Dentons is the world’s largest law firm with 10,000+ legal professionals globally and a corporate member of the IoP. Dentons ‘ParaShoot’ are a component part of the delivery model utilised by the real estate team. The team supports the wider RE team as well as manages their own case load. They offer roles for paralegals to be involved in all aspects of delivery of legal services including business development, client service as well as the firm's programme of pro bono and corporate social responsibility. The team is led by Karen Peart (a solicitor with over 25 years of RE experience in private practice, in house and learning and development). ParaShoot has a diverse talent pool with differing perspectives and inputs.

Professional Paralegal Development programme

The team is supported by a development programme which won the Best Law Firm – Paralegal Development award at the Paralegal Awards 2019 and 2020. The judges said when announcing the award in September 2020 "the overall winner stood out for their outstanding and innovative work in promoting and developing training programmes for paralegals, taking clear action to develop and assist with paralegal development and be a leader in the legal landscape". They pride themselves on offering team members opportunity for growth, engagement and curiosity. We are working alongside the Institute as they are well placed to guide us and share best practice in this area.

The duties & responsibilities of typical role of a professional paralegal at Dentons:

• Provision of legal services to a wide breadth of clients including the technical skills of drafting, negotiating, advising
• Providing support to qualified fee earners in relation to their matters including drafting reports on title, reviewing replies to preliminary enquiries, analysing search results
• Management of own case load under supervision including effecting exchange and completion
• Assisting with due diligence and other RE project work
• Financial hygiene including time recording and billing
• Legal research.

The typical role requirements for Dentons:

• A qualification in law eg law degree or GDL
• A demonstrable appetite for the RE sector
• Able to prioritise and multi-task particularly when working under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Methodical approach to work with a strong focus on accuracy

The personal qualities Dentons look for in recruiting a professional paralegal:

• Possesses the confidence to deal effectively with Partners and professionals across the firm
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Able to interact positively at all levels and a good team player
• Hardworking and enthusiastic approach to work; professional in outlook, attitude and appearance
• Self-motivated.

Slater and Gordon is one of the UK’s leading consumer law firms. They are a national firm but have lawyers based locally around the country.

At Slater and Gordon the role of paralegal is important. Paralegal roles allows the post holder to work closely with Solicitors and perfect legal skills within a professional and supportive environment. Duties include legal research, obtaining witness statements, interviewing clients and assisting Solicitors with their caseload.

Many paralegals at Slater and Gordon are law graduates with the LPC qualification. Previous legal experience within either a paid or unpaid capacity is a distinct advantage.

The duties & responsibilities of typical role of a professional paralegal at Slater and Gordon:

• Assisting on high-profile, complex, group litigation claims against some of the world’s largest corporations represented by Magic Circle firms
• Providing the highest level of client care in the management of client matters
• Overseeing financial aspects of matters including time recording, and debtor management
• Building relationships with internal and external parties
• Ensuring that files are managed effectively, meeting set deadlines, complying with precedents, creating letters or documents on the case management system

What Slater and Gordon look for in recruiting a professional paralegal:

• Experience working in a law firm
• Knowledge of litigation procedures and processes
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build relationships with clients and internal stakeholders
• Proactive with the ability to take the initiative
• The ability to multitask and successfully manage a variety of demands daily
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to problem solve.

GlaxoSmithKline plc is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer.  GSK recruit paralegals across the business and in particular recruit large numbers of Patent Paralegals. 

The typical paralegal role requirements at GSK:

• Assist lawyers with the tasks involved in-license / out-license of cases and be part of any patent prosecution team
• Act independently, anticipating upcoming activities, determining priorities and during layers absence
• Communicate with relevant patent offices and external counsel as required
• Initiate and compose routine correspondence, ensuring timely and accurate drafting
• Manage lawyers in trays and maintain electronic files relating to case dockets, incorporating internal and official correspondence from patent offices around the world
• Work with internal docket systems, actively managing dockets ensuring lawyers have full visibility of future, upcoming and urgent matters, where appropriate performing cross checks and closing out office actions.

Ranked as the world's 5th largest law firm by lawyer headcount and 6th largest in the UK by revenue, CMS works with clients in over 40 countries from 70+ offices worldwide.   CMS is well equipped to help clients face the future with confidence. 

CMS is a future facing Law firm and recruit large numbers of paralegals across the business but particularly those focussed on supporting their thriving Real Estate Finance team. 

Paralegal roles support the UK Real Estate Finance team at CMS who provide advice in the financing of all types or real estate assets, including hotels, student housing, care homes, the private rented sector, office and logistics and development. CMS clients include both borrowers (including property developers and investors) and lenders.

Paralegal Responsibilities will include:

• Managing and assisting with satisfaction of conditions precedent to drawdown (including reviewing or preparing board resolutions and director's certificates and liaising in relation to the fulfilment of the conditions)
• Managing non-disclosure agreements for a number of clients including preparing and updating drafts and liaising with all parties
• Organising and reviewing company searches and completing checklists;
• Attending to filings at Companies House
• Assisting with file opening procedures including preparing first draft of retainer letter and ensuring compliance with money laundering regulations
• Assistance with completion and post-completion registrations, forms, filing and client signing / reporting requirements.

What CMS look for in recruiting a professional paralegal:

• Enthusiastic 
• A keen eye for detail with the ability to use your initiative and you must be used to dealing with a large workload and supporting a busy team. 
• A strong academic background and a degree in law or equivalent qualification is preferred, but not essential.