Paralegal - Employment

Overview

The Penningtons Manches Cooper Employment Team provides fast, proactive and practical legal support. Approachable and commercially aware, our specialists have in-depth experience of the issues faced by businesses when managing their staff.

We are recognised as market leaders in advising on Employer, HR support and Senior Executive matters and claims in the Employment tribunal, High Court and appellate courts, with expertise across a range of issues including whistleblowing and discrimination claims.

The Employment Team is looking to recruit a paralegal, ideally with some previous experience, to be based in our Reading office. The role is focused on working with our existing team of Reading based Partners and Associates and fee earners across our other offices as needed.

Responsibilities

The work will have a focus on employer advice and senior executive matters.

The role will suit a confident and enthusiastic individual who has a genuine interest in these areas of the law.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following;

• Supporting senior members of the team with fee earning, undertake fee-earning work and providing a profitable contribution to the work of the team
• Liaising with clients
• Draft documents and advice letters
• Carry out legal research
• Keeping up to date with law changes
• To be an ambassador for the firm at all times and always promote it in a positive light.

Essential & Desirable Criteria

Essential Criteria

• Knowledge of employment legislation
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to manage a busy workload and excellent organisational skills
• Ability to work both alone and collaboratively with other team members
• Confidence in client facing communications
• Attention to accuracy and detail
• Collaborative team member with ability to quickly build relationships with a wide range of people
• Flexible, pragmatic and problem-solving approach
• Comfortable working under pressure with the ability to plan and prioritise work; appreciation of fee earner needs and constraints; commercial awareness.

Desirable Criteria

• Previous paralegal experience
• Previous experience of working in an Employment team

The firm operates a hybrid agile working policy allowing employees to work from home (or another UK location) up to 50% of their time. Individuals can also apply for other flexible working options either at the time of recruitment or during the course of their employment.

At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard. You can find out more about our firm’s commitment, initiatives and Pennclusion committees here.

We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background. We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long-term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity. If you would like to request an adjustment, please contact [email protected].