Paralegal (Private Client Team)

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Website JE Bennett Law

Location: Eridge House, 1 Linden Close, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 8HH

About us

JE Bennett Law is an industry-leading Law Firm based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent; specialising in Court of Protection Law, Power of Attorney, Personal Injury Trusts, Wills and Probate and Expert Witness Services founded by Jane Bennett and Tom Beaufoy in 2011.

 

Jane Bennett is ranked in Chambers as a national leading Court of Protection Property and Affairs practitioner and the firm is ranked in the Legal 500.  The firm is also Lexcel- accredited. We pride ourselves on our professionalism and dedication to our clients.

 

Our team provides advice, assistance and representation to vulnerable adults who lack capacity to make certain decisions, predominantly in relation to their property and affairs.  We also represent family members, carers and other people interested in a vulnerable adult’s welfare.

 

The role:

The Paralegal works in the Private Client team, assisting the partners and other fee-earners in the handling of Probate and administration of estates, Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney matters, including handling statutory Will matters. This may involve drafting legal documents, forms and the provision of legal advice to clients. The Paralegal works under the supervision of solicitors within the team and works closely with other fee earners, providing hands on assistance with all matters relating to client files. The Paralegal can also be expected to step in and assist junior paralegals in the wider team, particularly new joiners when the Team Leaders are unavailable, and to assist the Senior Team Leaders with a variety of tasks when requested.

 

The key focuses of this role are:

 

Personal Management:

  • Managing your own caseload, including assisting the solicitors in the provision of legal advice.

 

This role includes:

  • Legal research
  • Drafting legal and other documents; forms and letter-writing
  • Handling confidential/sensitive client or case information
  • Creating reports for Solicitors based on case specification
  • Conducting meetings and providing advice to clients
  • Monitoring changes to the law; government guidelines or regulations and maintaining Continuing Professional Development Plans and Records; contributing to team monthly Continuing Professional Development meetings
  • Organising legal files
  • Undertaking or supervising the undertaking of file administration
  • Dealing with new enquiries by telephone or email
  • Drafting Lasting Powers of Attorney
  • Drafting Wills
  • Liaising with clients and third parties
  • Preparing attendance notes
  • Preparing estate accounts
  • Supporting administration at a high level

Key Relationships

  • Partners, Department Heads, Fee Earners, PA’s and support staff
  • Suppliers and Clients

Essential

Academic/ 

Vocational Qualifications 
  • 2:1 degree or above, in Law-related degree or equivalent experience 

Experience 
  • Extensive demonstrable experience dealing with complex paralegal and administrative private client work in a law firm with a minimum of 2 to 3 years’ experience
  • Strong written and spoken communication skills
  • Excellent analytical skills
  • Independent and proactive approach to work, but willing to ask for help when needed
  • Hard-working, resilient, highly organised, and flexible
  • Acute attention to detail
  • Respectful of client confidentiality

Knowledge/ Skills 
  • Demonstrates sound judgement and good decision making when dealing with problems
  • Able to identify a problem arising and can develop a solution or take the correct course of action
  • Knows when to seek guidance or further input from others before taking action
  • Checks that information is accurate and complete
  • Looks for new solutions to problems as well as tried and tested methods

Communication Skills                  
  • Able to express oneself both orally and in writing in a clear and constructive way. 
  • Willing to ask questions, listen to others’ views and accept advice. 
  • Willing to contribute ideas and seek improvements. 
  • Good client / introducer handling skills both by telephone and face to face. 

Working with People 
  • Ability to build and maintain working relationships with others and act as a role model for the values of the Firm. 
  • Operates effectively as part of a team encouraging others to contribute ideas and seek improvements. 
  • Willing to offer help to all colleagues to ensure company success. 

Qualities/ Attributes 
  • Self-motivated and willing to take responsibility for organising your own activities to ensure that all targets and quality standards are met. 
  • Copes effectively in demanding circumstances. 
  • Good time management, adopting a flexible approach to work. 
  • Demonstrates persistence and commitment to completing tasks and objectives. 
  • Delivers work output to the required standard. 
  • Pays attention to detail and quality of work. 
  • Demonstrates a commitment to improving and where appropriate helps to devise new working practices, and supports company plans and policies. 
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To apply for this job email your details to hr@jebennettlaw.co.uk

About author

About Author

JE Bennett Law Admin

Eridge House, 1 Linden Close, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 8HH

JE Bennett Law is a Limited company incorporated in England and Wales (No.7875908), and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (No.565975). VAT No. 137814893