Experienced Dispute Resolution Paralegal

Department/Division: Legal Delivery Centre
Duration: 12 month FTC (with the possibility of a permanent role)
Location: UK Remote
Reports to: Partner (Head of LDC), LDC Operations Manager and Team Leader
Direct Reports: None
Type of Role: Remote 

Reference no: 7309

The Department

Our Legal Delivery Centre (LDC) is a flexible and scalable paralegal resource for use across all of our UK, Ireland and Middle East offices and across the full spectrum of legal services. Meeting the ever increasing demands for disaggregated legal services, the LDC offers an exciting opportunity for development and the chance to undertake chargeable work that is varied, innovative and engaging. This is a great opportunity to join a growing team that is integral to the firm's strategy, whilst benefiting from working both virtually and flexibly – anyone located near to one of our UK offices is welcome to attend that office.

Dentons is embracing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route to qualification. Not only can your work experience count towards Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) but for suitable internal applicants we are also offering a unique opportunity for development, including financial sponsorship, through our QualiFLY programme. QualiFLY is an enhanced 2 year programme designed to provide the business with a pipeline of quality talent whilst ensuring that the experience and training gained by the paralegal is comparable to the more typical training contract route.

The Role

This is a great opportunity to join a growing team that is integral to the firm's strategy, whilst benefiting from being able to work virtually and flexibly. We welcome applications from across the UK for those seeking an alternative experience.
We are presently looking for a bright, enthusiastic and experienced Dispute Resolution paralegal to join our LDC's Dispute Resolution Team, with a focus on supporting our firm's Contentious Construction Team. 

The LDC's Dispute Resolution Team is a focused resource supporting our firm's Dispute Resolution Teams across all of our UK, Ireland and Middle East offices with the full breadth of their work. From time to time there will be the opportunity to undertake work across the full spectrum of legal service areas. An opportunity to liaise with all business areas, the LDC offers extensive exposure across the firm and to some of the firm's major clients.

Whilst this is a virtual role with no expectation or requirement that you attend any of our office locations other than for business critical needs, for those who would like to experience the office environment and meet our hybrid teams, there is the opportunity to attend our offices.

Responsibilities
 

You will work as part of a team to deliver a first-class service to our internal and external clients. Our approach is to create a collaborative environment by working collaboratively as part of a team whilst also encouraging team members to operate with a degree of independence. 

The work will include:

• Providing legal services to a wide breadth of clients including the technical skills of drafting, negotiating and advising;
• Drafting legal documents including letters of claim, statements of case, interim applications, witness statements, CPR-compliant expert instructions, standstill agreements and extension agreements, mediation position statements, settlement agreements and draft orders;
• Lisiaing in a professional manner with the court, counsel, experts, mediators, clients and adverse parties;
• Providing legal and administrative support to fee earners for their caseloads and taking the initiative where possible;
• Reviewing contractual documents and advising clients on their legal positions in various disputes;
• Maintaining matter trackers and the key dates diary;
• Financial hygiene including time recording and billing;
• Legal research.

It is essential that candidates are focused and committed to developing personally and professionally. A commitment to delivering high-quality focused services to our internal and external clients is essential, as is maintaining and developing those client relationships. 

Through newly established ways of working, including an increased emphasis on technological solutions, you will be supported in taking full ownership of some key tasks, giving you direct responsibility. Our approach is to create a friendly remote environment by working collaboratively as part of a team whilst also encouraging team members to operate with a degree of independence.

You will work closely with other members of this dedicated team as well as with our Dispute Resolution Team (with a focus on our Contentious Construction Team), legal service areas, project management team and with clients. The team has a solid teamwork ethic and a first-class internal and external client management approach. It is essential that candidates are professionals and committed to developing both personally and professionally. A commitment to deliver high-quality focused services is essential as is maintaining and developing both internal and external client relationships.

Qualified candidates will be people with energy and enthusiasm, working hard to provide the highest levels of service whilst at the same time valuing having fun being part of a friendly and collegiate team.

Required experience, skills, and attributes

• Minimum of 1-2 years Dispute Resolution experience;
• Minimum of three A levels at grade B, or equivalent;
• A qualification in law (Degree, Graduate Diploma in Law);
• Ability to handle a high volume of matters and to tight deadlines;
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel and Outlook);
• Ability to organise, prioritise, prioritize various tasks and work well in a time-sensitive situation and to tight deadlines;
• Ability to work accurately with great attention to detail;
• Demonstrate commitment and initiative;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, with the competence to deal effectively with Partners and professionals across the firm;
• Able to work well in a team.

Firm Profile

Across more than 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organisation by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com

Inclusion and Diversity

We are committed to building an inclusive culture here at Dentons where our people can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance. As well as being the right thing to do, it makes good business sense too. A richness of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives helps us best serve our clients and the communities in which we operate. You can find out more about inclusion and diversity at Dentons here: Inclusion and Diversity.

Equal Opportunities

Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from everyone including of any age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, neurodiversity, disability, or with parental or caring responsibilities. We also offer flexible working hours.

During the application process, all applicants have the opportunity to tell us about any adjustments or support they require so they are able to perform at their best. Any information you share with us during the application process is treated in confidence.

If you have any questions about this or the role criteria, please email recruitment.matters@dentons.com. 

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

If you are interested in applying for this position, we welcome direct applications via our careers page, but if you have any questions beforehand, please email  recruitment.matters@dentons.com. Enquiries only please – applications will not be accepted via email.

Please note that we will not accept unsolicited CVs sent to the business, nor will we accept any associated terms of business.