Real Estate Disputes Paralegal

THE FIRM

Addleshaw Goddard is a premium international commercial law firm with an exceptional breadth of services; we are known for the quality of our advice, the imagination we bring and the impact we make. We are a Firm which has innovation built into its DNA – no matter the challenge, we deliver bespoke advice for our clients, providing them with smart, usable solutions that are customised, collaborative and integrate into their businesses. Our knowledge of our chosen sectors and markets, and our investment in our client relationships set us apart. We are a natural choice for FTSE 100 companies and we not only provide technical excellence and experience to them but crucially, we demonstrate real insight into their business and what really matters to them.

THE TEAM

Launched in 2010, our well-established, high performing and busy Transaction Services Team (TST) help Addleshaw Goddard deliver a world class service to its clients. We were the first team of its kind in the UK, and continue to innovate by delivering work in the most efficient way, saving our clients time and money. We are now one of the Firm's biggest divisions, with our team being made up of apprentices, paralegals, managers and solicitors.

Our team members focus on tasks that are found in a wide variety of legal assignments but which do not necessarily need to be done by qualified lawyers, including process elements of transactional, advisory and contentious work. We are supported by the use of technology and play a key role in enabling Addleshaw Goddard to respond to client demand for more innovative and better value services.

Aside from a competitive salary and flexible benefits package, you'll get fantastic opportunities to support some of the UK's largest businesses, as well as the potential for exciting internal and client secondments. With our focus on continuous development and progression, we created a career development framework and training programme specifically for the TST. As part of that framework you'll have the opportunity to have a career conversation every 4 months to ensure we're supporting you to meet your development goals and to discuss your progression. In addition, you'll have access to our internal training contract application process, legal qualification sponsorship and management or technical development programmes.

THE ROLE

The work that comes into the team is varied. Each member of our team is assigned to one of the divisionally aligned subteams. Whilst predominantly carrying out work for your subteam, you can expect to work on a variety of assignments from across all of the Firm's groups, which gives you a good insight into the workings of a commercial law firm. The specific Real Estate Disputes assignments you will be working on can include the following:

• Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 Lease renewals – This work involves the management of key statutory and Court deadlines and providing strategic advice to clients. It is client facing work taking instructions, surrounding agreement and documentation of statutory extension agreements. It also involves communication with the Courts, drafting claim forms, agreeing Court directions with adverse parties, drafting witness statements, drafting and filing of consent orders and other Court forms.
• Asset management work – This work involves day to day asset management work for large investor clients including the issuing of tenancy at will letters, arrears recovery, forfeiture notices, torts notices, service of dilapidations schedules and drafting settlement agreements.
Ad-hoc – Work can come through from Manchester and London offices which is generally to support on larger tasks or urgent work. Other ad hoc tasks can include bundling for Court hearings and Trials, including assistance with drafting witness statements and claim forms, in relation to trespass and possession proceedings.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Due to the dynamic nature of the work we do and the clients we seek to serve, the role is not an ordinary "9-5" job. For the right person, this role provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to our proven success by utilising a wide set of skills essential to a career in the TST. Successful candidates will have:

• a high level of attention to detail
• effective personal, organisational and time management skills, and the ability to juggle multiple demands
• strong written and verbal communication skills, demonstrating an ability to communicate with colleagues at all levels
• a positive, enthusiastic and proactive approach to work
• a strong work ethic and a desire to develop and succeed
• the ability to work to tight timescales with a sense of urgency
• common sense, commerciality and the ability to exercise sound judgment
• an interest in, or experience of, using technology to deliver work

Previous paralegal experience is of relevance, but not essential

BENEFITS

As a firm, we aim to provide a positive experience to everyone who works here and our focus on financial, lifestyle and wellbeing benefits ensures that this experience goes beyond the nine-to-five. As part of this mission, some of the benefits employees of AG can expect are;

• Life Assurance & Income Protection
• Competitive employer matched pension contribution rate
• Health and wellbeing subsidiary, up to £180 per year
• One day per year to volunteer (as part of our CSR initiative)
• Buy/Sell holidays (up to 5 days each year)
• Mental health and wellbeing initiatives such as The Mindful Business Charter, Mental Health Champions and 1:1 sessions with an in-house professional
• Talent referral bonus incentives
• AG Excellence awards for the recognition of exceptional effort
• Opt in private medical and private dental insurance
• Opt in annual health screening
• Voluntary critical illness cover
• Annual discretionary bonus plan