Paralegal - Banking & Real Estate Finance

The role

We are seeking a paralegal with previous experience to join the real estate arm of our Banking & Real Estate Finance team. Your work will focus on instructions from banks, lenders and loan funders that form the core of the team’s client base, offering a turnkey operation which enhances the attractiveness to lender clients of the team's overall service proposition.

The role, which involves day-to-day contact with and advising of clients, as part of a collegiate team environment where people work together to deliver outstanding client service, reports to a senior lawyer in the real estate side of the team.

Ideally you will have had exposure to real estate transactions and/or property finance transactions and will be organised, self-motivated and committed to delivering quality work for clients within tight deadlines and with a high attention to detail.

This opportunity will allow you to develop and grow your legal expertise and case management skills, and you will also be encouraged to develop your business development and marketing skills.

Role responsibility

• Implementing on each new lending instruction the formal team protocol to deliver as far as is possible a turnkey service.
• Following appropriate training and supervision, having day to day conduct (subject to associate supervision) and responsibility for secured loan instructions from banks and lenders from instruction to completion.
• Overseeing post-completion registration and other formalities.
• Dealing with loan redemptions, discharges of whole and parts of securities, loan tranche releases and further advances.
• Correspondence with clients and transaction management.
• Supporting senior members of the team with adhoc tasks, reporting and dealing with data room administration on larger transactions.

About you

Ideally you will be able to demonstrate:

• Exposure to real estate or financing matters in the past.
• Ability to operate in a high-performing environment with a significant amount of client contact.
• Understanding of Land Registry and Companies House
• An ability to learn and to have a go at dealing with client queries.
• Excellent interpersonal skills - with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and clients at all levels.
• The ability to work with others effectively and a good team player
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise and perform in a high volume, deadline-orientated role.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• An understanding of the importance of excellent client service. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and some understanding of case management software.
• Time recording skills, strong administration skills to keep your files tidy, financially hygienic and organised, with Title Indemnity premiums and billing completed in a timely manner.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual holiday
• Permanent Health Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Interest free Season Ticket Loan
• Private Healthcare
• Pension Scheme
• Staff Introductory Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

About us

With almost 200 lawyers in one location, we ensure our clients have the right team to help them get from where they are to where they want to be. We advise major corporates and institutions as well as entrepreneurial, ambitious enterprises which are often privately or family owned, or private equity backed. As well as our significant business law capability, we are one of only a few London-based law firms with a large private wealth offering. Our clients find our straightforward approach a compelling alternative to larger, less personal firms.

Whether you are an ambitious and talented individual wanting to hit the ground running from day one, or an established professional looking for a new opportunity, Howard Kennedy is the firm where you can really make it happen.

We have earned a strong reputation for our exceptional and uniquely talented people who between them deliver outstanding results for clients. In a firm of our size, our strong team dynamic creates a thriving culture of creativity and entrepreneurialism. Howard Kennedy is a pragmatic and non-hierarchical environment where success is shared, and you are proactively encouraged to thrive at your own pace.

Our distinctive culture is built on fairness and respect. Guided by the firm’s values of talk straight, think smart and be yourself, everyone in the firm holds equal value, and everyone plays their role in supporting, encouraging and inspiring colleagues to do their best work.

At the same time, we recognise and reward individualism, celebrating the diversity of our people and supporting them to grow their practice and drive their own career advancement.

As well as client work, there is opportunity to broaden your horizons at the firm with fulfilling pro bono and charity projects. We have a regular social calendar full of wellbeing activities, charitable and social events too.