Job description
Trowers & Hamlins is a City-led, international and national law firm with over 160 partners and 950 staff. With offices across the UK, Middle East and Asia, we provide a full-service integrated offering.
Our clients operate in diverse industry sectors such as construction, transport and infrastructure, banking and financial services, distribution and logistics, education and health, hotels and leisure, defence, engineering and surveying, charities, retail and energy and natural resources. We also act for many high net worth individuals.
We are different and we believe it is our people that make us unique. We expect and respect that you and your talents are too. The truth is we don't prescribe who you are or how you ought to be. It's what you can do that interests us most.
While the work on offer is rewarding and often complex, the qualities we look for are simple. The ability to get on with people from all walks of life, for example. To talk and to listen. To develop the sorts of relationships that mean you win the friendship and loyalty of clients and colleagues alike. In short, to connect. These are the characteristics our people all have in common. They are vital, as is the drive and imagination to use your unique talents to the full. We will help you in this. In fact, we will support you in every way we can.
The Firm
Trowers & Hamlins is a City-led, international and national law firm with over 160 partners and 950 staff. With offices across the UK, Middle East and Far East. Our global footprint is further enhanced by our strategic partnership with Interlaw which works to facilitate our management of multi-jurisdictional matters. We have leading practices in Corporate, Litigation, Tax, Banking and Finance, Real Estate and Private Wealth.
We’ve always been proud of our natural commitment to diversity and inclusion and value the variety of our partnership. We are different and we believe it is our people that make us unique. We expect and respect that you and your talents are too. Our strategic direction is shaped by a desire to grow our business in a way that is responsible and sustainable and has the principles of ESG at its core, guiding the way we operate firmwide.
The opportunity
We provide real estate dispute resolution legal services for a broad range of clients across a wide range of specialist areas.
The team in Birmingham currently comprises of four Partners, two Senior Associates, eleven Associates, two Senior Paralegals, and five Paralegals, and the support of a Trainee Solicitor. The work which two of the Partners undertakes with six Associates, two Senior Paralegals and five Paralegals is in the niche area of residential landlord and tenant legal issues and disputes. The team advises and represents a very broad client base which includes registered providers, letting agents and private individuals.
As a result, an increase in instructions received particularly, in relation to defending claims where tenants are alleging their landlord has breached their repair obligations and are seeking compensation (known as disrepair claims), the team is seeking to appoint a Paralegal to be based in the Birmingham office.
What you'll be doing
- Providing support to the wider team;
- Managing defended housing disrepair claims;
- Providing advice in writing and by telephone;
- Drafting witness statements;
- Progressing and managing cases that proceed to trial by complying with Court directions such as disclosure and instructing Counsel;
- Negotiating settlements with opposing parties;
- Advising clients on cases and the merits of a case;
- Meeting clients;
- Actively participating in business development initiatives and maintaining good client relationships.
What you'll need
The firm has a competency framework for senior paralegals and in particular for this role we require:
- Strong technical and organisational skills;
- Excellent communication skills;
- Client focus;
- Drive and enthusiasm.
- Team based approach;
- Commercial awareness;
- Ability to work to deadlines;
- Good interpersonal skills, presenting and client facing skills.
- Good academic record is essential;
- LLB/LPC graduate desirable but not essential
- Previous paralegal experience;
- Experience of litigation matters; ideally property.
- Residential landlord and tenant litigation experience is desirable but not essential (especially experience of disrepair claims);
- An interest in marketing;
- An ability to work autonomously with minimum supervision – a self-starter.
As part of our firm recruitment policy our candidates are subject to employment screening background checks. These checks include personal details, education and employment history, professional qualifications and credit and criminal checks as appropriate.
Trowers & Hamlins is an equal opportunities employer and values diversity and inclusion. All applications will be considered on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role and will be treated equally irrespective of Ethnicity, Gender (including Trans and non-binary) Race, Disability, Religion and sexual orientation.