Paralegal (Employment Litigation)

We are seeking to recruit a confident and ambitious Paralegal to join our highly regarded Employment department in Bristol on a full-time and permanent basis. Our Employment team works with UK businesses, international companies and those looking to invest in the UK with all the legal requirements associated with setting up, building and maintaining a strong workforce. Our experience spans the full range of employment law and HR issues that can arise from the beginning of the employment relationship to the end, with extensive experience advising on investigations, sensitive employee disputes, enforcement of restrictive covenants and employment tribunal representation. We also support HR teams from various businesses, meaning you can expect a varied workload.

In this role you will provide essential support to the fee earners in the team, to ensure all of our clients are provided with an outstanding service, by understanding their needs and delivering this in a cost-effective manner. You will be providing complete management of files, taking instructions from senior members of the team and ensuring that procedures are effectively handled, whilst taking on some responsibility for department administration. This position will provide a good foundation for you to go on and become a qualified lawyer, which many of our Paralegals have done previously.

As a law graduate with previous experience working in a similar position as a Paralegal in either an employment or litigation role, you will be enthusiastic about continuing your career in law. Known for being self-motivated and a good communicator, you will relish working in a team, with a readiness to work proactively with colleagues to provide them with all the support they need in order to deliver great results for our clients. You will show an ability to understand and relate to clients' needs and be able to cope with pressures associated with handling multiple caseloads. We will need you to be a quick learner, and have excellent IT skills, being meticulous and thorough in order to deliver high-quality work.

Our relationships with our clients are paramount. You will be able to demonstrate your ability to build strong and lasting relationships with clients and show a genuine commitment to their business needs. Being self-motivated and ambitious, you will be keen to learn more about the sector.

In return, as well as supporting your professional development through regular training, we will help you to grow your professional networks both internally and externally, providing an excellent foundation to continue your career in law.

At Ashfords, we believe in more than just doing great work - we believe in building a great place to work. When you join us, you become part of a team where everything we do is underpinned by our four core values: Be Open, Think Team, Make a Difference and Always Grow. These values shape who we are and how we work - they guide our decisions, influence our culture, and drive the way we support our people, clients and communities.

With a clear focus on innovation, community involvement, and supporting a healthy work-life balance, we are committed to building an environment where our people can have a rewarding and meaningful career. Whilst we recognise that every career journey is unique, we will be ambitious for you, giving you the tools, trust, and opportunities to develop your career, your way. Our goal? To help you realise your full potential as part of a forward-thinking team.

We know that our people are at the heart of everything we do – and that’s why we’re committed to supporting your wellbeing, growth and work-life balance. Beyond our benefits package, you’ll be encouraged, no matter what your role or career level, to get involved in our Responsible Business programme, where you’ll support initiatives such as charity fundraising, environmental causes and our employee-led diversity and inclusion groups.

Our recruitment process typically involves two stages, which are designed not only to explore your skills and experience but also to give you a real insight into what it’s like to work at Ashfords. Throughout the process, our dedicated Talent Attraction team will be here to support you every step of the way. We believe that building a firm with a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences drives innovation and strengthens our teams, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

To support your growth, we offer ongoing training and development opportunities to help you reach your full potential – so even if you don’t feel you match all the requirements of the job role, we’d still love to hear from you. At Ashfords, we’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to succeed.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or would like to discuss anything regarding your application, please contact us at talentattraction@ashfords.co.uk. For an informal and confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Toby Tompkins, Talent Attraction Manager via email: t.tompkins@ashfords.co.uk. Or apply now, and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.