Trainee legal assistant/paralegal

The firm’s work in very varied, ranging from development advice and negotiation of planning agreements to conducting judicial reviews and complex litigation. We act for a wide range of clients, from national developers to individual landowners and public authorities. You'll receive hands-on training throughout your apprenticeship. You'll work across all levels of our team and with leading practitioners in the field. You'll also work alongside clients, consultants and other legal professionals, and be given the opportunity to create your own professional networks to assist the development of your career. As part of our team, you'll be able to share your ideas and perspectives as our firm evolves through its third decade.

However, you can expect to be involved with the several responsibilities (with supervision as required):

• Research: conducting legal research relating to legislation, judicial decisions, planning appeal decisions and planning policy. Your research will inform advice to clients, or be shared with colleagues/external stakeholders as part of training seminars.

• Negotiating agreements: drafting and preparing legal documents such as planning and highways agreements, as well as managing execution and completion formalities.

• Client interaction: communicating with clients to take instructions, responding to queries or providing advice as appropriate.

• Document preparation: preparing court applications and bundles, drafting instructions to counsel and collating core documents for planning appeals.

• Drafting correspondence: preparing letters, routine correspondence and objection submissions.

• Case management: organising and maintaining case files, including managing deadlines.

• Court and appeal assistance: assisting with hearings and appeal proceedings, including attending court, tribunal sessions and/or public inquiries.

• Business development: assisting with marketing exercises, client pitches, articles for external publication and knowledge sharing.

• Administrative tasks: managing case files, developing precedents, scheduling meetings, handling correspondence and maintaining legal databases.

• Compliance: undertaking work pursuant to all compliance with all firm and regulatory standards.

Apply here.