Paralegal - Commercial Property (Manchester)

Harrison Drury is a market leading firm of solicitors with offices across the North West, Cumbria, and Staffordshire servicing both business and private clients. We have been placed for a fifth time in the Top 100 Best Companies to work for in the UK. We are an employer of choice because we challenge the conventional law firm approach and focus our energy on getting great results for our clients while attracting and developing brilliant people.

The commercial property team are looking to recruit an experienced paralegal to join their team in the Manchester office. The overall purpose of this role is to provide accurate, timely, efficient and professional support to the team and undertake transactional fee‑earning activities, ensuring compliance and excellent customer service while maximising the opportunity to conduct fee‑earning work at the appropriate level.

Responsibilities

• Effective administration of the files (hard copy and online) including matter opening, closing, archiving, and data updates.
• Ensure file compliance with regulatory standards and the Office Manual.
• Use client file information to inform fee earner of required action, maintain critical dates, and take necessary action.
• Manage the bill process and interact with Finance.
• Produce and issue correspondence upon instruction from the fee earner and, where done independently, under supervision.
• Attend meetings when required, take minutes, and update attendance notes.
• Draft documents for clients upon instruction from fee earners and under supervision.
• Manage meetings for fee earners, including liaising with other parties, booking meeting rooms, parking, and producing relevant materials.
• Handle telephone calls for the team and liaise regarding client queries with the fee earner.
• Deal with new enquiries by phone or email.
• Engage with individuals on work experience.
• Complete accurate legal research tasks for fee earners.
• Prepare legal updates and blog articles for the website.
• Contribute to operational review and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide administrative support, including obtaining searches, downloading land registry documents, information maintenance, file management, financial management, preparing posting slips and bills.

Skills And Experience

• Previous role as a paralegal in commercial or residential property.
• Intermediate to advanced use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Intermediate to advanced use of Adobe Acrobat.
• Intermediate to advanced use of Lexis Nexis, Westlaw, and/or Practical Law.
• Strong academic record; Maths and English GCSE at grade C or above.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong planning and organisational skills; ability to prioritise and manage competing demands.
• Legal research skills.
• Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work within teams and individually using own initiative.
• Client‑focused.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work.
• Commercially aware.
• Self‑motivated.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with SOS case management system.

Benefits

• Medicash health benefits, cash plan, and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• 25 day holiday plus bank holidays; entitlement increases with length of service.
• Paid time off for voluntary work (2 days per year).
• Free conveyancing for purchase/sale of primary residence.
• Free individual or mirror wills.
• Employee referral scheme.
• Biannual promotion and salary uplift application process.
• Regular social events, including annual Christmas party and staff recognition awards.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of an award‑winning, people‑focused firm.
• Work alongside recognised experts in the field.
• Enjoy a supportive culture that invests in staff development and wellbeing.
• Flexible working arrangements to suit your lifestyle.
• Opportunity to make a real impact in a growing team.

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Legal

Industries: Legal Services