Research jobs in United Kingdom

Wedlake Bell are recruiting an experienced Paralegal to join our award-winning Insolvency & Restructuring team (Band 1 Chambers, Legal 500 ranked in Corporate Insolvency, Civil Fraud, and Debt Recovery). This is a full-time, permanent position with in-office expectations of 5 days per week.

Our Insolvency & Restructuring (I&R) team advises a wide range of clients including lenders, insolvency practitioners, creditors, companies, directors, and other stakeholders on complex matters where a company or individual is insolvent, going through financial difficulties, or where they are victims of a business-critical event. The team is highly successful, ranked Tier 1 in Chambers & Partners, and in Legal 500 for Corporate Insolvency, Civil Fraud, and Debt Recovery.

Paralegals in the Insolvency & Restructuring team run their own varied caseload of routine disputes matters and provide comprehensive support to our lawyers on complex, high-stakes I&R proceedings. Insolvency matters naturally involve recovery and enforcement and the successful candidate will be an active fee-earner, overseeing a diverse caseload of disputes matters from inception to resolution. Responsibilities include conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, preparing trial documents and attending court proceedings, liaising with clients and stakeholders, reporting and billing, and generally collaborating with the team to achieve successful client outcomes.

We are seeking an experienced Paralegal to join us, ideally possessing at least 4 years’ experience in managing civil disputes proceedings in a law firm or similar environment. Prior I&R experience is advantageous but not essential - if you have demonstrable experience in a litigation environment and an excellent understanding of the Civil Procedure Rules you will be considered.

Find out more about our Insolvency & Restructuring practice here.

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 total 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!), you will quickly feel like part of the WB team!

Key Responsibilities:

• Providing general paralegal support on a variety of insolvency and restructuring matters, including:
  • Taking on a varied caseload of litigation matters, from opening new matters, running through the civil procedure process to achieve a satisfactory outcome for our clients;
  • Helping draft and prepare documentation required for the disputes lifecycle: pre-action correspondence, court bundles and documents, settlement agreements, etc;
  • Taking client instructions and assisting with client enquiries and routine correspondence under supervision but with a high level of autonomy;
  • Dealing with routine queries from clients and fee-earners in other teams;
  • Maintaining up-to-date schedules and case management system for internal and client purposes;
  • Conducting legal research and providing summaries to support case objectives; and
  • Engaging in continuous learning to keep up-to-date with changes in civil procedure and insolvency law.

• Other administrative tasks including diarising and monitoring key dates, facilitating client on-boarding through drafting engagement letters and corresponding with clients regarding required AML documentation, assisting with preparing, reviewing and sending out bills, etc; and
• Other ad-hoc responsibilities as required.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong experience (ideally 4+ years) as a disputes Paralegal, with significant experience running a mixed caseload of matters throughout the lifecycle of the litigation process;
• An excellent understanding of the Civil Procedure Rules;
• Ideally, have attained a law degree (LLB or PGDL) or other professional legal qualification (such as CILEX or part ILEX, etc);
• Familiarity with legal research and case management tools;
• Excellent organisational abilities, capable of managing multiple priorities;
• Proactive communication skills and comfortability in client-facing situations; and
• High standards of professionalism and integrity.

Why Join Us?

• A competitive starting salary;
• 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; and
• 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 their 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.