Job Description

Description

We have an excellent opportunity for a Paralegal to join our Private Client Contentious Probate team in Poundbury, to provide support to the team and potentially progress further. The successful candidate will support fee earners in the team and the contentious probate workload, assisting the smooth daily operation of the team. They will, ideally, have some litigation experience, although training will be provided so this is not essential, however, an interest in litigation and contentious probate is essential.

Key Responsibilities

Role Responsibilities including but not limited to:

Attending client meetings and preparing accurate notes. Reviewing documents and evidence, identifying relevant information and cataloguing it. Drafting legal correspondence and documents. Preparing instructions for Counsel. Compiling and organising Court bundles. Filing court documents online. Communicating with clients, opposing parties, Counsel, and expert witnesses. Open files, prepare and send initial client engagement documentation. Review client ID documents to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering obligations and internal policies. Ensure all email correspondence and attachments are entered on to Peppermint and Matter Summary Sheets are updated accordingly. Develop skills to deal with more complex transactions. Contribute to the maintenance of a strict diary note of deadlines and timescales relevant to Legal Advisor(s) matters. Ensure all photocopying and scanning is accurate; take responsibility for checking photocopying/scanning done by Office Assistant. Attend to clients on the phone and in person, accurately recording any messages and passing on to the appropriate person without delay. Fielding new enquiries, liaising with Legal Advisors and arranging client meetings. Provide proactive administrative support and matter management, including but not limited to keeping up to date with progress on matters; identifying follow up actions needed; proactively contributing to team billing and file closures where appropriate; WIP, disbursement and debts, file closure and residual balances.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Working closely with the fee earners in our Contentious Trusts & Probate Team and the wider Private Client department, this role would best suit someone who is proactive and enthusiastic, with great interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with people at all levels. Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work flexibly to deadlines will be important. Strong administrative skills are essential, along with commitment to delivering a high-quality and professional service in a cost-effective manner. More technical requirements include excellent IT skills including the use of Microsoft office and Outlook. Ideally you will have experience in a law firm environment providing legal support to fee earners, but we would welcome applications from those who feel they meet the requirements of the role.

Benefits

Flexible Working 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays Extra Day of Holiday for your Birthday Private Healthcare Pension Scheme(s) Life Assurance Eye Tests Flu Jabs Corporate Gym Membership Discounts Legal Support Opportunities to get involved with charity fundraising, sports teams and office socials

About Porter Dodson

Porter Dodson is an award-winning Top 200 UK Law Firm, providing commercial and private legal services to individuals and businesses across Somerset, Devon and Dorset.



We're proud of a regional presence that gives clients the local connections and friendly in-person service they love. Being embedded in our local communities and market sectors gives our clients a superb service grounded in the real world.



What makes Porter Dodson a great place to work is our people and our culture. Our team are the lifeblood of the firm, and we are fully committed to ensuring our team are motivated, well cared for, and fulfilling their potential at work. Our people are our priority, which is why we have such excellent staff retention rates and how we have sustained a gold accreditation from Investors in People since 2016.