Paralegal - Employment

JMW Solicitors LLP; Manchester; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a motivated Paralegal to join its Employment department in Manchester. This role offers a fantastic opportunity for those starting their legal careers, providing support to experienced fee earners and partners on a variety of employment-related matters. You will engage with a diverse client base, gaining invaluable experience in both contentious and non-contentious work. The firm is recognized for its expertise in employment law, making it an ideal place for aspiring legal professionals. Join a dynamic team that values growth and offers numerous benefits, including generous annual leave and opportunities for charitable work.

Benefits

25 days' annual leave

Travel insurance

Death In Service benefit

Private Medical Insurance

Income Protection

Interest-free travel pass/parking loan

Early finish on first Friday of each month

Two days for charitable work

Participation in sports teams and clubs

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Exceptional attention to detail and high standards in communications.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent IT skills.

Responsibilities

• Drafting legal documentation and handling disclosure tasks.
• Preparing cases for hearing and assisting with legal research.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Analytical Skills

IT Skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Team-working Ethic

Ability to Work Under Pressure

Job description

We have a new vacancy for a Paralegal to join the firm’s Employment department, in our Manchester Spinningfields office.

The Department:

Our specialist Employment law teams leverage their wealth of knowledge to provide expert advice to both businesses and individuals on all areas of employment law as it constantly evolves. There is very little - if anything - relating to employment law that we haven't dealt with. This is why our clients find we are the ideal law firm to have in their corner.

Our Manchester and London teams have been recognised by several legal institutions, ranking in both Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500. We’re also members of the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA), which makes us a contributor to the voice of authority regarding employment law and gives us access to exclusive training courses and resources, as well as information and analysis of the ongoing developments in UK and European employment law.

The role:

The Paralegal role provides a great development opportunity for those at the start of their legal career who aspire to progress in the area of employment law. You will support our team of experienced fee earners and partners in dealing with a range of employment-related matters, involving both contentious and non-contentious work. You’ll be involved in a diverse client base, including a large professional body.

You will be responsible for a wide range of legal services and administrative tasks, including but not limited to:

• Drafting and preparing legal documentation such as pleadings, Particulars of Claim, and witness statements, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Handling disclosure tasks, including identifying and preparing document lists and reviewing disclosures from clients and opposition.
• Preparing cases for hearing and assisting with legal research, including obtaining informal expert opinions to assess case viability.
• Maintaining accurate records of work done on legal matters in the firm’s case management system.
• Recording time accurately and efficiently.
• Assisting with client enquiries via our legal helpline and website, acting as the first point of contact.
• Drafting notes and presentations for webinars, seminars, and events.

About you:

We seek an effective and efficient Paralegal with the following skills and experience:

• Exceptional attention to detail, maintaining high standards in all communications and documents.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Excellent IT skills, especially in Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Strong team-working ethic.
• Ability to work under pressure and proactively.

Experience in employment law and Employment Tribunal cases, preferably acting for Respondents, is advantageous. However, a genuine interest in pursuing a career in employment law is essential. Please describe in your cover letter why you wish to progress your career in employment law.

Working for JMW:

JMW offers a rewarding career along with numerous benefits, including:

• A minimum of 25 days' annual leave, increasing with service, plus office closure between Christmas and New Year.
• Travel insurance for you and eligible family members.
• Death In Service benefit of 3x basic salary.
• Private Medical Insurance (optional) for you and family members.
• Income Protection covering up to 75% of salary.
• Interest-free travel pass/parking loan.
• One early finish on the first Friday of each month.
• Two days annually for charitable work.
• Participation in sports teams, hobby clubs, and social events.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders.