Paralegal
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Term: Permanent
Working hours: Full-time
Team: Dispute Resolution and Litigation
Location: Belfast
The firm
Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world's most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve 'Platinum Standard' Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.
We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.
To discover more about our benefits, please visit: Benefits Package
The team
Our Litigation and Dispute Resolution department provides a complete range of commercial litigation and dispute resolution services. Our team provides specialist advice to large corporate clients in respect of complex and high-value disputes in Northern Ireland, across a wide range of sectors.
The role
You will be supporting a team of solicitors in respect of high-value commercial and property disputes. This will involve litigation before all tiers of court in Northern Ireland.
You will assist the team with the management of a variety of cases and will be an enthusiastic, motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. You will have strong communication skills and be proficient in the use of the full suite of Microsoft Office applications. You will be organised and a team-player with strong drafting and legal research skills.
Main responsibilities
* Conducting legal research on complex areas of law, to include use of Westlaw, Lexis Nexis and Practical Law.
* Conducting searches at the Land Registry, the Courts & Tribunals Service, the Enforcement of Judgments Office and at Companies House.
* Drafting correspondence to the Court and liaising with the Court Offices in respect of live cases.
* Drafting correspondence to opposing Counsel and other stakeholders.
* Briefing Counsel in respect of new instructions.
* Providing comprehensive and detailed written updates to clients in respect of the status of ongoing work.
* Assisting with drafting pleadings and affidavits.
* Arranging, preparing for, and attending client meetings and calls and maintaining clear attendance records and records of takeaway action points.
* Diarising key dates and deadlines for the team.
* File management to ensure that clients' cases are progressed in a timely and efficient manner.
* Ensuring that financial records are accurately maintained for each matter, to include dealing with third-party supplier costs and providing updates to the team in respect of costs.
* Assisting with billing and invoicing clients.
* Taking personal responsibility for compliance with all relevant client and internal Service Level Agreements.
* Ensuring that all training and compliance requirements are completed in a timely manner.
Skills and qualifications
* The candidate must hold a qualifying law degree with a minimum 2:1 classification.
* Experience of interacting with clients and/or customers and providing excellent customer service.
* Strong written and oral communication skills.
* Strong legal research skills.
* Strong problem-solving skills.
* Strong numeracy skills.
* Accuracy and attention to detail.
* IT literate including sound knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams.
* Ability to prioritise, be organised and efficient.
* Flexibility with the capability to adapt to change, new practices and cope under pressure but with the ability to recognise when to seek assistance and guidance.
* Able to integrate within a team and able to work on your own initiative.
* Be pro-active and self-motivated with a positive approach.
Desirable Skills and Experience
* Previous experience working in a Paralegal role in a commercial litigation practice.
* Experience in negotiating on behalf of clients.
Equal opportunities
Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.
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