Job description

Department purpose

Our Global Financial Markets (GFM) team covers an exciting and broad area of finance. We work with colleagues across practice groups and jurisdictions on helping the world’s most successful companies fund themselves and manage risk.

Our work shapes market practice and our lawyers are involved in innovative, cutting edge and high-profile deals. We have advised on many industry ‘firsts’, including some of the most innovative transactions in sustainable finance and digital bonds. In recent years we have also advised clients on complex funding matters as they navigate difficult economic conditions and often act as a client’s first port of call in times of market crisis.

Role purpose

An opportunity has arisen for a Paralegal to join the GFM Practice Group in London or Belfast on a full time, permanent contract. The role will consist of providing support to the GFM Head of Know-How & Training and wider GFM Knowledge Lawyer team.

Role and responsibilities

• Perform the administrative tasks involved in establishing, updating and maintaining our online services including the client facing Prospectus Spotlight website, Transparency Spotlight website, MTN selling restrictions website, Covered Bond website and Liquidity Spotlight website
• Check submissions to the eLibrary/aohub/website
• Assist with the production of publications and podcasts for external clients
• Undertake legal and precedent research tasks
• Process changes to know-how resources and ensure they are profiled for search purposes, maintain knowledge collections and assist with the updating of standard form precedents
• Assist with the preparation of internal and external legal training materials
• Compile transaction experience lists for internal use and marketing purposes
• Respond to queries from fee-earners across the GFM practice worldwide
• Assist partners/associates in other practice groups on occasional tasks
• General paralegal duties and support for all GFM Knowledge Lawyers
• Support GFM Knowledge Lawyers on development and implementation of new IT applications / legal tech solutions, including support on the curation of benches of documents to be used with AI/legal tech tools

Key requirements

• Ability to multi-task and prioritise to meet deadlines as and when required
• Organised and methodical approach to work, with a high level of accuracy and excellent attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage with clients and colleagues at all levels.
• Good research and organisational skills
• Pro-active, solutions-oriented approach and ability to use initiative intelligently, including knowing when to seek advice
• Sound level of computer literacy (including Word and Excel)
• A team player, understanding of the need to adapt around others’ workloads
• Previous experience in a paralegal/legal professional role within a commercial law firm is desirable but not essential
• LPC or SQE qualifications are desirable but not essential

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

We recognise the value of flexible working and embraces hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do however remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Additional information - External

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.