Paralegal (German Speaker)
Location: Newcastle, England, United Kingdom
About Us
DRS is a legal consultancy specialising in commercial contracts relating to derivatives, financing and professional agreements. Trusted by banks, asset managers, hedge funds and trading firms across the globe, we provide rapid and efficient negotiation and remediation of document portfolios. Established in 2009, our team of approximately 100 members operates both on‑site and off‑site from modern offices in London and Newcastle.
The Opportunity
You will join DRS as a Legal Consultant, supporting the negotiation of contracts on behalf of our clients within one of our dedicated teams. Working alongside leading industry practitioners, you will manage a wide range of financial institutions from global banks to hedge funds, taking responsibility from day one while progressing within your team. This client‑facing role is based in our Newcastle office and offers a permanent contract.
Salary: £25,500
Responsibilities
* Manage your own workload
* Liaise with clients and counterparties to draft, negotiate, amend and execute commercial contracts such as ISDA agreements, CSAs, GMSLAs, GMRAs, NDAs and Terms of Business
* Maintain and update negotiation databases; track external communications and ensure appropriate escalations within the team
* Provide information and reporting for internal DRS stakeholders and the client
* Participate in conference calls and face‑to‑face meetings within the DRS team and with clients and counterparties
* Keep abreast of legal and regulatory developments in derivatives law and practice through research, industry events, regular company sessions and the learning management system
Requirements
* At least a 2:1 Undergraduate degree in Law or an equivalent degree. If your degree is in a different discipline, a legal conversion qualification (Graduate Diploma in Law or Common Professional Examination) is desirable
* Interest in developing a career in Law
* Close attention to detail and strong organisational and time‑management skills
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Ability to build relationships with stakeholders and clients
* Able to speak German fluently
* Creative problem‑solving ability
Our Culture
We pride ourselves on an informal working environment with accessible senior management, open‑plan offices and a strong team approach. We hold The Sunday Times “Best Small Company to Work for” awards for 2019 and 2020. A flexible working culture allows staff to work from the office two core days a week, with the option for more.
We are a diverse firm, speaking over 20 languages, with staff from more than 23 countries. We are committed to supporting learning and development with a comprehensive career pathway, training material and coaching.
Benefits
* Health Insurance
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Perks and discount
* Socialisation team budget
* Wellbeing initiatives
* Charitable work & volunteering leave
* Free Mental Health Support
* Cycle to work scheme
* 5% Employer Pension Contribution
* Life insurance
* Long‑term sickness insurance
* 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Equal Opportunities
We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. Return to work and flexible working conversations are encouraged and supported.
Our selection process does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. If you require adjustments for interview, please let us know and we’ll accommodate.
Use of Data
If you apply to this position, we will hold personal data and your CV and/or application in the DRS recruitment database for a maximum of 24 months. After this period your information will be deleted unless you request it be removed sooner. For further details, see our privacy notice.
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