Senior Paralegal - Residential Conveyancing (New Homes) in Plymouth

Are you keen to find an exciting new role where you will be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking, agile team? If so, come and join us on the journey.

Why Michelmores? Michelmores is the destination law firm for the ambitious, the imaginative and the distinctive. We help enterprises and individuals navigate change to find a positive future. We are a flexible, friendly and inclusive organisation with as clear a focus on fresh thinking as we have on growth and success. We value and nurture our peoples potential and aspiration and give them a creative, open and collaborative environment in which to develop a career and succeed. We believe that whatever your legal experience, you'll find Michelmores different. From day one, we encourage our Paralegals to feel truly part of the team they support and the wider Firm. Our people are approachable and collaborative. Central to our culture is our friendly and flexible environment, which genuinely allows our people to grow and flourish, both professionally and personally. We really care about what we stand for and want to move forward, together.

What sort of work? Right now, we have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Paralegal to join our Residential Property team in our Exeter office. Our Senior Paralegal supports the delivery of high-quality residential conveyancing services by progressing a broad range of sale and purchase transactions through to completion. This will include:

• Client Engagement & Relationship Management
  • Taking ownership of day-to-day management of client expectations under appropriate supervision.
  • Acting as the main point of contact for clients and external referrers for routine updates, ensuring clear communication and excellent service throughout the transaction and escalating legal/technical issues, risk concerns and complaints in accordance with team procedures.
  • Communicating proactively with clients to understand their requirements and keeping them informed of progress, maintain strong relationships through regular engagement by the preferred method of the client.
  • Managing onboarding processes, including file opening checklists and gathering initial documentation together with providing quotations and assisting with initial client instructions.
• Technical Legal Work
  • Coordinating residential sale and purchase transactions from initial instruction through to completion by progressing matters in line with supervising lawyer's instructions.
  • Preparing draft contract packs and supporting documents and assisting with drafting legal documents associated with the sale of a property.
  • Conducting title checks, reviewing search results and surveys and drafting legal lease and mortgage reports.
  • Ensuring mortgage reports comply with lender requirements using the UK Finance Handbook and also dealing with redemptions.
  • Dealing with complex matters such as retentions, private charges, redundant charges, Forces Help to Buy, Building Safety Act 2022.
  • Preparing OCEs and OS2s, drafting completion statements for approval and managing Land Registry requisitions.
  • Assisting with complex Land Registry application and case progression, preparing drafts and supporting evidence for review and approval.
  • Applying knowledge of non-standard SDLT circumstances, Power of Attorney, Executor and Trust arrangements.
• Compliance & Risk Management
  • Ensuring adherence to the SRA Code of Conduct and firm policies together with conducting regular file reviews for accuracy, risk and fee adjustments.
  • Managing source of funds checks and collating supporting evidence.
  • Preparing file closure and ensuring release of completion monies are approved and signed off.
  • Ensuring confidentiality and security of all firm and client documentation and information.
  • Liaising with Credit Control as appropriate and understanding the obligations relating to client accounts rules and ensuring that preparation and service of bills comply with the SRA Accounts Rules.
  • Accurately time record on all matters whilst carry out regular WIP reviews.
• Leadership & Team Support
  • Acting as a main point of escalation for complex matters and providing guidance to junior colleagues.
  • Assisting with training, mentoring and supporting colleagues across teams.
  • Participating in regular team meetings and contributing to process improvements.

All work is carried out under appropriate supervision of experienced, qualified lawyers in the team, including Solicitors, Licensed Conveyancers and CILEX lawyers with relevant practice rights.

Why this team? The Residential Property Team are the leading property team in the South West. The team are renowned for offering the very best client service, with many clients returning to the team for subsequent property purchases, they set themselves apart by offering a personal approach to help clients at every stage of the conveyancing process. The team are always on hand to give our clients practical advice and aim to ensure that the process is as stress free as possible; we put our clients needs at the heart of what we do.

How do we work? We take a flexible, agile approach to working patterns. As a team we agree together on the best working arrangements that will enable each of us to provide exceptional client service, to collaborate and connect with colleagues, and to achieve the right home/work balance. As a Firm we are committed to supporting our people across all levels to achieve the balance they need. We are open to talking about flexible working and empower any candidate to put forward a flexible working pattern to meet their needs.

Who are we looking for? We are looking for somebody who will understand our values and thrive in our culture. The role would be based from our Exeter office and the ideal candidate will have:

• 2 years + experience of working in a residential conveyancing role, dealing with transactions from start to finish under appropriate supervision.
• Competent with Microsoft (Word, Excel, Outlook) and data management systems.
• The ability to run own files with minimal supervision.
• Experience of working in a process driven environment and working to deadlines, providing excellent client service to both external and internal clients.
• Excellent organisational skills, demonstrable examples of multi-tasking and an ability to juggle competing priorities and work well under pressure.

Other skills required include:

• Excellent interpersonal skills; effective communication at all levels (written and verbal).
• A commercial, pro-active 'can do' and professional approach to work.
• Must be flexible, successfully adapting to changing demands and conditions.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Must interact well with others in a sensitive and effective way - a team player.
• Understand the importance of confidentiality and use of discretion.
• Must be self-motivated, committed to working towards goals with strong enthusiasm and career commitment.
• Self-confidence, initiative, and innovative thinking.

This is a great opportunity to join a Firm which believes potential, inspiration, and teamwork should be valued and nurtured. We work hard to create and sustain an open and collaborative environment. We embrace change and constantly evolve to meet our peoples diverse needs, in the same way that we help our clients to navigate and stay ahead of developments, to move forward together.

Next Steps To apply please click below or if you would like to talk to someone about the role, please call Sarah McLean in our Recruitment Team.

Michelmores LLP is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We do not discriminate on grounds of race, gender, marital status, age, religion, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability or sexual orientation in the selection, recruitment and treatment of our staff.

As part of our recruitment policy our candidates are subject to pre-employment screening checks. The Employee Screening Process includes DBS screening, adverse media checks, financial screening, and will also involve verification of employment history, your right to work in the UK and any relevant qualifications and memberships. If you would like further information around this, at this stage, please get in touch with our recruitment team.

*No agencies please; any agency assistance will be via invitation only. Please note any speculative candidates submitted via agencies without invitation will not be considered as represented by that agent.