Paralegal in London

Ropes & Gray is a global law firm that operates across 17 time zones and has more than 1,400 lawyers based in the United States, Europe and Asia who collaborate seamlessly to provide clients with high-quality representation in innovative industries that shape the global economy. Our clients include private equity firms, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, financial institutions, mutual funds, hospital systems, and more. Client by client, we’ve built a reputation for first-class work, a pragmatic approach, and impeccable standards of service and ethics. We count many of the world’s most respected companies and institutions as longtime clients, and serve organizations at all stages of development. Clients trust us with their most important matters because they know we understand their businesses and deliver the results they need.

Our deeply rooted culture of teamwork means that our lawyers work closely with colleagues around the world to provide support to clients. This collaborative approach encourages our lawyers to work alongside partners and clients on sophisticated matters. We work as a team to support a range of leading legal practices, including private equity, M&A, capital markets, finance, asset management, real estate, tax, antitrust, life sciences, health care, intellectual property, litigation & enforcement, data, privacy & cybersecurity, and business restructuring.

Ropes & Gray London is one of the largest offices in the Ropes & Gray network, and the hub of the firm’s EMEA network and set up in London in 2010. While we are now an established presence in the UK, we’ve retained all the buzz of our start-up years. It makes us a little bit different: it means we have the stature and resources of a major international law firm combined with the pace, inclusivity and career progression of a specialist firm. Our clients like to work with us. We are, of course, always professional, but we are personal, and personable with it. As a group, we’re international, diverse and our team is always professional, but uniquely personable. With around 26 partners, 110+ Lawyers and a trainee intake of 15, everybody in the office knows everyone else. That means that every hire we make is an important investment for the firm, because each team member has a distinct role to play in delivering excellent service to our clients.

The Paralegal will play a critical role in supporting the London Anti-Corruption Practice Group within the Litigation & Enforcement Practice Group. The successful candidate will assist with a broad range of tasks, including legal research, case management, Know Your Customer (KYC) due diligence, sanctions media searches, document preparation, and managing complex e-discovery processes. This role offers an excellent opportunity to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, supporting high-profile clients and cases with international dimensions.

Document Management & Case Organization:

• Create and implement both paper and electronic document collection, review, and production systems. Develop and maintain tracking documents with minimal supervision.
• Assist attorneys in reviewing documents for issue and privilege coding. Create and maintain tracking logs to capture issues and privileges.
• Establish and maintain case file and organizational systems for electronic and paper case files and workrooms.

E-Discovery & Computer Forensics:

• Understand and apply intermediate e-discovery and computer forensics concepts such as litigation holds, preservation of data, and chain of custody in daily work.
• Coordinate automated litigation support projects through technology, including database management software (web or in-house). Manage and oversee the use of litigation databases by the case team.

Research & Analysis:

• Conduct in-depth legal research on anti-corruption laws, regulations, and enforcement trends across various jurisdictions. Summarize findings and prepare detailed reports for attorneys and clients.
• Review, analyze, and compile documents, data, and other case materials for evidence relevant to investigations and case issues. Determine and extract necessary information as required by attorneys.
• Perform research (factual, legal, internet, and other) to identify issues and relevant matters; prepare comprehensive compilations of findings.

KYC & Compliance Monitoring:

• Conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, including verifying client and third-party identities, conducting background checks, and ensuring compliance with relevant anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.
• Perform sanctions and adverse media searches to assess the risk profile of clients and third parties. Prepare detailed reports on findings to support the firm's compliance with global sanctions regimes.
• Support the team in monitoring client compliance with anti-corruption policies, including reviewing due diligence reports and assisting in developing compliance training materials.

Client & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Prepare for, attend, and take notes at client meetings, interviews, and during conference calls.
• Assist with preparation and assembling of exhibits and appendices.
• Communicate, correspond, and interact with clients and outside entities, such as government entities, witnesses, vendors, corporations, and other law firms, to gather information or data.
• Work closely with international offices and practice groups within the firm, ensuring seamless support for cross-border matters and global client needs.

General Administrative Support:

• Provide general administrative support to the Anti-Corruption Practice Group, including managing deadline calendars, taking detailed notes during client and witness interviews, and maintaining accurate records of key meetings and case updates.
• Comply with department and firm administrative procedures and policies.
• Assist with department projects as needed and perform other work-related duties as assigned by the Partners.
• Responsible for billing a minimum number of hours of client-related projects and other credited work.

· Educated to degree level or above with a minimum of three years of similar work experience in a law firm.

· Experience with database management software, and medium case collection, review and production experience.

· Demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of the litigation process and e-discovery.

· Able to maintain strict confidentiality of the firm's internal and personnel affairs and client information. Understands ethics of position including ethical rules in regards to confidentiality, billing and client representation and advocacy.

· Collaborates effectively and professionally with clients and all levels of personnel.

· Owns professional development by seeking out feedback and learning new skills.

· Possesses very strong oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate to people at all levels.

· Must be a proactive, self-starter who understands the details within a much larger context.

· Must be flexible in order to respond quickly and positively to shifting demands and opportunities from a variety of practice areas.

· Able to work under tight deadlines, handle multiple, detailed tasks simultaneously, prioritize appropriately and delegate to resources available.

· Must be able to anticipate problems and issues and exercise independent judgment to make sound, justifiable decisions and take action in solving problems while knowing when and to whom to escalate issues.

· High level of attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to follow up and follow through.

· Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as a team player, in a fast-paced environment.

· Able to work effectively in a multi-office environment and culturally and educationally diverse environment.

Must take ownership of deliverables and be accountable.