Professional Support Paralegal - Maternity Cover - Flexible Location

The role 

This is a fantastic maternity cover opportunity for someone to broaden their experience and take on new challenges in a supportive non-fee earning environment. The role is ideally a full time position, however part time may also be considered.  The role holder could be based from any office as the role requires a large degree of virtual cross office support. The position is predominately responsible for supporting litigators in all NSL's across the firm. However it also plays an important role supporting trainees, the LST and some business service teams. The role will report directly in to Miranda Whiteley (Professional Support Lawyer).

This is a crucial role in managing and advising on various court portals and systems, as well as the expert/third party database for the whole firm. Excellent research skills are important to respond to queries using our internal know how and Practical Law. The suitable candidate will likely be someone who is currently based in one of the firms litigation teams or has previous similar experience supporting litigators.

The activities may include but not limited to:

• Solving general fee earner queries through the use of online resources, such as Practical Law or queries on internal systems.

• Assisting fee-earners/EAs with the courts electronic filing system (CE-file) and Damages Claims Portal (DCP).

• Maintaining and updating documentation to provide guidance on courts and their filing requirements including user guides.

• Point of contact for firm’s Payment By Account (PBA) court fees account, keeping guidance up to date, dealing with queries and reminders about using the internal finance form.

• Regularly checking the DCP for any new claims, allocating incoming claims to relevant fee-earners and EAs, setting up fee-earners and EAs with DCP accounts.

• Supporting with the induction of trainees, new starters and the LST

• Helping to arrange training and ensuring updated training materials are on FELIX/learning hub and circulated to the relevant people.

For more information on the role and it's activities, please refer to the job description or speak to Miranda Whiteley.

What skills, attributes and experience would I need?

• Degree educated, or equivalent.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Excellent written English.
• Strong administrative skills.
• A self-starter who takes the initiative and has the ability to work alone as well as with others.
• Excellent interpersonal and team skills.
• Good time management skills.
• Good research skills, including an ability to use online information sources.
• Experience working in a litigation team is desirable but not essential.
• Experience in a legal or legal support role, where you are responsible for supporting lawyers would be beneficial.

Disclosure and barring service check and security clearance

This post is also subject to a satisfactory response from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (to check for any previous criminal convictions) and, given the nature of the work-type, you may also be required to undergo national security vetting to SC level – the latter can be undertaken following commencement of employment.

And finally

Mills & Reeve is committed to building a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive environment in which all our people can thrive. We hire people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our firm stronger, and we have a collaborative culture that celebrates different perspectives and values respect for one another, working together, and openness and integrity. Our approach to flexible working means that we work in a way that achieves the right balance for our people, our clients and for our business.