Paralegal - Construction (12 Month FTC) in City of London

Wedlake Bell are recruiting a Paralegal to join our highly-regarded Construction team. This is a full-time, 12-month fixed‑term contract with the expectation of five days in‑office per week. The Construction Team at Wedlake Bell has gone from strength to strength in recent years, consistently maintaining high rankings amongst City law firms (Legal 500 Tier 3, Band 4 Chambers and Partners). The team advises at every stage of the construction life cycle, from planning and design through to successful completion, and everything in between. We work with a variety of leading clients across multiple industries.

Paralegals in the Construction team provide general support to Partners and fee‑earners, working on a variety of non‑contentious and contentious construction matters. This role provides key support to our contentious construction Partner and will be heavily involved in supporting construction disputes throughout the litigation life cycle, though you will also work on non‑contentious construction matters where extra support is needed. This is an excellent opportunity for a law graduate to join a thriving and varied Construction practice, gaining outstanding experience daily and enjoying excellent mentorship and development opportunities from our close‑knit team.

About Us: Located in the heart of the City of London, Wedlake Bell is a Top 100 law firm offering full services across Private Client, Real Estate, Business Services and Disputes. The firm has 81 Partners and a headcount of around 400. We have grown year‑on‑year, attributed to the continual success of our legal teams and the dedication of our staff members. Our culture is widely recognised as one of the best in City law, built on trust, collaboration and mutual respect. Joining us, you will be part of a firm which supports work/life balance, personal development and building strong connections. With regular cross‑firm socials and events (including our renowned yearly ski trip and walking trips!), you will quickly feel part of the WB team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Providing general paralegal support on a variety of construction matters;
• Supporting construction disputes throughout the litigation life cycle from pre‑action to successful outcome;
• Helping draft and prepare documentation, including pre‑action letters, court filings, settlement agreements, etc.;
• Supporting non‑contentious construction matters, including due diligence, reporting, drafting collateral warranties, organising warranties, collating document packs and preparing contractual documentation, conducting post‑completion administration;
• Undertaking legal research;
• Dealing with routine client and/or third‑party queries and reporting to relevant fee‑earner with updates where necessary;
• Assisting with the team’s construction helpline, including listening and responding to caller legal queries;
• Assisting with the team’s knowledge management and business development initiatives;
• Organising and maintaining accurate files both electronically and hard copy;
• Other administrative tasks, including diarising and monitoring key dates, facilitating client onboarding, drafting engagement letters, managing AML documentation, preparing, reviewing and sending out bills, etc.;
• Other ad‑hoc responsibilities as required.

Key Skills and Qualifications:

• A relevant legal qualification holding a degree (or post‑graduate qualification) in law or a related field;
• Ideally some prior work experience, or a demonstrable understanding of construction / real estate law and the disputes process (showcasing dedicated study in these subjects, or work experiences/internships in relevant organisations) though not essential;
• Excellent communication skills, able to interact and communicate effectively across all levels of seniority and both internally and externally;
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills;
• Strong IT capabilities, including a good understanding of modern office software (in particular the Office 365 suite).

Why Join Us?

• A competitive starting salary;
• A comprehensive pension plan;
• 25 days paid holiday per annum, plus additional leave for significant life events;
• Option to purchase up to five additional days of holiday each year;
• Life assurance and competitive income protection scheme;
• Access to private medical and dental insurance from day one;
• Enhanced parental leave policies;
• Employee assistance programme with face‑to‑face counselling services;
• Variety of staff wellbeing initiatives including Pilates classes and subsidised gym memberships;
• A range of bonus schemes recognising referrals and client introductions.

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, where every individual is respected and valued. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, irrespective of background or personal circumstances. If you are passionate about joining a busy team and are eager for a challenging yet fulfilling career, we encourage you to apply.