Paralegal - Commercial

Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world’s most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve ‘Platinum Standard’ Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.

We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.

To discover more about our benefits, please visit: Benefits Package

Our top ranking Commercial group “epitomises professionalism – they are just what in-house counsel require – very experienced; intelligent, commercially minded; and supreme negotiators” (The Legal 500). From contracts for e-business to major outsourcing projects, and whether relating to purchasing, production, marketing, selling, infrastructure or technology, our lawyers understand the need to be both commercial and apply the law in real life situations in partnering our clients to achieve their commercial objectives.

This is a hugely exciting opportunity to join our Commercial group as a paralegal to support our ground-breaking Artificial Intelligence (AI) contract review service – Cia®.  

This role is an opportunity to make a valued contribution to this market-leading team and support the work of our top rated commercial group. If you want to find out more about the philosophy and approach of this innovative service for our clients – click here – Cia®.

Full training and support will be provided to you in this role. The work is fast-paced and challenging. You will need to be able to prioritise and manage your workload and adhere to deadlines as appropriate. In return, we can offer you a positive, supportive environment and the opportunity to learn quickly and get involved in interesting, complex commercial work with appropriate supervision.

The role will primarily involve supporting the Cia® team to manage commercial contract reviews through the AI platform.  There will also be opportunity to be involved in the broader Cia® business, such as account management, PR & marketing, sales and product development.

Additionally, as part of the role you will be given the fantastic opportunity to provide legal support, guidance and clearance to various consumer facing brands (including global automotive manufacturers), in respect of their advertising and marketing campaigns.  This unique opportunity will you a valuable insight into this fast-paced and exciting area of the law, working closely with both the Shoosmiths Commercial group and also as an extension of our clients’ internal teams.  No prior experience of this area is necessary and full training and support will be provided.

• Degree and LPC or ILEX qualified.
• Ideally, a minimum of 12 months’ previous commercial paralegal experience within a professional services environment – ideally in core commercial or another transactional area such as commercial real estate or corporate.
• A passion for AI and technology.
• Knowledgable and interest in social media.
• Enthusiastic with a positive, can-do attitude.
• Experience of working to deadlines and managing different tasks in accordance with business need.
• Excellent client care skills. Clients are at the heart of our work and that must be the focus at all times.
• Self-confidence and ability to demonstrate initiative thinking.
• Team orientated. There can be busy spells so you will be expected to work collaboratively with qualified fee earners to ensure a great client experience.
• Good working knowledge of various IT applications – word, excel, outlook.
• A high level of attention to detail and an organised, methodical approach.
• Thrives in a busy role and will have strong prioritising skills. 
• Good organisational skills to ensure that the tasks are effectively scheduled and that urgent work is completed and returned within the specified (sometimes short) timescales.
• Able to integrate within the smaller Cia® team as well as working on your own initiative.

Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.

This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.