Paralegal - Construction & Engineering

Job Introduction

This role is to work as part of the Construction & Engineering team based out of our Newcastle office.

The non-contentious Construction & Engineering team has built up an exceptional reputation in the residential development sector and is on national panels with a number of top name house builders. The team also acts for local and national private developers, large national and international corporates, contractors, construction professionals, public sector organisations and education sector institutions. The team is also increasingly winning and servicing work in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

The team also has a proven record in Paralegal progression with a number of our paralegals successfully qualifying as solicitors (and since progressing to more senior roles within the team). They are well placed to offer you support in progressing onto a training contract or achieving legal qualification via alternative methods such as CILEx or apprenticeships, if this is something you are aiming for.

This role offers the unique opportunity to handle your own case load and experience managing client relationships early in your legal career. Progression within the role is encouraged and managed by experienced and knowledgeable senior members of the team..

Main Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include but are not restricted to:

• Responding to ad hoc requests for information from clients, document preparation, negotiation and legal research.
• Management of your own case load.
• Interaction with the firm’s clients, providing a high level of service at all times.
• Exercising full compliance with DAC Beachcroft policies, procedures and protocols.
• Developing a high level of financial and case/file management.
• Contributing to fee-earning and non-fee-earning activity as appropriate e.g. knowledge sharing, training, assisting and preparing updates for clients and the team, legal research, input into pitch documents and tendering exercises etc.
• Building an awareness of the firm's other services and developing effective internal and external networks.
• Handling confidential information in line with the firms' data security protocols.

The Ideal Candidate

• Experience in construction, commercial/residential property or contract law generally is not essential, but would be advantageous.
• A strong academic track record with a genuine interest in the law.
• Excellent attention to detail, and strong communication skills (written and verbal) with an ability to produce work to a high standard.
• Confident with an ability to build strong relationships with clients (internal and external) and third party contacts at all levels.
• Ambition to learn and develop in the role.
• Must be flexible, organised, and self-motivated team player who is able to work within the team to achieve common goals.
• Must be able to work under pressure to meet required deadlines.