Matter Support Paralegal

Role overview

The team

As a Matter Support paralegal based in our Bristol office. You will be part of a central team providing support to a range of legal teams alongside other paralegals and apprentices. You will have the opportunity to work with talented lawyers and a wide range of clients in a fast-paced environment. Over time, you will gain exposure to a range of work types, primarily in our insurance litigation practice.

The role

Paralegal support is integral to our business, and we are keen to provide an environment where you can develop both your legal and business skills. Once you have gained necessary experience and skills, you will have the opportunity to work within legal teams on an informal internal placement basis. Subject to business need, these placements are usually 10-12 months long, with direct associate supervision, giving you a broad paralegal experience and providing the opportunity to build relationships with people across the firm. There may also be client secondment opportunities for our team members.

The Matter Support team offers experience in a range of practice areas, with work coming from various legal teams including Professional and Financial Risks, Construction, General Liability and Medical, Property and Casualty, Cyber and Technology, and Employment. Most of the teams' work is supporting our insurance teams, usually with matters that involve defending professionals (such as architects, financial advisors, and solicitors) alongside their professional indemnity insurers in the event of a claim, meaning an interest in civil litigation is a must. We are also actively working to support more teams across the business and gain exposure to more non-contentious work.

At RPC, training and development is important. You will receive bespoke training with an induction built around regular tasks the team complete. You will also have access to a broad curriculum of firm wide training events, and a buddy to help you settle in. This role also offers the opportunity to train and mentor apprentices and new starters to the team once you've mastered elements of the role and are ready to share your knowledge.

RPC are supportive of qualification through alternative routes and have a funding policy in place for SQE2, Equivalent Means and CILEx. This role offers the opportunity for quality qualifying work experience and RPC has seen paralegals in the firm successfully qualify via these routes. The team and firm's growth ambitions also provide opportunity for supervisory positions within the team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Drafting, including engagement letters, disclosure letters, Letters of Acknowledgment, Settlement Agreements, and various court forms such as Acknowledgment of Service, Notice of Change of Solicitors and Part 36 offers
• The review and compilation of client documents in the preparation of bundles eg for exhibits for witness statements, mediation, Costs and Case Management Conferences, or for court
• Contract review, including drawing attention to clauses in proposed construction contracts that could compromise insurance cover
• Costs work including the preparation of cost budgets and schedules
• Legal research and the preparation of case summaries
• Supporting the firm with translation services using a machine translation tool and our panel providers
• Contributing to the development and improvement of the team's service, support, processes, and procedures

Knowledge, skills and experience

• A law degree, GDL or equivalent, ideally with paralegal experience or experience in a similar type of role
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing
• Good attention to detail with excellent organisational skills and the ability to adapt to shifting priorities and adapt plans accordingly
• Hardworking, enthusiastic, and motivated
• Able to deal with difficult or demanding situations
• Able to build internal relationships to understand expertise across the firm and to deliver excellent client service
• Has a commercial, committed, and proactive approach, including responding in a timely manner to meet clients' needs and deadlines
• Committed to being part of a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative firm culture
• Good knowledge and confident user of Microsoft Office

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging

We are problem solvers. Whether in front of clients or behind the scenes. To solve problems creatively for clients, we need diverse collaborative thinking; drawing on different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives. That means that everyone who either applies to, or works for, the firm is treated equitably. We believe in removing barriers to equal access not least because our people define us and define what we do. If you need support and adjustments to do your best work, whether that’s during the recruitment process or throughout your time at RPC, we’re here to help.

Flexible working that supports your commitments outside of work is an important part of our culture and, where possible, we will support this across all roles. Please get in touch with our recruitment team if you have any questions about our hybrid working approach or flexible working policy.