Paralegal

at  Shoosmiths

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 top ranking Commercial group “epitomises professionalism – they are just what in-house counsel require – very experienced; intelligent, commercially minded; and supreme negotiators” (The Legal 500). From contracts for e-business to major outsourcing projects, and whether relating to purchasing, production, marketing, selling, infrastructure or technology, our lawyers understand the need to be both commercial and apply the law in real life situations in partnering our clients to achieve their commercial objectives.

Main responsibilities

• Managing all motor dealer funding security transactions for dealer funding clients (under supervision).
• Provide day to day brand advertising support to key clients.
• Provide day to day advertising support to retail arms of key clients, focusing on consumer credit advertising and provide support to the team with consumer credit advertising advice to clients when required.
• Provide the team with weekly updates on Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) adjudications and recent advertising commentary.
• General support to dealer funding clients on general banking, corporate and commercial queries. To include drafting adhoc documents, carrying out adhoc legal research.
• Assisting in preparing client presentations, detailed client notes and legal research.
• Assisting legal advisors in the department with various general commercial law matters and commercial contract reviews.
• Assisting with the drafting of legal terms and conditions, particularly in relation to competitions and prize draws.
• Keeping up to date with legal updates and legislation changes and updating the team accordingly.
• Communicating effectively and confidently with clients and external solicitors (both in writing and by telephone) to provide advice and deal with initial queries.
• Managing matters for key clients, sometimes with short deadlines.
• Recording time and working towards billing targets set within the commercial team.
• Assisting with various other tasks as required

Skills and qualifications

• Degree required and LPC or ILEX qualified preferable.
• Preferably 6-12 months previous legal experience within a paralegal role within a Commercial practice area.
• Excellent client care skills.
• Self confidence and ability to demonstrate initiative.
• Ability to grasp things quickly and easily.
• Enthusiastic with a positive, can do attitude.
• Good working knowledge of various applications – word, excel, outlook etc.
• Taking care and attention into all correspondence and documentation.
• Flexible with the ability to adapt to change, new practices and remain calm under pressure and find solutions.
• Excellent presentation skills reflected in their work.
• A methodical and organised approach with keen attention paid to every 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 your own initiative.
• Ability to deliver a quality service to both internal and external 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.
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.
< Back to available position

• Managing all motor dealer funding security transactions for dealer funding clients (under supervision).
• Provide day to day brand advertising support to key clients.
• Provide day to day advertising support to retail arms of key clients, focusing on consumer credit advertising and provide support to the team with consumer credit advertising advice to clients when required.
• Provide the team with weekly updates on Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) adjudications and recent advertising commentary.
• General support to dealer funding clients on general banking, corporate and commercial queries. To include drafting adhoc documents, carrying out adhoc legal research.
• Assisting in preparing client presentations, detailed client notes and legal research.
• Assisting legal advisors in the department with various general commercial law matters and commercial contract reviews.
• Assisting with the drafting of legal terms and conditions, particularly in relation to competitions and prize draws.
• Keeping up to date with legal updates and legislation changes and updating the team accordingly.
• Communicating effectively and confidently with clients and external solicitors (both in writing and by telephone) to provide advice and deal with initial queries.
• Managing matters for key clients, sometimes with short deadlines.
• Recording time and working towards billing targets set within the commercial team.
• Assisting with various other tasks as require