Legal Assistant/ Paralegal London, England
Job description
Farrer & Co is synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and service.
We advise individuals, families, businesses, financial services, educational and not-for-profit organisations on every aspect of the law, wherever the need arises. From our offices in London we work with trusted professionals around the world to deliver a seamless international service.
Our clients present us with complex and varied challenges. Whether that's a complicated family trust issue, a multinational corporate transaction, or an emerging threat to their reputation, they need clear thinkers who can advise on the best solutions, fast thinkers when speed is of the essence and agile thinkers who can produce a fresh approach to get the job done. That's why they choose us.
Our clients value our in-depth knowledge, technical excellence and diversity of disciplines. But what really binds our long-standing relationships with them is our approach: pragmatic, plain speaking and always steadfast in our values, which we hold dear. Values which mean we gain our clients' trust, always strive to do the right thing, and aim for the best results for them.
Superb client service sits at the heart of everything we do. We are modern lawyers with timeless values.
Our Immigration team is part of the wider Private Client department who provide specialist legal advice on the whole spectrum of private and business issues. Our Immigration team is ranked Band 2 by Chambers High Net Worth and Band 4 by The Legal 500 directory and has a particularly strong reputation in representing High and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals, Senior Executives, as well as corporate entities.
The Immigration team assists individuals and families with obtaining UK visas and permanent residence across the full spectrum of categories under the Immigration Rules, as well as British citizenship, applying a creative approach to best suit the client’s needs. This typically involves individuals who find themselves in unusual circumstances and require specialist advice.
Additionally, the team advises many companies, educational institutions and charities in respect of their immigration matters, assisting them in obtaining Sponsor Licences from the Home Office and UK visas for their staff and students, as well as providing strategic compliance advice for maintenance of the Licences and attending Home Office inspections.
The Immigration team often works in conjunction with the wider Private Client department and other teams in the firm who are advising on other aspects of the client’s relocation to the UK (such as tax, family and corporate matters).
- Provide support to fee-earners on document management (Netdocs), draft application forms, and prepare bundles of documents for submission to the Home Office.
- Draft and proof-read legal documents and prepare written reports as requested.
- Carry out legal research, using a variety of online and reference sources.
- Liaise with clients in a clear and professional manner in order to progress their UK immigration matters.
- Methodically analyse and summarise issues; find solutions and communicate them effectively.
- Assist members of the team when preparing for client meetings.
- Attend client meetings or calls alongside fee-earners and produce attendance notes as requested.
- Ensure compliance with the firm’s file management and time-recording systems.
- Meticulous and well organised – a strong attention to detail and excellent proof-reading skills are essential.
- Strong IT skills including use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and PDF editing programmes for creation of evidence bundles.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to draft emails and documents clearly and tailor communication style to a variety of audiences/ clients.
- Experience in managing competing deadlines and ability to effectively prioritise (and re-prioritise) tasks to meet ever changing deadlines.
- Adaptable and open to change, with a strong sense of responsibility.
- Possesses a highly proactive and innovative approach to problem solving, an enthusiastic manner, and a ‘can-do’ approach to work.
- Ability to accurately follow complex procedures and instructions.
- Interest in immigration law and active interest in developing knowledge in this area.
- Previous experience in a Paralegal or Legal Assistant position with an Immigration focus would be preferred but not essential.
- Strong academic background.
The hours of work for this opportunity are Monday to Friday, 9:30am – 5:30pm, but we would expect the candidate to be committed, flexible and prepared to work beyond the normal office hours if necessary and in response to client demand. The candidate will be expected to follow the firm’s agile working policy, which embraces home working but will require employees to spend a minimum number of days each week in the office. Farrer & Co is open to flexible working by arrangement although this role is intended as a full-time position.
Open to talking flexibly.
Farrer & Co is an equal opportunity employer who welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We look to employ the best candidates regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other protected characteristic.
We are keen to ensure candidates have the best interview experience possible, if you require any adjustments during the interview or application process please let the recruitment team know.
Farrer & Co conducts a pre-employment screening which consists of a Criminal History Background and Credit Check for successful candidates.
If you would like to apply for the role, please upload your CV and accompanying cover letter.
