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- Tasks: Assist in high-stakes property litigation and manage court documents.
- Company: Join Herbert Smith Freehills, a top-tier law firm known for complex disputes.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with opportunities for growth and learning in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a renowned team tackling significant legal challenges and making an impact.
- Qualifications: Must have a Law degree or relevant undergraduate degree with strong academic performance.
- Other info: Gain hands-on experience in a supportive team while working on high-profile cases.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 48000 Ā£ per year.
The 'extremely hardworking and diligent' property litigation practice at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP undertakes high value and complex disputes, ranging from landlord and tenant issues, transactional matters, to telecoms, nuisance, and trespass claims. Lauded for providing 'exceptionally thorough advice', Frances Edwards handles contractual disputes and real estate-related insolvency cases, while the 'brilliant' Matthew Weal acts for clients on rights of light and dilapidation claims. The 'very capable' Graeme Robertson is skilled in disputes concerning property fraud, rent review, and business lease renewals.
Main areas covered | We act for investors, developers, landlords, tenants, financiers and anyone else involved in commercial real estate on a range of disputes.
- Advising British Land on legal solutions to potential development constraints to the redevelopment and refurbishment of sites and buildings within the Broadgate campus around Liverpool Street Station.
- Securing an urgent injunction in under 36 hours from instruction for Gatwick Airport to prevent threatened protestor action from environmental activist groups.
- Successfully defending a claim from Macdonald Hotels Limited against Bank of Scotland plc for alleged breach of good faith terms of lending facilities and alleged forced sale of properties (value: cĀ£120m), including securing an order for indemnity costs.
- Acting for a wide range of the strongest names in the real estate sector including Brookfield, Canary Wharf, URW/Westfield, Lendlease, Cain International, Almacantar, Hammerson, Blackstone, Citi, Madison Square Garden, The Board of Trustees of the Tate Modern and Aberdeen on a mixture of matters ranging from the very large through to portfolio work.
Our team is noted for its emphasis on Big Ticket disputes and in recent years that has included acting for Canary Wharf in its dispute with the administrators of Lehman Brothers, TAG Farnborough Airport on a large CPO matter, Native Land on a leading case on Business Rates, Bank of Scotland on alleged forced sale of properties and on many other client-critical matters.
Directory rankings include | Ranked band 2 in the Legal 500 for Property Litigation.
As well as big ticket work, our real estate disputes team act on a wide range of areas including development-related matters such as contested site assembly, rights of light and other easements and possession issues, insolvency, transactional disputes, professional negligence, restrictive covenants, business rates, disputes on Compulsory Purchase Orders and other compensation issues, Telecommunications Act issues and leasehold enfranchisement, all which helps manage disputes.
We can also assist with all types of landlord and tenant disputes, including business lease renewals, rent review issues, lease termination, dilapidations claims and service charge disputes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Issuing/serving Court proceedings and liaising with the Court throughout the life of a claim.
- Assisting with drafting Court documents, instructions to counsel and settlement agreements.
- Checking and serving Schedules of Dilapidations and rent arrears letters.
- Disclosure/document management.
- Drafting letters such as pre-action correspondence, demands and forms of notices.
- Reviewing company and Land Registry searches (with training provided).
- Checking through/sorting evidence provided by clients or another party.
- Assisting with billing and other life of the matter actions.
- Generally working with senior and junior members of the real estate disputes team so that they have an extra resource to enable them to turn asset management work around swiftly for clients.
Qualifications / Skills / Experience:
- Excellent academics including a Law degree or other undergraduate degree (ideally 2.1- or first-class honours).
- Familiarity with IT packages (Excel, Word, Internet, Outlook).
Seniority level: Entry level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Legal
Industries: Legal Services
Paralegal employer: Herbert Smith Freehills
Contact Detail:
Herbert Smith Freehills Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice š¤«
We think this is how you could land Paralegal
āØTip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the key areas of property litigation that Herbert Smith Freehills focuses on. Understanding their recent cases and the types of disputes they handle will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
āØTip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Herbert Smith Freehills. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial when preparing for your interview.
āØTip Number 3
Stay updated on recent developments in property law and litigation trends. Being knowledgeable about current events in the legal sector will demonstrate your commitment and passion for the field during discussions.
āØTip Number 4
Prepare specific examples from your academic or work experience that showcase your skills relevant to the role. Highlighting your ability to manage documents, assist in court proceedings, and work collaboratively will set you apart.
We think you need these skills to ace Paralegal
Some tips for your application š«”
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the Paralegal role at Herbert Smith Freehills. Focus on any legal internships, coursework, or projects that demonstrate your understanding of property litigation and dispute resolution.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Your cover letter should express your enthusiasm for the role and the firm. Mention specific areas of property litigation that interest you and how your background makes you a suitable candidate. Be sure to address it to the hiring manager if possible.
Highlight Academic Achievements: Since excellent academics are a requirement, ensure you include your law degree details prominently. If you achieved a 2.1 or first-class honours, make this clear, as it will strengthen your application.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in the legal field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Herbert Smith Freehills
āØKnow the Company
Before your interview, make sure to research Herbert Smith Freehills thoroughly. Understand their key areas of practice, recent cases, and their reputation in property litigation. This will help you tailor your answers and show genuine interest.
āØDemonstrate Your Legal Knowledge
As a Paralegal, you'll need a solid understanding of legal concepts. Be prepared to discuss relevant laws and regulations related to property disputes. Highlight any coursework or experiences that have equipped you with this knowledge.
āØShowcase Your Attention to Detail
In property litigation, attention to detail is crucial. During the interview, provide examples of how you've successfully managed complex documents or cases in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
āØPrepare Questions
At the end of the interview, you'll likely be asked if you have any questions. Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the types of cases you'll be working on, or opportunities for professional development. This shows your enthusiasm and engagement.
