Paralegal / Lead Paralegal - Recoveries

DWF; Leeds; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

DWF, a leading global legal and business services provider, is seeking a Lead Paralegal for its Technical Recoveries Team in Leeds. You will assist fee earners on files, support qualified professionals, and help scope matters to ensure timely, budget-conscious outcomes.

The Recoveries Department is based in Leeds with hybrid working available (3 days per week in the office). This role offers progression and exposure to a wide range of debt recovery matters.

Qualifications

• Experience assisting fee earners on files and providing support to qualified professionals.

Responsibilities

• Provide ad hoc advice and guidance to clients and colleagues on non‑referred matters.

Skills

Experience assisting fee earners

Dispute resolution / debt recovery

Strategic thinking

ICT proficiency

Legal research

Integrity & collaboration

Tools

Liberate case management system

Microsoft Office

Job description

Why join us?

We are seeking a highly skilled Lead Paralegal to join our Technical Recoveries Team. In this role, you will be assisting fee earners on files and supporting our qualified individuals, from scoping matters referred into the Technical Team to achieving time‑critical deliverables, all while adhering to budget constraints and legal parameters.

DWF is a full‑service international firm and as such, this role is unique in terms of the variety of work and excellent clients that you will be exposed to.

This role offers excellent scope for progression and is an ideal opportunity for a highly motivated, enthusiastic candidate looking to build on their previous experience and continue their career in Debt Recovery.

The Recoveries Department is based in Leeds with hybrid working available (3 days per week in the office).

Responsibilities

• Provide ad hoc advice and guidance to clients and colleagues on non‑referred matters.
• Brief counsel on complex cases and prepare bundles for hearings or trials.
• Review matters at referral stage, defining scope and breaking work into proportionate tasks.
• Handle a range of litigation tasks, including drafting claims, responding to defences, negotiating settlements, and managing enforcement or insolvency applications.
• Communicate scope and progress clearly to clients throughout the matter.
• Liaise with third parties such as litigants in person, legal representatives, and courts.
• Take ownership of cases, ensuring timely progression to conclusion using the Liberate case management system.
• Work with autonomy while reporting regularly to the Specialist Manager based on matter complexity and value.

What will help you succeed in this role?

Essential

• Experience assisting fee earners on files and providing support to qualified professionals.
• Background in dispute resolution or defendant debt recovery.
• Strong strategic thinking with decisive, action‑oriented decision‑making skills.
• Proficiency in ICT and solid knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills, legal research capabilities, and technical competence.
• Ability to demonstrate integrity, encourage open debate, and foster a culture of sharing best practices and reporting issues when arisen.

Desirable

• Previous experience working on insolvency cases.

What we offer?

We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support needed. If you're excited about the opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the requirements, please apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for the role or others across the wider team.

Our recruitment process upholds the highest standards of fairness and engagement. It includes comprehensive interviews and, at times, a written assessment, an assessment day, or presentation. We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support.

About Us

DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. We empower people to be themselves within an inclusive and supportive environment, enabling everyone to achieve their full potential in line with their abilities and career aspirations.