Find More Than 10K+
United Kingdom Jobs

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Paralegal to join HR in London to provide support to our Partners Matters Unit (PMU) and Employee Relations (ER) teams on a 6 month contract.

The ER team is currently made up of employment lawyers and ER specialists. They work globally across the firm to:

• Ensure that the relationship between the firm and its employees globally is underpinned by clear and fair procedures, policies and employment law;
• Ensure that relationships between individuals are driven by a set of values and behaviours that respect difference while working towards a common goal;
• Support and advise local HR throughout the employee life-cycle in relation to all policy reacted and contentious employee matters;
• Provide bespoke training and legal updates; and
• Keep all employee contracts, policies and procedures up-to-date.

The PMU provides comprehensive advice and support directly to the partners, with the ultimate aim of streamlining and enhancing the experience partners have in relation to their own HR matters.

Role and responsibilities
PMU team
To assist the PMU team members in London and Belfast with the following:

• Regulatory work in relation to new promotions and laterals, including liaison with the SRA and Companies House
• Execute processes around partner joiners, leavers and other life cycle events, including background checks, file maintenance, document management and archiving
• Work with the PMU Co-ordinator to administer all aspects of voting processes from start to finish
• Work with the PMU Projects Manager to administer and manage the partner performance management system, ClientCore.
• Assist in preparing basic paperwork for the lawyers in the team to review
• Undertake project work as appropriate

ER team

Litigation

• Assisting with bundles at all stages of proceedings – instructions to Counsel, witness statements, preliminary hearings, disclosure, preparation of hearing bundle
• Assisting with typing up of sensitive documents which are inappropriate for The Bridge, e.g. transcripts of recorded meetings, notes of partner meetings,
• Document management – establishing and maintaining a consistent filing system on all litigation matters across the ER iManage folders
• Liaising with IT and eDiscovery to optimise use of the N-drive and Relativity

Formal processes – disciplinary and grievance

• Assisting in the investigation stage – ensuring that all relevant documents are located and saved down correctly.
• Preparing bundles for chair of hearings and, where appropriate in disciplinary proceedings for the individual employee.
• Note taking at investigation meetings and formal hearings.
• Assisting lawyers with typing up of sensitive documents

Running the DSAR process under the supervision of one of the team, to include:

• Initial engagement with IT teams setting up document searches
• Liaising with eDiscovery and IT to facilitate upload of all relevant documents to Relativity
• Leading on first and second pass reviews on Relativity – under lawyer’s supervision

General ER Admin - As time permits – projects to include:

• Review and restructure of the ER iManage folders
• Housekeeping – closing old ER matters in a timely manner
• Archiving and tidying of hard copy folders and documents in the ER room
• Assisting with the production of slide decks for presentation and training
• Assisting with the production of Excel spread sheets to ensure optimal utilization

Key requirements

• Ability to multi-task and prioritise to meet deadlines as and when required
• Organised and methodical approach to work, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Positive and professional attitude towards clients and all colleagues, with excellent communication, responsiveness and interpersonal skills
• Pro-active, solutions-oriented approach and ability to use initiative intelligently, including knowing when to seek advice
• Ability to implement the above skills in a virtual working environment, working remotely, and be self-motivated in addressing and completing tasks

Who we are looking for

• 2:1 law degree or equivalent
• Sound level of computer literacy (including Word and Excel)
• Prior work experience either at A&O or another firm, or in an equivalent role in the energy/infrastructure sector, may be an advantage
• A team player understanding of need to adapt around others’ workloads and excellent attention to detail
• LPC is desirable but not essential

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of Allen & Overy’s recruitment team who will work with you to provide any reasonable adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

At Allen & Overy, we recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

Allen & Overy recognises the value of flexible working and embraces hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do however remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together. If you would like additional flexibility we will of course consider this in line with business needs.

Ref: INDSJ

Allen & Overy is a leading global law firm operating in over thirty countries. We work on some of the most challenging and important deals and have built a reputation for delivering exceptional legal solutions that help our clients grow, innovate and thrive. The legal industry is changing, and we're committed to leading that change, putting our people first, embracing new ways of thinking and integrating technology into our everyday work. Our business teams work hand-in-hand with our lawyers, Consultants and other specialist teams, and are ambitious, driven and leaders in their field.

With us, you will constantly be learning and growing. We invest in you by offering exceptional professional and personal development – providing training, mentoring and practical support. We offer rewarding careers that are built around your strengths and designed to ensure you can achieve your personal and professional goals, recognising that those may look different for everyone.

We have a powerful commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We’re determined to play our part in advancing a workplace where progress is made by harnessing our differences – whatever defines you, we ask you to bring your whole self to work.

What truly defines a career at Allen & Overy? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. We provide challenge, support and a place for you to belong. And together we excel, working on meaningful projects of global significance.