Paralegal – Utilities Disputes
Wedlake Bell’s highly regarded Utilities team are recruiting a Paralegal to support its busy and market-leading practice. This is a full-time permanent position, with the expectation of five days office attendance per week.
The Utilities team at Wedlake Bell is a specialist group (ranked Tier 1 by Legal 500 for Debt Recovery) acting for large utilities provider clients – including the majority of the UK’s Big Five energy providers. The team handles a wide range of contentious work, including court litigation, debt recovery, and insolvency matters, alongside some advisory work on licensing and regulatory issues.
Paralegals in the Utilities Team will manage a varied and fast-paced caseload of disputes matters, as well as supporting lawyers on more complex matters – many of which are shaped by current affairs and regularly feature in the national press.
The role offers an excellent opportunity to develop your disputes experience within a close-knit and supportive team, working on high-profile matters for household-name clients in the utilities sector.
Find out more about our Utilities practice here.
About Us:
Located in the heart of the City of London, Wedlake Bell is a Top 100 law firm offering full services across Private Client, Real Estate, Business Services, and Disputes. The firm has 81 Partners and a total headcount of around 400. We have grown year-on-year, attributed to the continual success of our legal teams, and the dedication of our staff members.
Our culture is widely-recognised as one of the best in City law, built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. Joining us, you will be part of a firm which supports work/life balance, personal development, and building strong connections. With regular cross-firm socials and events (including our renowned yearly ski trip and walking trips), you will quickly feel like part of the WB team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Providing general paralegal support on a variety of utilities disputes matters, including:
- Handling a busy caseload of utilities disputes throughout the litigation life cycle – from the pre-action process to successful outcome;
- Helping draft and prepare documentation including: pre-action letters and correspondence, court filing, claims, statutory demands, bankruptcy and winding-up petitions, settlement agreements, etc;
- Being a day-to-day contact for clients to provide updates on their matters and providing legal advice under supervision;
- Undertaking legal research;
- Dealing with routine client and/or third party queries and reporting to relevant fee earner with updates where necessary;
- Assisting with the team’s knowledge management;
- Assisting with the team’s business development initiatives; and
- Organising and maintaining accurate files both electronically and hard copy.
- Other administrative tasks including diarising and monitoring key dates, facilitating client on-boarding through drafting engagement letters and corresponding with clients regarding required AML documentation, assisting with preparing, reviewing and sending out bills, etc; and
- Other ad-hoc responsibilities as required.
Key Skills and Qualifications:
- A relevant legal qualification – holding a degree (or post-graduate qualification) in law or a related field;
- Ideally some prior work experience, or a demonstrable understanding of litigation and the disputes process (showcasing dedicated study in these subjects, or work experiences/internships in relevant organisation) – though not essential to be considered;
- Excellent communication skills – must be able to interact and communicate effectively across all levels of seniority and on both an internal and external basis;
- Able to work well under pressure and in keeping with deadlines;
- Must have excellent attention to detail and organisational skills; and
- Strong IT capabilities, including a good understanding of modern office software (in particular the Office 365 suite).
Why Join Us?
- A competitive starting salary and bonus;
- A comprehensive pension plan;
- 25 days paid holiday per annum, plus additional leave for significant life events;
- Option to purchase up to five additional days of holiday each year;
- Life Assurance and competitive income protection scheme;
- Access to Private Medical and Dental Insurance from day one;
- Enhanced parental leave policies;
- Employee Assistance Programme with face-to-face counselling services;
- Variety of staff wellbeing initiatives including Pilates classes and subsidised gym memberships; and
- A range of bonus schemes recognising referrals and client introductions.
We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, where every individual is respected and valued. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, irrespective of their background or personal circumstances.
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