Paralegal - Claimant & Union (Employment)

The Penningtons Manches Cooper Employment Team provides fast, proactive and practical legal support. Approachable and commercially aware, our specialists have in-depth experience of the issues faced by businesses when managing their staff. 

We are recognised as market leaders in advising employees, trade unions and staff associations on a range of issues, including industrial disputes, severance agreements, regulatory matters and claims in the Employment tribunal, High Court and appellate courts, with particular expertise in whistleblowing and discrimination claims. 

The Employment Team is looking to recruit a paralegal, ideally with some previous experience, either to be based in our expanding Birmingham office, or our London office. The role is focused on working with claimants and our trade union/staff association clients.

The work will involve contentious and non-contentious employment matters, as well as regulatory and pension issues for members of our trade unions and staff association clients, as well as representation in claims in the Employment Tribunal and civil courts. 

The role will suit a confident and enthusiastic individual who has a genuine interest in claimant work.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following;

• Supporting senior members of the team with fee earning, undertake fee-earning work and providing a profitable contribution to the work of the team
• Liaising with clients
• Assisting on large group claims
• Draft documents and advice letters
• Carry out legal research
• Keeping up to date with law changes
• To be an ambassador for the firm at all times and always promote it in a positive light.

Essential Criteria

• Knowledge of employment legislation
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to manage a busy workload and excellent organisational skills
• Ability to work both alone and collaboratively with other team members
• Confidence in client facing communications
• Attention to accuracy and detail
• Collaborative team member with ability to quickly build relationships with a wide range of people
• Flexible, pragmatic and problem-solving approach
• Comfortable working under pressure with the ability to plan and prioritise work; appreciation of fee earner needs and constraints; commercial awareness.
• interest in and commitment to claimant work;

Desirable Criteria

• Previous paralegal experience
• Previous experience of working in an Employment team
• Experience of working on large group actions

The firm operates an agile working policy.

At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard. You can find out more about our firm’s commitment, initiatives and Pennclusion committees here.

We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background. We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long-term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity. If you would like to request an adjustment, please contact Emily.Green@penningtonslaw.com