Paralegal - French Legal Services, Bury St Edmunds
We are looking for a French speaking Paralegal to join us to provide Paralegal support toour fee earners in the French Legal team, as well as managing your own caseload.
What you will be doing:
- Drafting legal documentation, including Wills and legal opinions
- Taking on responsibility for much of the day to day running of appropriate property related matters
- Chase / liaise with clients and other parties, such as Estate Agents, for key information if necessary
- Liaising with clients and dealing with queries as appropriate and arranging appointments as appropriate
- Undertake and assist with report writing in relation to properties for clients
- Prepare forms and paperwork as necessary
- Maintaining direct contact with own clients and those with other lawyers, including face to face meetings, telephone calls, emails and letters.
- Use legal knowledge and skills to take instructions from clients and provide reasoned and considered advice, specific to the particular needs of the clients
- Dealing with new enquiries from potential clients
- Prepare forms
- Schedule all key dates and reminders on case management system
- Check to-do list daily and action/notify fee earner
- Use initiative to progress matters as appropriate
- Organise instructions
- Other casework assistance as requested
- Take instructions and / or messages from clients
- Maintain an efficient diary system using outlook/case management system highlighting milestone dates on each matter.
- Discuss issues within the team in order to develop self and others within the team
Knowledge, skills and experience required
- High level of fluency in both spoken and written French and English is essential
- Experience of French law and English law is preferred
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate by telephone or face to face with internal and external clients
- Ability to listen and explain legal concepts to clients with clarity
- Good organisational skills
- Strong team playing skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Methodical approach
- Courteous and efficient telephone manner
- Well-developed communication and inter-personal skills
- Ability to display empathy to clients
- Flexible approach, working with other members of the team when necessary