Paralegal (Employment) in Preston

Forbes Solicitors LLP are seeking a Paralegal to join our Employment team at our Gordon House Office. This role is full time, working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to start/progress in their legal career as a Paralegal and to become part of a collaborative and professional team. While the role demands the fast pace, customer focus, and high standards of a law firm, it also ensures a sustainable work-life balance, reflecting the regional area it serves.

This role will be supporting Solicitors within the Commercial Employment team and will have exposure to a varied caseload of Employment matters. As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for achieving successful outcomes such as:

• Provide effective and efficient support to Advisors through chargeable (legal based) work that contributes to the delivery and completion of services for clients (e.g. obtaining and reviewing evidence and statements, taking witness statements, preparing for court, collation of legal bundles).
• Ensure timely and efficient day‑to‑day progress of matters, prioritising work, monitoring deadlines and actions needed and keeping clients informed.
• Drafting and preparing legal documents that require further knowledge, consideration and input based on analysis and understanding of information gathered.
• Providing legal advice, under the supervision of a qualified advisor, that resolves queries and advances clients’ instructions and cases.
• Assessing and understanding client queries and file notes to identify actions and advice required and manage and guide the progression of a client file.
• Attend external meetings and events including but not limited to hearings, court appearances, client meetings and networking events.
• Maintain, monitor and update the appropriate systems and documents with client and case information, data and file notes.
• Carry out and deliver accurate and up‑to‑date legal research.
• Write original high‑quality articles and reports for internal and external publication.
• Manage regular and up‑to‑date communications with clients and stakeholders, answering queries, managing expectations (including costs), providing updates and effectively chasing responses required and escalating appropriately.

The Person We will be progressing applicants to the next stage based on their demonstrated knowledge, experience, and skills in:

• Essential: Degree, or other legal level 3/6 qualifications such as CILEX.
• Demonstrates excellent attention to detail, including proof‑reading and editing skills to ensure accuracy and quality of legal documents.
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritise tasks, manage time effectively, and coordinate multiple activities simultaneously to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrates the ability to work as part of a team.
• Demonstrates strong commercial awareness.
• Demonstrates excellent IT skills and the ability to use multiple platforms such as Word, Excel, Outlook and other case management systems/databases.
• Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with clients, colleagues, and external parties.
• Aligns with the Firm’s values.
• Demonstrates an interest in long term development/progression in the department.

Desirable:

• Previous paralegal experience.
• Previous experience within Employment Law.
• Previous experience using legal case management systems (e.g., PfW) to support the delivery of services.

At Forbes Solicitors, we believe in creating a supportive and collaborative environment where our team members can thrive and develop themselves and others. We offer a comprehensive range of legal services and have offices across the North, with deep roots in Lancashire. Our team are known for its genuine, practical advice and passion for achieving the best results. We are real people who listen to each other and work together to deliver exceptional service.

We are proud to have been awarded UK Employer of the Year: Silver (250+) at the Investors in People Awards 2024 and the Firm is ranked as a Legal 500 Top Tier Firm and a Chambers and Partners Leading Firm. We are a values led Firm and are looking for people who embody our values: authenticity, striving for exceptional results, and unity in teamwork to join our award‑winning Firm.

The Benefits

We are dedicated to supporting our people and offer a range of benefits, including:

• 33 days annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Annual leave purchase scheme (Subject to T&Cs).
• Enhanced family friendly policies and pay for Maternity, Paternity and Adoption.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Celebration and Volunteer leave.
• Ongoing professional development and progression opportunities.
• Profit share scheme.
• Additional long service awards.
• Subsidised tuck shops.
• Staff discount on Firm services.
• Health care benefits (Health Cash Back Plan and Mental Health Counselling Services).
• BUPA (Solicitor positions only, for self, not dependents).
• Retail and gym membership discounts.
• Recruitment and legal department referrals (Subject to T&Cs).
• Annual Events.

Forbes is an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident employer, accredited by Investors in People and ISO 9001 Quality Management certified. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment, service provision, and supplier engagement, and strive to maintain a workforce that reflects the local community.