Paralegal - Immigration

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with more than 5,000 people across over 30 countries. We’re full-service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we’re equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we’re purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We’re ambitious for our clients, our communities – and for you. Whether you’re starting out on your career or well established, whether you’re a lawyer or in business services. If you’re looking for what’s next, we are too.

As a paralegal, you will enjoy a variety of work: regional to international handling a broad range of business immigration work under the supervision our dedicated team. You’re encouraged to put ideas into action and there’s always something new and different to get involved in. We see the fast-moving world as a place where we can all thrive and succeed. We’re excited for what’s next, so with us, you can be too.

Our team

We provide employers with a comprehensive global mobility service. We operate as a workstream within ELPG, combining our extensive understanding of international employment and pensions law with immigration, tax and strategic labor relations advice. Our 400-strong team provides a full spectrum of legal advice, covering everything from contentious and non-contentious single country matters to complex, multijurisdictional projects. Our technical knowledge and cross-sector experience allow us to deliver people and workforce solutions to a wide range of organizations, from blue-chip FTSE and Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and owner-managed businesses

Role and key responsibilities

You will have responsibility for advising on a wide range of immigration matters (both contentious and non-contentious) and will work alongside the education team on compliance for staff and students. The role will require managing a case load where you will review and prepare documentation for applications under visa routes including under the Skilled Worker and Student routes. As part of this you will update case management systems and provide general support to clients across legal technology platforms

There is also a range of compliance work for education clients, including assisting in undertaking audits of student route and skilled worker compliance at private providers, further education colleges and universities. The role will include extensive UK travel and the ability to work within a small team and to work at client site is essential.

The role also requires an element of business development. This will include attending scoping calls and drafting proposals for clients and managing the audit diary. Working with our legal tech team to manage current and develop new legal tech solutions. Drafting articles and briefings and working with the national education team to feed in to the training and marketing programme and agenda.

Skills and experience

You should be a team player, client focused and a good communicator with a strong practical and commercial approach to your workload and advice to clients. You don’t necessarily need immigration experience but an understanding of the immigration system and the education system in the UK is advantageous. We are looking for candidates with skills in the following areas:

Legal Knowledge

• Some knowledge of the UK Immigration law and / or experience with student visas, skilled worker visas and sponsor compliance
• Familiarity with the education sector, specifically universities and private providers
• Experience of handling casework through a case management system for visas
• Understanding of the UKVI SMS and the ability to use, draft and report under the system
• Being able to correspond with the Home Office and communicate with UKVI compliance officers

Practical Skills

• Strong organisation skills and attention to detail
• Good knowledge and use of Excel
• Ability to draft and review reports, draft CoS and CAS
• Keeping up to date with UK immigration laws, sponsor guidance and sector policies
• Experience of legal technology and ability to see and suggests improvements to current practices
• Ability to track visa deadlines and expiry of visas and liaise with HR teams, compliance managers and applicants

Personal Attributes

• Experience of working in a national team of lawyers
• Good communication skills to liaise with University staff, the UKVI and colleagues, often under time pressure
• Problem solving mindset to review complex cases and solve compliance challenges.

Qualifications

• A good law degree or
• Other relevant degree with at least 2 years experience of working in the legal sector

What’s in it for you?

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

• We’re fair, transparent and equitable
• We share in the success of the firm, reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance
• We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working
• We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support
• We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion
• We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs
• We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross-function exposure
• We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement
• We help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance

Diversity & Inclusion

At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals: together.

We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations.

Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process

We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.

For you,

For your success.

And what's next.