Reports to: Department Manager
Salary: Dependent on experience
Office base: Wigan, WN3 5BA – You need to be able to comfortably commute to this location several times a week.
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Requirement to work until 6pm once/twice per week (lieu time accrued)
- Are you a motivated law graduate looking to build your legal career within a highly regarded Discrimination team?
- Do you have a passion for equality, access to justice, and helping clients navigate complex discrimination matters?
- If you're looking for a varied and rewarding role where you can gain hands-on litigation experience while developing your legal knowledge and skills, we'd love to hear from you.
As a Graduate Paralegal in our Discrimination team at Stephensons, you'll support solicitors and fee earners handling a wide range of discrimination matters, including both Employment Tribunal and civil court claims. You'll play a key role in supporting clients, assessing new enquiries, progressing cases, and assisting with all aspects of litigation and case management.
This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop practical experience in discrimination and employment law while working closely with experienced legal professionals. You'll gain exposure to client care, legal research, drafting legal documents, tribunal and court procedures, funding applications, and hearing preparation.
Working alongside a supportive and experienced team, you'll contribute to meaningful work that helps individuals enforce their rights and achieve positive outcomes.
Click here to read more about the team. Click here to meet Maria Chadwick, Partner and Head of Discrimination, Civil Liberties & Education Law
- Supporting solicitors with discrimination casework.
- Attending client meetings and preparing detailed attendance notes.
- Assisting with legal research and the preparation of written assessments and representations.
- Preparing instructions to Counsel and arranging conferences where required.
- Collating, reviewing, and analysing evidence to support ongoing litigation.
- Liaising with clients, Counsel, experts, public bodies, and other professionals to progress matters efficiently.
- Assisting with Legal Helo enquiries
- Drafting court applications, pleadings, and other legal documentation under supervision.
- Maintaining accurate case records and ensuring compliance with case management procedures.
- Managing delegated tasks effectively and completing work within agreed timescales.
- Supporting the wider team in achieving excellent client outcomes and delivering outstanding client care.
- Keeping up to date with developments in relevant areas of law and procedure.
We welcome applicants with a wide range of strengths, thinking styles and lived experiences. We're happy to discuss any workplace adjustments or support that would help you perform at your best, including communication preferences, assistive tools, or environmental changes.
We're looking for someone who can:
- Thrive in a fast-paced and often challenging litigation environment.
- Remain calm, focused, and resilient under pressure.
- Work independently whilst also contributing positively to a collaborative team.
- Manage competing priorities and deadlines effectively.
- Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
- Communicate in a friendly, respectful, and approachable manner with clients, colleagues, Counsel, and external organisations.
- Adapt quickly to changing priorities and the varying demands of litigation work.
- Build positive relationships with clients, including those experiencing difficult or stressful circumstances.
- Show a genuine interest in civil liberties, human rights, claims against public authorities, and access to justice.
- Be committed to developing a long-term career within this specialist area of law.
You will need:
- A Law Degree or relevant legal work experience.
- 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above).
- A-Level qualifications or equivalent.
- Confidence using computers and the ability to learn new systems with training.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail when preparing legal documentation and correspondence.
It's helpful, but not essential, if you also have:
- Experience working within a solicitors' practice.
- Experience supporting litigation casework.
- Experience or exposure to Human Rights, Civil Liberties, Public Law, or related areas of law.
- Knowledge of Legal Aid applications and procedures.
- Experience drafting legal documents, court applications, and pleadings.
- Experience using case management systems.
- Understanding of client care standards and complaints procedures.
We also look for individuals who embody our brand values: approachable, flexible, inclusive, resilient and supportive.
At Stephensons, we're proud to be approachable, flexible, inclusive, resilient, and supportive. We want people who not only bring strong technical skills but who also share our commitment to making a positive impact for the clients and communities we serve.
Stephensons is an award-winning, top 150 law firm committed to growth, innovation, and employee wellbeing. We are ambitious yet down-to-earth, offering a friendly workplace where your career can truly thrive.
Discover more about what it’s like to work for us Here – and hear from our Managing Partner, Sean Joyce, about our culture and values here.
Click here to view further details of our benefits package.
- Generous annual leave (increasing with service)
- Salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Early monthly pay scheme
- Life assurance
- Hybrid working
- Holiday sale & purchase scheme*
- Well‑being package (financial, physical & mental health support)
- Free parking
- Enhanced maternity & paternity pay*
- Will writing service*
- Season ticket & travel support
- Payroll giving scheme
- Social events & clubs
- Reward & recognition schemes
- Internal referral scheme
- Retail vouchers/cashback schemes
- Free eye tests
- Cycle to work scheme
- Service‑length conditions apply.
