Paralegal - Wills, Trusts & Probate in Durham

A little bit about us: EMG Solicitors is an award winning Legal 500 law firm with offices across nationally, specialising in Court of Protection, Deputyships, Mental Health Law, Family Law and Mediation, Residential Conveyancing, Dispute Resolution, Education Law and Wills, Trusts & Probate services. Our mission is to provide the legal support our clients require in order to achieve anything from their basic needs to their wildest dreams and everything in between.

What are we looking for? We are currently looking to recruit a Paralegal for our Wills, Trusts and Probate department, ideally with previous Paralegal experience in a private client setting.

Where will you be based? This role will be based from our Durham office, but we would expect you to travel and work from other offices from time to time.

How many hours will you be working? This role is offered on a full-time basis of 35 hours per week, but at EMG Solicitors we work flexibly. It’s not a strict 9 to 5, and we’re open to discussing part-time arrangements. What matters most is that the work gets done, with hours shaped around you, your Team Leader, and the needs of your clients.

A brief overview of the role: As a Paralegal in our Wills, Trusts, and Probate team, you will play a crucial role in supporting and advancing the legal services we offer. This position is integral to our team's success, providing both individual contribution and collaborative support to ensure we meet our clients' diverse needs effectively.

What will we expect from you:

• Generating work: We encourage all our team members to win work, which can be achieved in a variety of ways, including becoming known as a go-to specialist in a field, writing articles, and speaking at events, both external and internal. Attending networking events and flying the EMG Solicitors flag. Each of these methods is equally valid and we will support you in making a plan which works for you and the firm, providing you with any additional training you may need to help you with this aspect of your role.
• You should be passionate about providing:
• Technically excellent advice and support to clients, delivered in a user-friendly way.
• Exemplary client service. We take the view we stand and fall as a team - you will need to work on both your own and part of a team.
• Getting paid for the work you do. Assisting in the preparation and management of cases is a key part of the role, focusing on Wills, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate. You will conduct matters on behalf of clients with due diligence, ensuring excellence when it comes to providing technical advice, a client friendly service and using user friendly language.
• You will approach financial interactions with empathy, understanding each client's unique circumstances, and providing flexible payment options when possible. This reflects our commitment to treating all clients with respect and care.
• Ensuring accurate and timely recording of all billable hours to meet both chargeable and non-chargeable targets is important. Striving for precision in all financial dealings to uphold our high standards of service.
• You will coordinate with your Team Leader and adjust according to client needs, ensuring that your professional responsibilities are met within a time frame that suits both you and the firm.
• This approach allows for a balance between personal time and professional demands. Work will be carried out in a collaborative manner with the billing department to streamline the fee collection process.
• Supporting team efforts in financial management to ensure smooth operations and client satisfaction. You will take initiative in addressing and resolving fee disputes or delays in payment, demonstrating assertiveness in securing the firm’s interests while maintaining professional relationships with clients.

To be able to perform this job you will need:

• A good standard of education.
• A full UK driving licence would be desirable as the role requires occasional travel between offices and to client sites.
• Prior experience within a Paralegal role, particularly within a Private Client department, is required.
• Demonstrated ability to handle the complexities of Wills, Trusts, and Probate cases would be beneficial.
• Exceptional communication skills are required. You must be adept at interacting effectively with both clients and team members.
• Strong time management and organisational skills will need to be part of your skill set. You should be capable of working independently and proactively to meet tight deadlines.
• You will need to possess a good attention to detail.

This role offers a significant opportunity for those looking to make an impactful contribution in a challenging and rewarding environment.

A little bit about the colleague we’re looking for: We’re looking for a colleague who aligns with our core values of:

• Cooperation - we proactively support our clients and each other.
• Courage - we are ambitious and think big.
• Excellence - we deliver excellence.
• Integrity - we are open and transparent.
• Kindness - we value people, communities, having fun and being happy.

We want someone who will work proactively to deliver exceptional client service through the knowledge and skills they bring to the role. We want someone who will go the extra mile for both their clients and their colleagues, so we can all achieve anything from our basic needs to our wildest dreams and everything in between.

What you can expect from us:

• Firm wide annual bonus scheme, in addition to a competitive salary.
• 4% Pension employer contributions offered through Standard Life.
• 25 days holiday entitlement per year (FTE) with an additional three days off at Christmas.
• 5 extra days paid leave on your 5-year anniversary – (and every 5 years thereafter).
• Life Assurance providing your loved ones with a 3x salary death in service benefit.
• Employee Assistance Program – a Freephone number you can call 24/7 for personal, legal and financial issues; to arrange counselling and a GP helpline.
• Free annual flu injection.
• EMG Rewards – Vivup well-being & Tastecard apps offering discounts across a large number of retailers & restaurants.
• £50 Gift card on your birthday as well as a late start or early finish.
• £50 Gift card at Christmas plus Christmas closure (subject to variation).
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Salary Sacrifice Electric Car scheme.
• Fruit and refreshments in each office.
• If you want to take the family or friends out, we have two passes for Beamish open air museum which you can book out and take up to 10 people.
• Opportunity to join EMG working groups, such as our Green Team, Better Health at Work Team, Empowerment, Diversity and Inclusion Team & our Community Team.
• Regular surveys to understand issues our team care about, including regular guest speakers on a wide range of topics.