Private Client Paralegal (Later Life Team) – Honiton

Private Client work is a key area of practice at Everys. Our clients include farmers, landowners, and High Net Worth Individuals which gives us a client base to rival any firm in the South West.  Our Private Client department deals with a broad range of work and comprises 35 members of staff; including both fee-earning and support staff.  We are proud of our team ethos with everyone working together to achieve a high-quality service for clients and colleagues.

The Role

Owing to the continuing volume of high-quality work we are currently looking for a bright, organised, and motivated Paralegal with a particular interest in elderly/vulnerable client work to join our Later Life Team within our Private Client Department.  This role is office-based in Honiton.

The successful candidate will be required to provide an important contribution to the work of the Private Client Department supporting the ongoing growth and development of the department’s activities and contributing to the growth of client work and fee income.   

You will need to work effectively with clients, and other members of both the private client department and the Honiton office.  You will be expected to deal professionally and efficiently with a wide range of work under supervision whilst complying with procedures and working practices.

The role will include the need for the successful candidate to produce the majority of their own documents and correspondence through the use of our case management system and to undertake their own administrative duties. 

Key Responsibilities

To administer and progress (under solicitor supervision and according to experience ) private client files (and other surrounding activities as appropriate), which may include:

• The preparation of applications to register Powers of Attorney.
• Preparing letters, drafting Oaths, and other documents, on Probate files.
• Preparing Wills, Powers of Attorneys, and related correspondence.
• Preparing other letters and documents using case management software.
• Home/property visits (driving licence preferred but not essential).
• Time recording in order to achieve an individual fee-earning target.
• Liaising with clients by telephone and in person.
• File opening, maintenance, and closing.
• Ability to undertake own filing and administrative duties.

Skills/Knowledge/Experience

You must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Educated to degree level or extensive work-based experience.
• Excellent IT skills to include the use of case management software.
• Experience of working in a private client department undertaking this nature of work would be preferable.
• A focus on developing and maintaining professional and effective client relationships at all levels, with excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• A flexible approach and the capability to work well and flourish within a team environment.
• Ability to work effectively with other colleagues internally, both within the wider team and across all practice areas and offices.
• Ability to meet financial and non-financial targets together with other broader objectives set for successful performance of this role.
• Demonstrate ability to follow procedures in accordance with professional body requirements; for example, Lexcel compliance, and the firm’s internal procedures together with meeting all compliance and quality targets.
• A flexible and enthusiastic approach that demonstrates commercial awareness and business aptitude in making decisions on a day-to-day basis.
• The ability to undertake research, produce required reports, and deal with complex documents.
• Clear, concise, and effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to produce work that is accurate and presented in a well-ordered manner.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Forward-thinking with a willingness to embrace changing working practices and pro-actively get involved in the continuous improvement of services, products, and processes.
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritise effectively.

A full Driving Licence together with access to a car is required as you will need to be able to work from different locations as the business need requires and to meet with clients and their other professional advisors at any of our offices or their premises.

The firm has been rapidly expanding in recent years, with a merger in 2022, our new Tiverton office opening in January 2024, and several promotions and lateral hires. In June 2023 we won the DASLS Law Firm of the Year award ( £3M+ turnover ). There is a real ‘feel good factor’ and staff say they “really enjoy working here”.

This is an excellent opportunity to become an integral member of our Private Client Department and to thrive in a professional and friendly environment.  If you are looking for a new challenge, please send your CV to sarah.smith@everys.co.uk.