About Gowling WLG

We have more than 1,400 legal professionals working around the world. Our offices span across 19 cities in Canada, the UK, Continental Europe, Asia and the Middle East. There's strength in our global presence, we embrace our differing cultures and work together as one team. We also understand the importance of investing in relationships that build knowledge and trust, while we provide legal advice that's tailored to our clients' world.

'Our people and distinct culture are what makes us different. We know this through client and employee feedback and this drives everything we do'' Chris Oglethorpe, HR Director.

There are great opportunities for all our people to flourish. Through training and personal development they can grow in their role. Our people are the cornerstone of our success, across legal, business support and early talent. We care about their happiness and believe in the power of teamwork.

We want them to feel empowered and recognise that by supporting, respecting and embracing everyone's different contributions we achieve more.

Working flexibly, working fairly

Agile working offers people more freedom and flexibility in where, when, and how they work. As technology advances and our workforce becomes more diverse, and with clients often working to a 24/7 rhythm, having extra flexibility is key to helping us balance work and other commitments sensibly and productively.

By supporting people to choose where and when they get their work done, we help them to make a full and fair contribution to their team, while maintaining that all important work-life balance.

Where possible and depending on business needs, we will consider all flexible working options such as part-time working, job sharing, working from home and staggered hours.

If in considering a role with Gowling WLG you favour flexibility in your working arrangements, please discuss this with the recruitment team in the early stages of the application process. 

Main purpose of the role: 

Our business is growing and we are looking for a Legal Clerk to join the Specialist Real Estate Services team.

You will be supporting team members in relation to major retail and leisure landlords and agents.

Main Duties and Responsibilities: 

• File Management – receiving instructions from clients. Opening files in our systems within timescales required. Scanning, copying and eFiling deeds, documents and communications.
• Conflict checking - requesting conflict searches and reviewing/eFiling results for team members.
• Searches – using the Land Registry online portal to obtain and review copy entries and title plans, carrying out searches, processing post completion work such as the registration of leases, cancellation of leases and noting of easements.
• SDLT (stamp duty land tax) paperwork and submissions of SDLT within the 28 day deadline.
• Deeds management – maintaining complete and accurate records of deeds received into the team and despatched back to clients or third parties.  Liaising with our archives department in relation to deeds and archived files.
• Communication – by telephone, standard letter, email, in person or other communication media with clients, agents and third parties as well as with other team members.
• Finance – creating bill requests, finance forms and completing spreadsheets with financial information.
• Reporting - entering and updating data in spreadsheets for client reporting /updates.
• Portal management – scanning, uploading, downloading and eFiling of deeds and documents, correspondence and other communications via online portals, deal rooms or data rooms.
• Administration duties – including scanning of documents, correspondence, engrossing of documents and photocopying.
• Any other reasonable duties delegated by any Partner, Practice Operations Manager or Practice Co-Ordinator.

Qualifications

Key Skills and Experience:

Working in an inclusive, sharing and collaborative culture you will be expected to play your part in ensuring the continuing success and growth of the team. Previous experience of working in a legal environment is essential. 

You should be able to: 

• Manage your workload to tight deadlines, remain calm under pressure and prioritise your workload effectively.
• Work in a team environment (this may include working as part of a bigger project team) and support your colleagues.
• Communicate appropriately and confidently at all levels within the team and the wider business as well as with clients, agents and other parties in person, by phone, letter, email or other communication means.
• Use your initiative to solve problems.

You should have:

• Knowledge and experience of working with SDLT forms, Land Registry Portal and Land Registry applications.
• Effective organisation skills.
• Attention to detail and numeracy.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good keyboard, IT and data entry skills.
• Problem solving abilities.
• Enthusiasm.

Equal Opportunities:

Gowling WLG is committed both to promoting equality and diversity in the firm and to Equal Opportunities in employment.  The firm believes in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins), religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender re-assignment and gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity and paternity.  This also includes any incidents of perceptive or associative discrimination and harassment.

At Gowling WLG we seek to attract and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, to create an exciting and rewarding place to work.  Our aim is to fulfil everyone's potential and together to achieve personal and business goals.

Standard hours of work are 9.30 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday with 1 hour for lunch (35 hours per week).