We have an excellent opportunity for a Paralegal to join our Private Client Trusts team in Wellington to provide support to the team with a view to developing a caseload. The successful candidate will undertake the administration of ongoing trusts; assist with Trust Registration Service referrals, deal with the preparation of Trust documents and deeds and assist with the termination of trusts under the supervision of the Solicitor or Senior Associate.
Role Responsibilities including but not limited to:
- Liaise with trustee clients, beneficiaries and external organisations in a timely and professional manner.
- Deal with the administration of Trusts at different stages including upon creation and termination.
- Draft legal documents which alter or terminate trusts, appoint or remove trustees.
- Assist with administration of charitable trusts and trusts for vulnerable beneficiaries.
- Monitor the performance and condition of trust assets such as investments and properties.
- Complete registration of Trusts with HMRC’s Trust Registration Service in respect of new referrals and existing trusts, undertake any changes to the register and submit annual declarations.
- Open files, prepare and send initial client engagement documentation.
- Review client ID documents to ensure compliance with Money Laundering obligations and internal policies.
- Ensure all email correspondence and attachments are entered on to Peppermint and Matter Summary Sheets are updated accordingly.
- Draft straightforward legal documents using the precedents provided, filing documents online where appropriate and develop skills to deal with more complex transactions.
- Contribute to the maintenance of a strict diary note of deadlines and timescales relevant to Legal Advisor(s) matters.
- Attending client meetings with advisors and taking comprehensive notes.
- Ensure all photocopying and scanning is accurate; take responsibility for checking photocopying/scanning done by Office Assistant.
- Attend to clients on the phone and in person, accurately recording any messages and passing on to the appropriate person without delay.
- Provide proactive administrative support and matter management tasks that include but are not limited to keeping up to date with progress on matters; identifying follow up actions needed; proactively contributing to team billing and file closures where appropriate., WIP, disbursement and debts, file closure and residual balances.
Working closely with the fee earners in our Trusts Team and wider Private Client department, this role would best suit someone who is proactive and enthusiastic, with great interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with people at all levels. Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work flexibly to deadlines will be important. Strong administrative skills are essential, along with commitment to delivering a high-quality and professional service in a cost-effective manner. More technical requirements include excellent IT skills including the use of Microsoft office and Outlook. Ideally you will have experience in a law firm environment providing legal support to fee earners, but we would welcome applications from those who feel they meet the requirements of the role.
In addition to a competitive salary, you will also get:
- 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays
- Extra Day of Holiday for your Birthday
- Flexible Working
- Private Healthcare
- Pension Scheme(s)
- Life Assurance
- Eye Tests
- Flu Jabs
- Corporate Gym Membership Discounts
- Legal Support
- Opportunities to get involved with charity fundraising, sports teams and office socials
Porter Dodson is an award-winning Top 200 UK Law Firm, providing commercial and private legal services to individuals and businesses across Somerset, Devon and Dorset.
We're proud of a regional presence that gives clients the local connections and friendly in-person service they love. Being embedded in our local communities and market sectors gives our clients a superb service grounded in the real world.
What makes Porter Dodson a great place to work is our people and our culture. Our team are the lifeblood of the firm, and we are fully committed to ensuring our team are motivated, well cared for, and fulfilling their potential at work. Our people are our priority, which is why we have such excellent staff retention rates and how we have sustained a gold accreditation from Investors in People since 2016.
