Paralegal / Lead Paralegal - Recoveries

DWF Law LLP; Leeds; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

DWF Law LLP in Leeds seeks a skilled Lead Paralegal to support fee earners in the Technical Recoveries Team, from scoping matters to delivering time-sensitive outputs while respecting budgets and legal parameters.

The role combines autonomy with regular reporting to the Specialist Manager, offering strong progression in debt recovery and exposure to complex litigation tasks, including drafting, defences, settlements, and enforcement.

Qualifications

• Experience assisting fee earners on files and providing support to qualified professionals.
• Background in dispute resolution or defendant debt recovery.
• Strong strategic thinking and decisive, action-oriented decision-making.
• Proficiency in ICT and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent problem-solving and legal research abilities.

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, define 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.

Skills

Paralegal experience

Debt recovery

Litigation support

Microsoft Office

Legal research

Tools

Liberate case management system

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.