About us
TWM Solicitors is one of the largest legal practices in Surrey, and a leading law firm in the Southeast, with a strong history and heritage. Our specialist teams undertake the full spectrum of legal work, providing quality, practical and cost-effective solutions to individuals, businesses and other organisations. Central to our approach is a commitment to delivering the highest level of client service, working collaboratively across teams and delivering a progressive and modern approach to problem solving. The firm has been independently recognised for excellence by The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.
With an emphasis on creating an inclusive and supportive workplace and excellent work life enrichment, TWM genuinely cares about its people, their learning and development and career progression.
Purpose of the department
Our focus is on providing outstanding client service, through expert, clear advice and assistance with Property Dispute Resolution matters, delivered in a professional and engaged way that leads to high levels of client satisfaction. We work together at all levels of our team to create a supportive and pro-active environment to achieve this.
Role overview
The prime role of the Paralegal is to provide direct support to their fee earner(s) to enable them to operate at optimum efficiency.
This will include but will not be limited to the main responsibilities given below.
The jobholder is expected to use a degree of self-management and initiative.
The role will involve support for fee earners working predominantly in property litigation, and possibly also commercial litigation.
How you will make an impact
Key tasks, duties and quality standards:
- Where appropriate, record any time and is beginning to understand the billing/financial requirements of each department/the firm
- Assist the Dispute Resolution (Property Disputes) department generally as and when required.
- Prepare correspondence and documents (which may include transcribing digital dictation).
- Conduct legal research and analysis.
- Administer filing which will include daily filing and the opening, closing, storage and retrieval of client files in accordance with the detailed procedures contained in the office manual.
- Prepare mail and enclosures for despatch by post/email or fax, and promptly distributes scans of post/fax received to relevant fee earners by email if out of office.
- Arrange for copying to be done, in person if the office assistant is not available to undertake the task.
- If appropriate, make appointments, arranges meetings and maintains an up to date diary for their fee earner.
- If appropriate, prepare the conference rooms for meetings as necessary, tidy and clear the room at the end of the meeting and provide refreshments when asked to do so.
- If required, attend meetings with clients in person, telephone video call, etc. to take attendance notes.
- Attends to clients and agents both in person and on the telephone and provides such support in a professional and friendly manner in keeping with the firm’s standards for client care: including updating clients and agents; chasing clients, other side and organisations for information.
- Demonstrates a willingness to be involved in matters outside of normal work, such as marketing.
- To ensure the confidentiality of all the Firm’s and clients’ documentation and information.
- To operate the Firm’s Case Management System.
- To maintain or improve on the current standards of document presentation.
- To consider improvements to the general administrative efficiency of the department.
- Undertakes any specific training when required to do so and overall to have a responsibility towards self-development.
- Undertakes other duties as from time to time is required.
Other
- Act in accordance with TWM Solicitors’ core values (TWM Cares) at all times.
This role will be based at our Guildford and/or Leatherhead office, with travel to other office locations as required.
To be successful in this role, we are seeking the following:
Within TWM, there are three recognised routes in terms of qualifying as a Paralegal as follows:
- Institute of Paralegals qualifying route:
You will be an Associate and have completed Level 3 of studies which requires a minimum of 1 year’s practical legal experience (which TWM required to be is in the specialist area of law in which you are practising. (In total this route will require 3 years of study to achieve Qualified Paralegal status) OR
- CLT Specialist Paralegal Course route:
You will be completing your one year course and, at the same time, gaining another year of practical legal experience in the specialist area of law in which you are practising OR
- Graduate route:
As a Paralegal, TWM requires you to be a law Graduate with some relevant experience within the specialist areas of law in which you are practising.
Essential personal qualities, skills and abilities
- Legal background with some experience in Dispute Resolution and ideally Property law.
- Good IT skills in relevant packages.
- Keeps up with Fee Earner’s work production.
- Very good accuracy levels.
- Demonstrates a positive attitude.
- Communicates professionally with clients, agents and others involved in the conveyancing process, both on the ‘phone and personally.
- Provides good customer care, responsiveness and attention to client service.
- Provides good levels of initiative and willingness to take on responsibility.
- Demonstrates a pro-active approach to work and clients.
- Demonstrates ability and willingness to:
– work to deadlines
– to cope under pressure
– prioritise work-loads effectively
– work as part of a team
- Demonstrates clear commitment to the firm and a genuine interest in legal work
- Demonstrates a clear understanding of, and alignment with, the values of the firm
- Demonstrates a high level of courtesy and respect in dealing with all colleagues, including Central Management, Finance, IT, HR and Marketing and clients/key business introducers, etc.
- Well-developed interpersonal, social and communication skills including an appreciation of the vulnerability of some of our clients, both generally and also specifically at distressing times.
Desirable knowledge, skills and competencies
- Prior knowledge of Practice Evolve or other case management systems
- Knowledge of law/legal practice
Our benefits and rewards
Financial
As well as offering you a competitive salary, at TWM you will also benefit from:
- Annual salary review
- Annual bonus scheme
- 5% employer pension contribution
- Death in Service benefit of 4 x salary
- Interest free season ticket loan
- Paid professional memberships
- Long service rewards
Health and Wellbeing
At TWM we enjoy coming to work, not just to be with our colleagues, but also because we feel supported even through difficult times. You will receive:
- Private medical cover
- Life Assurance of 4 x salary
- Company sick pay
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Health and Wellbeing initiatives
- Regular socials
Work Life Enrichment
Yes, we enjoy coming to work and it’s even better if we can fit our work around the demands of everyday life, so we are keen to provide the following:
- 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave, shared parental leave and adoption benefits
- Flexible/hybrid working
- Sabbaticals
- Study Leave
Learning and Development
TWM is only as good as its people and we want you to be the best you can be, so we will help you to develop and grow with the company by offering:
- Annual Performance Reviews
- Personal Career Progression Plans
- Trainee Solicitor Programme
- Extensive CPD programme
Contact us
If you are interested, please send your CV and covering letter to jobs@twmsolicitors.com.
TWM Solicitors (www.twmsolicitors.com) is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
No agencies please
