Role summary/purpose of job

 As part of a team working routinely across the weekend (Friday to Monday -

Some flexibility may be considered ), the Weekend LSS will provide fee-earning legal services support to the global firm.

The work will range from urgent, short-term tasks requiring immediate support, to longer term projects and tasks where the LSS will act as an integrated member of Practice Group teams alongside associates from across the global firm.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

The Weekend LSS will contribute to an inclusive working environment where all colleagues are treated with fairness and respect, applying the ‘Being Freshfields’ principles at all times.

The Weekend LSS will contribute to the Hub’s culture of quality, striving for excellence in standard of output and being a positive role model within the team.

The Weekend LSS will work as part of a team carrying out a range of tasks to support our global client needs. The Weekend LSS will have the opportunity to engage with fee earners from all fields, but will have specific focus on Global M&A and Capital, Dispute Resolution and Anti-Trust Competition and Trade practice groups.

With experience, there are opportunities to specialize in areas such as Capital Markets, International Arbitration and Financial Regulatory.

Core operational tasks to support client mandates include, but are not limited to:

• Due Diligence reviews;

• Document review for an investigation or at the disclosure stage of a litigation;

• Document cross-checking, making document amendments;

• Proofreading of documents including contracts, agreements and transcripts;

• Reviewing and marking up non-disclosure agreements;

• Document collation, version control and document review;

• Data Room management;

• Database entry/coding, database searching and database maintenance;

• Hard copy document management;

• Legal research (manual or electronic); and

• Creating and populating tables, schedules and agendas

• Bundle preparation (e.g. witness bundles and trial bundles) includes document searches to identify which documents are to be included in a bundle, bulk printing, arranging photocopying, copy-checking, indexing, file preparation and collation. If documents are stored electronically, it may also include database tagging and/or searching;

This work will be carried out following established processes and using workflow and work allocation systems as required.

The Weekend LSS will also contribute to the development and continuous improvement of the CDG by assisting with requirements gathering, process mapping, process evaluation and support documentation as required.

The Weekend LSS will maintain a daily log of all activity and a record of time spent.  They will establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of Freshfields employees.  They will identify and escalate issues in a timely and effective manner.

The Weekend LSS will be expected to be proactive in the acquisition of skills using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and in the use of AI wherever reasonable and approved in their work.

The Weekend LSS will have a four-day working week with standard hours as follows:

Friday         9am – 6pm

Saturday    9am – 6pm

Sunday       9am – 6pm

Monday      9am – 6pm

The Weekend LSS will be required to be present in the Manchester office for at least two days each week and as required by the firm.

The Weekend LSS will prioritize ad hoc tasks received towards the end of the traditional working week and over the UK weekend, providing support for global offices in different time zones.  This will allow the Hub to respond to growing demand for out-of-hours working and short-notice requests.

The overlap with LSS teams on Friday and Monday will also mean the opportunity to work on other long-term projects as part of a larger collaborative effort and allow for effective handover between teams.

Other tasks that are legal and reasonable as required.

Key requirements

Professional qualifications

• Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree, preferably in law, or equivalent. 

It is preferred that:

• candidates holding an undergraduate degree in an area other than law will have completed a recognized law conversion course; and/or

• candidates will have completed the LPC or BPTC or be overseas qualified or equivalent (preferred LPC electives for the role include: Acquisitions, Banking and Capital Markets, Commercial Law, Corporate Finance, Intellectual Property Competition; and Commercial Disputes Resolution).

Experience

• Previous corporate paralegal experience in a large law firm would be an advantage but is not essential.

Technical requirements

Essential:

• Strong computer skills and experience in using MS Office tools (in particular Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and SharePoint).

• Excellent attention to detail;

• The ability to work in accordance with established processes;

• The ability to complete work to tight deadlines when required; and

• The ability to work with large amounts of information.

Preferred:

• Experience of using document management systems;

• Knowledge of legal search engines such as Butterworths, LexisNexis, OJ online and Justis;

• Experience of using a range of legal technologies, including different data room providers, artificial intelligence and document review platforms; and

• Fluency in a second language with an ability to translate legal documents into English: key languages of interest are: Arabic; Cantonese; Mandarin; French; German; Italian; Spanish.

Competencies

• Excellent attention to detail;

• The ability to work in accordance with established processes;

• The ability to complete work to tight deadlines when required; and

• The ability to work with large amounts of information.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to listen, clarify and share information easily;

• The ability to build strong working relationships;

• The ability to identify and communicate opportunities to improve the way that work is done;

• A diplomatic and adaptable team working style;

• Strong commercial awareness;

• Dedication to meeting and exceeding customer expectations;

• Resilient and able to remain calm and positive under pressure and when dealing with ambiguity;

• Actively manage personal learning and development; and

• A commitment to the highest levels of integrity.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered on the basis of their merit alone. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK in the role in question and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only if and when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case-by-case basis and take a number of relevant factors into account (e.g. the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.