Private Client Paralegal

Our client is a leading law firm with a number of offices across Devon and Somerset. On behalf of our client, we are seeking a Paralegal for their Private Client Team in Honiton. Owing to the continuing volume of high-quality work, our client is currently looking for two bright, organised and motivated Paralegals to join their Private Client Department.

The successful candidates will be required to provide an important contribution to the work of the Private Client Department, supporting the ongoing growth and development of the department's activities and contributing to the growth of client work and fee income. You will need to work effectively with clients and other members of both the Private Client Department and the Honiton office. You will be expected to deal professionally and efficiently with a wide range of work under supervision while complying with procedures and working practices. The role will include the need for the successful candidates to produce the majority of your own documents and correspondence through the use of our case management system and to undertake your own administrative duties.

Key Responsibilities

• To administer and progress (under solicitor supervision and according to experience) private client files (and other surrounding activities as appropriate), which may include:
• The preparation of applications to register Powers of Attorney
• Preparing letters, drafting Oaths and other documents on Probate files
• Preparing Wills, Powers of Attorneys and related correspondence
• Preparing other letters and documents using case management software
• Home/property visits (driving licence preferred but not essential)
• Time recording in order to achieve an individual fee earning target
• Liaising with clients by telephone and in person
• File opening, maintenance, and closing
• Ability to undertake own filing and administrative duties

Skills/Knowledge/Experience

• Educated to degree level or extensive work-based experience
• Excellent IT skills to include the use of case management software
• Experience of working in a Private Client Department undertaking this nature of work would be preferable
• A focus on developing and maintaining professional and effective client relationships at all levels, with excellent communication and relationship management skills
• A flexible approach and the capability to work well and flourish within a team environment
• Ability to work effectively with other colleagues internally, both within the wider team and across all practice areas and offices
• Ability to meet financial and non-financial targets together with other broader objectives set for successful performance of this role
• Demonstrate ability to follow procedures in accordance with professional body requirements; for example, Lexcel compliance, and the Firm's internal procedures together with meeting all compliance and quality targets
• A flexible and enthusiastic approach which demonstrates commercial awareness and business aptitude in making decisions on a day-to-day basis
• The ability to undertake research, produce required reports and deal with complex documents
• Clear, concise and effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to produce work which is accurate and presented in a well-ordered manner
• Excellent organisational skills
• Forward-thinking with a willingness to embrace changing working practices and pro-actively get involved in the continuous improvement of services, products and processes
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritise effectively

Benefits include:

• Holidays: 23 days each year plus all the bank and public holidays, rising to 25 days after 2 years’ service. Offices close on Christmas Eve and this day is also offered as an additional day’s leave.
• Pension scheme
• Hours are 9.00 am to 5.00 pm with one hour for lunch Monday to Friday inclusive.

Please get in touch if you would like more information about this role or send your CV via the form below in complete confidence and we will get back to you. Legal Southwest will never, without exception, send out your CV without your prior knowledge or consent so please be assured that we treat every application with the utmost confidentiality.