Paralegal assistant

My name is Alex Woods and I am a solicitor who has recently obtained authorisation as a law firm ("Recognised Sole Practitioner") specialising in financial mis-selling litigation. The name of the firm is Redwood Legal.  Clients are mostly consumers with complex PPI cases or small businesses with more complex financial instruments, which require litigation.  There is also an additional growing client base in the insolvency sector amongst insolvency practitioners who have need for legal advice and assistant in the field of financial mis-selling in insolvency.

I am looking for at least one paralegal assistant, preferably on a full-time basis, commencing July, and am running an initial recruitment phase in which I ask candidates to undertake the following process:

• Send me a CV and covering note to [email protected] putting "Paralegal Assistant - Application" in the subject heading.
• Attend for informal coffee/lunch interview at my location, if shortlisted.
• (i) Attend for ½ day or full day on a specific project - this may be filing, bill a file, write a letter etc which will get a chance for us to meet one another over a specific piece of work;  alternatively
  (ii) Undertake a task that can be done away from the office.
• Commence work in July and commit in principle to a minimum period of 18 months.

The job would ideally suit someone who has worked in the financial sector, perhaps for a bank in their legal section or a paralegal already working for a civil litigation firm or at the Financial Ombudsman Service.  At least some level of experience in the sector is therefore preferred (Although ultimately, ability, aptitude and a good work-ethic are the key factors).  It might suit an individual who has worked in finance but now wishes to move into law.   It may also suit someone who has bigger ambitions to work for a large, established law firm but who would like to gain 18 months - two years experience with a start-up law firm and improve their CV.  The individual would need to be pro-active and to be able to work alone, for example managing the office whilst Alex Woods is away.

Please do not assume this role would lead to a training contract. 

The job would be "jack of all trades" and the various roles and responsibilities would include:

• Litigation assistant;
• General administrative, reception and office support;
• Working with case management system & good level of IT skills;
• Maintaining and managing two websites;
• Sales & Marketing support including liaising with sales team & associate law firm and CMC;
• Managing clients;
• Assisting in regulatory requirements - understanding and monitoring compliance under the SRA;
• Accounting support/preparation of accounts;
• Production of calculations & mathematical estimates.

Essentially the role is a fantastic opportunity to obtain a rounded understanding of the workings of a law firm in its first two years of business.  Alex Woods has set up financial mis-selling units at two law firms over the past four years.  Please look at the following video to find out who I am,  my approach as a lawyer and the type of legal issues I am currently addressing here.

Some of the work involved would be sprucing up two video bulletin web-sites and managing all areas relating to recording and uploading and transcribing of videos. 

Please also note that a high level of accuracy is required and applicants will be tested on their ability in this area. Re-structuring loans with PPI stripped-out is an important part of the work and such mathematical exercises require 100% accuracy.