Paralegal

Job Purpose:

• To assist the Corporate Group in providing a high quality service to our clients.
• You will be part of a small but fast growing deal team in Guildford and part of the wider Corporate and Commercial Department of the firm. You will work on client projects, liaising with clients and their other professional advisors and general file administration and depending on experience, we anticipate an active fee earning role, as part of the deal team as well as a level of file administration, document production and client management. We would expect your role to develop as experience allows. The personal fit is as important as experience, as with the right attitude and commitment, we can provide quality training.
• You will work directly to the Group Head in Guildford and support assistant and associate solicitors in that office and in the wider Corporate team when needed. Your role will include diary management and administrative support, junior fee earning (proofing/checking documents, diligence work, company searches, research, document production and completion processes.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• To work as part of a team to assist with corporate transactions as required, undertaking fee-earning work and time recording accordingly.
• Responsibility, under supervision, for assisting others within the department with their matters. To assist partners and/or solicitors with tasks such as drafting documentation and administration.
• Preparation of correspondence and documents from precedents, digital-dictation and manuscript in compliance with DMH Stallard house style guide, including proof reading and checking facts. Be able to confidentially send straightforward documents to clients and others, taking responsibility for checking where needed.
• Undertake research as requested, both on client/targets and basic legal research.
• Prepare pitch documents, presentations and PowerPoint.
• Completion of standard forms without fee earner assistance and production of standard letters without dictation.
• Case management and dealing with incoming electronic emails, print and filing of paper copies (where required).
• Review of incoming mail when fee earner is absent from office.
• Deal with general telephone enquiries and resolve specific enquiries, receive and relay messages to and from clients and other professionals on behalf of fee earner.
• In the absence of the fee earner attend clients to arrange appointments, take messages, receive and deliver documents.
• Diary planning, pro-active diary management and preparation for meetings for Department Head.
• Carry out basic accounting transactions and deal with matters arising on accounts printouts.
• Open and close files in Case Manager.
• Attend department meetings and such training courses as determined by the Group Head and/or Support Supervisor.
• Should be flexible in working hours, as transactions can sometimes run late into the evening.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required:

• At least two years’ legal work experience as a Paralegal.
• A commitment to excellent client care and enthusiasm for corporate work.
• Accurate and efficient time recording skills.
• Previous diary management experience helpful.
• Fast and accurate typing skills and the ability to work unsupervised and to tight deadlines (the mix of secretarial against technical and commercial skills will need to be balanced, and there is some flexibility here).
• Excellent IT skills with experience in Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Email and Internet.
• Ability to communicate well orally and in writing, including dealing directly with clients when required.
• Able to identify problems, complaints and risk management.
• Experience in a case manager system desirable, but full training will be given.
• Effective administrative, communication and team working skills.