We have an exciting opportunity for a Paralegal to join our growing Engagement Terms Team, based in the A&O Shearman Belfast office. This role offers the chance to work at the core of the firms business acceptance, data quality and risk management processes, supporting a global team and gaining exposure to high‑quality legal operations work. This is a 12‑month FTC opportunity.
The Engagement Terms Team - Belfast
The Engagement Terms Team (ETT) is a global function that provides a first‑class service to the firms partners and fee earners offering strategic legal support on a wide range of client engagement terms and risk related issues. Engagement Terms are the contracts which we need to have in place with each of our clients. They are one of our most fundamental tools of risk management and cover most of our key regulatory and commercial areas of risk as well as the relationships we have with our clients, so the breadth of responsibility and expertise required in this area is very great.
What you will do
* Support the maintenance and accuracy of client and client‑group records across the firms core databases.
* Provide high‑quality administrative and organisational support to the Business Acceptance Unit (BAU) teams in Belfast and London.
* Collect, scan, organise and store essential records, ensuring they are captured and held correctly in relevant systems.
* Contribute to the development and improvement of BAU internal record‑management processes and databases.
* Work closely with Finance and Business Development to ensure client and matter information remains accurate and up to date.
* Carry out systematic reviews of records across multiple platforms including the Engagement Terms Database (ETD), Legacy Shearman Database and the Client Commercial Database (CCD).
* Assist with reconciling discrepancies between databases alongside Finance and the ETT Team.
* Prepare clear summaries of findings, highlight inconsistencies and flag records needing further investigation.
* Draft tailored communications to relationship partners summarising data insights and seeking verification of current engagement terms.
* Liaise directly with partners to confirm the validity of terms, assess whether renegotiation is required and record appetite for updates or renewals.
* Escalate complex queries or issues to the ETT Legal Team when needed.
* Help monitor service levels within the ETT and contribute to the teams continuous improvement initiatives.
* Provide paralegal support, research assistance and project help to the ETT Legal Team.
What you will have
* Previous paralegal experience within a leading or top‑tier law firm.
* Experience within a Risk and Compliance function (preferred but not essential).
* Strong organisational abilities and proven experience managing and maintaining databases.
* Exposure to drafting commercial contracts is advantageous.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence engaging stakeholders at all levels.
* Outstanding attention to detail and the ability to manage and process large volumes of information with accuracy and consistency.
What we can offer you
We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include:
* Occupational pension scheme
* Group income protection cover
* Mental health resources and free apps
* Health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back‑up care support, parental and special leave, online discounts and lifestyle management services
We recognise the value of flexible working and embrace hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do, however, remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.
Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.
We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
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