At a Glance
- Tasks: Support technology contracts and manage legal risks in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Penguin, a creative powerhouse with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make an impact in tech law while working with innovative teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in legal roles and strong drafting skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 40000 £ per year.
Our Legal team is recruiting for a Technology Law Paralegal to join us on a fixed-term contract for 3–4 months. This role will be based from our Embassy Gardens office in London, and is offered with hybrid working.
As a Paralegal at Penguin, you will provide practical and timely support on technology contracts, helping us to manage legal and commercial risk while supporting the needs of the business. Working closely with colleagues across Legal, Technology and Procurement, you will support contracts relating to software, SaaS, cloud services, digital platforms, IT services and other technology suppliers. You will take ownership of appropriate routine and lower-risk matters and work under the guidance of a Technology Lawyer where appropriate.
Key responsibilities:
- Drafting, reviewing and progressing routine and lower-risk technology contracts using approved templates and guidance.
- Supporting contracts throughout their lifecycle, from instruction and drafting through to approval, signature and record-keeping.
- Liaising with Technology, Procurement and other business teams to obtain the information and approvals needed to progress contracts.
- Undertaking legal research and preparing clear summaries to support technology contracting matters.
- Identifying issues requiring specialist or senior legal input and escalating them to the Technology Lawyer as appropriate.
What You Will Bring
Essential criteria:
- Relevant experience in a law firm, in-house legal team or comparable environment, gained in a paralegal, legal assistant, contracts or similar role.
- Some commercial contracts experience and a good understanding of fundamental contract law principles and contractual risk.
- Good drafting, legal research and analytical skills, with strong attention to detail.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with non-lawyers.
- A practical, commercially aware and collaborative approach, together with sound judgement about when to seek guidance or escalate an issue.
- Experience of technology contracts, digital services, intellectual property, data protection or the publishing or media sector would be advantageous, but is not essential.
Please note: We are looking for a candidate who is available immediately/within a maximum of a 1 month notice period.
Desirable criteria:
- You will have a legal background, whether through legal study, professional training or relevant practical experience.
- A formal paralegal qualification is not essential.
Application instructions
Please apply with your CV and Cover Letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 23:59 on Sunday 15th November 2026. As part of your Cover Letter, please tell us about your experience of supporting with commercial contracts, including the types of agreements you’ve worked with and your own role in reviewing, drafting or progressing them. We’d also be interested to hear about any experience of, or interest in, technology-related legal work.
Salary
The salary for this opportunity will be £36,000-£40,000 depending how your experience and skills align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.
Hybrid working
While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect that you’ll work from our Embassy Gardens office a minimum of 2 days per week.
Paralegal (FTC) in London employer: Bertelsmann
At DK, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development within the finance sector. Join us in the UK, where you will be part of a supportive team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the publishing industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Paralegal (FTC) in London
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Bertelsmann.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Bertelsmann does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Bertelsmann.
We think you need these skills to ace Paralegal (FTC) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Bertelsmann and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bertelsmann
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Paralegal (FTC) role at Bertelsmann. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Bertelsmann.
