fund continuing care while maintaining entitlement to State and other support.

We understand all the medical implications and consequences of various types of personal and occupational injury and realise that compensation is often merely the means to the far more important end of ensuring a good quality of life for our clients.

We have two Paralegal roles based in our Basingstoke office and focused on providing an exceptional experience for all potential, new and existing clients.   You will be responsible for assisting with a wide variety of cases from low to high value claims.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include, but not exclusively:

• Managing own caseload of smaller value personal injury or occupational disease cases.
• Assisting with higher value claims, to include evidence gathering, taking statements, commissioning medical/experts’ reports as required, attending witnesses and preparing Court documents.
• Attending conferences with Counsel and attending Court and accident locations, as required.
• Visiting clients around the UK.
• Research and preparation of legal papers.
• Assisting in business development and attending marketing functions.

Successful candidates will have an excellent telephone manner, strong client orientation and professional approach.

You must demonstrate the following:-

• Self-confidence and ability to demonstrate initiative
• Ability to grasp instructions quickly and easily
• Calm under pressure with ability to find solutions
• Enthusiastic with a positive, can do attitude
• Good working knowledge of various applications – word, excel, outlook etc.
• Taking care and attention with all correspondence and documentation
• Flexible with the ability to adapt to change, new practices and cope under pressure
• Excellent presentation skills reflected in their work
• A methodical and organised approach with keen attention to 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 own initiative
• Able to deliver a quality service to both internal and external clients

Previous experience of portal-related litigation would be an advantage.  Applicants may have a degree/LPC or be working towards the CILEx qualification.

A full clean driving licence is desirable.

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.