Paralegal

ABOUT THE ROLE

Winckworth Sherwood is one of the UK’s leading property law firms. We act for ultra-high net worth investors/family offices, major property companies, the Country's top developers and funders and major corporate occupiers across a full range of real estate transactions, in all the major property sectors. Real Estate is the core of the Firm and drives business across a number of practice areas.

Our Real Estate Development Team focus on acting for private residential developers, (a key component of the real estate client base) and as a result, you will have exposure to working for some of the largest property developers in the UK. The team consists of 7 partners, with additional support provided by a further 10 fee-earners, a regular trainee on rotation and three legal secretaries.

This full time (35 hrs a week), London based, real estate development Paralegal role, has become available due to the current Paralegal coming to the end of 2 years of qualifying work experience. They will be qualifying as a Solicitor in the New Year, so we are looking to replace their Paralegal role.

You will primarily focus on acting for private developers, because they represent such a key component of the real estate client base. You will have exposure to working for some of the largest property developers in the UK - and in doing so we expect that you will not only develop your legal skills, but also your client-facing and “soft” skills – a critical part of being a successful qualified solicitor.

Tasks will include:

• Handling some transactions such as substation easements and leases, and section 104 agreements.
• Preparing sales packs.
• Carrying out due diligence and preparing reports on title.
• Assisting lead partners.
• Assisting the real estate team with various administrative functions, including in relation to CDD.
• Dealing with Land Registry applications and issues.
• Preparing contracts, closing documents, and lease agreements.
• Reviewing legal documents and amendments.

Note to agencies: We are not accepting agency CVs for this role.

ABOUT YOU

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the leading private development real estate teams in the country. The role would suit someone who is looking to gain qualifying work experience, either due to passing the SQE 1/2, or looking to study the SQE, alongside their work. Due to the nature of the role, we are ideally looking for someone who can commit to the role for at least 18/24months.

You may have some prior legal experience as a Legal Assistant/Administrator, or Paralegal, perhaps with experience of time recording. We are also open to seeing applications from candidates looking to secure their first full time, fee-earning Paralegal role.

Regardless of your professional experience, we are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate their:

• Cognitive curiosity
• Genuine passion for real estate law
• Ability to manage a varied and demanding workload
• Proactive mindset.

WHY US

Winckworth Sherwood is an exciting, diverse, and growing business. We are a full-service law firm with a diverse client base, that prides itself on providing advice across a broad range of sectors and markets. Delivering a first-class service is key to everything we do.

Our clients range from some of the UK’s largest businesses and institutions, housebuilders and developers through to investors, professional partnerships, family offices, not for profit organisations and private individuals – all of which benefit from the flexible, practical approach of our lawyers.

We recognise that our people play a key part in our success and as a result we are committed to their development and well-being. We promote a healthy work-life balance and flexibility, keeping our people motivated and stimulated to deliver great things.

YOUR APPLICATION JOURNEY

Application review

Your profile will be screened by a member of the WS recruitment team. If you CV is shortlisted, you will be invited to have a short call with our Recruitment Manager, Ash Evans, to discuss your interest in the vacancy. No AI is used in our application screening process! Every candidate who applies to this role will be told if they have been successful or not in moving to the next stage.

Interview (in person at our London office)

This will be with the Partner who you would be working closely with, alongside another senior member of the real estate development team. They will discuss your interest in the role, what you are looking for professionally, and ask some competency/behavioural questions that relate to the key skills/behaviours needed for this position. We will also set you a brief written exercise.

Every candidate who reaches this stage will be offered the chance to have a feedback call with our Recruitment Manager to understand why they weren't offered the role, so that you can use this feedback to help with other job applications.

Offer of employment

If you are successful and accept our offer of employment, we will submit your details to our background screening company (Giant), who will conduct a series of background checks. Once these have been completed and we have separately validated your proof of right to work in the UK, a start date can be agreed, and your onboarding schedule can be planned.