Paralegal Life at IDR Law
The paralegals at IDR Law are a crucial part of our team structure. With clear career pathways across the practice, they are the learning ground and where our team leaders of the future earn their stripes and learn the subtle art of contentious probate. As we look to attract our next few paralegals, we’ve taken the opportunity to speak with all of our current junior team and asked them a few questions about their own experiences at IDR Law. All the answers are their own!
What is the role of a Paralegal?
The role of a paralegal can differ between firms, but, generally, paralegals assist solicitors in running their cases, write reports on cases, research legal articles, respond to telephone and email enquiries, write letters, and create and organise case files. Paralegals play a really important role and are an integral part of law firms.
What’s the role of a Paralegal like in IDR Law?
At IDR Law, we’re specialists contentious probate – it’s all we do! Therefore, all our paralegals train as specialists too. You need to be special kind of person to work at IDR Law, as we deal in disputes between families, so compassion and understanding are a must.
Paralegals in IDR Law get lots of exposure to cases and clients from day one and get a lot of opportunity to become involved in different cases. Our paralegals sometimes run their own cases under supervision of a solicitor, so learn to manage a full case load.
Our paralegals have a hands-on and client-facing role in the firm, assisting in all aspects of a case, e.g., preparing the retainers, liaising with clients, preparing documents and resolution of cases.
What’s a typical day like for a Paralegal at IDR Law?
Senior Paralegal, Chloe Healeas, comments: “My typical day involves speaking with clients, drafting correspondence, assessing claims, investigating evidence/documents etc. No two days are the same, which I enjoy. At IDR we have the benefit of being able to work in a way which works for us (not everyone can work in the same way and Martin appreciates this, which is important – and is one thing I love about IDR Law – never any judgement and we all have a mutual goal to do the best job we can for our clients). I generally manage my own time and workload depending on what needs doing and where we are at with cases and monitoring. I am also here to assist the solicitors if anything urgent needs doing or picking up. I also assist with enquiries from potential clients, provide initial advice on whether we can assist and, if so, our fee estimates and proposals in respect of that.”
As a Paralegal at IDR Law, who would you work alongside?
IDR Law is organised into teams, so everyone has someone they can easily go to for support.
Paralegal Ellie Falkingham comments: “Kate Saunders is the solicitor in my team – I assist on all of her active cases and she is my main point of supervision. I also work for solicitors in other teams depending on how busy they are. Kate Wootton and Chloe also are massively helpful, and we spend a lot of time discussing enquiries and cases, etc. The team is amazing, and it is really nice to genuinely get on with everyone you work with and feel like you can go to anyone if you have a question or need some help. It is nice that Martin trusts us all to do our jobs and do our jobs well – you don’t ever feel scrutinised in a negative way and any feedback is always constructive, which I think has been really important especially when there is so much to learn.”
How are Paralegals supported at IDR Law?
We asked three of our paralegals if they feel supported at IDR Law and their reply was a resounding, ‘yes’!
Ellie comments: “Absolutely, I think the system of teams works really well to ensure this”
Chloe comments: “100% – I don’t think I could feel any more supported. The team here are amazing and you can tell instantly that you are surrounded by specialists who want you to be as good as them at what they do!”
Kate Wootton, Trainee Solicitor, comments: “Always. I feel supported in our smaller team, as I know that Richard and Louisa are always on hand to help me with my cases and ultimately teach me! Equally, I know that other team members will always take the time to help me/each other and I always feel comfortable speaking with the whole team.”
Is being a paralegal a good route to qualify as a solicitor?
At IDR Law we have a paralegal programme in place to support all our paralegals who wish to qualify as solicitors.
Chloe comments: “I finished my Law Degree and started at IDR whilst doing my LPC and Master’s degree part-time (on weekends). It’s a great option for someone wanting to qualify. You gain invaluable experience (and earn) whilst studying and each go hand in hand so win-win.”
Kate comments: “Although it may not be the traditional route, it gives you an opportunity and the time to make sure that it is a route that you would like to follow. It’s great experience and a good insight to life as a solicitor.”
IDR Law are now recruiting at least one new paralegal for a full-time position starting August/September 2021
If you are (or are about to be) a law post-graduate, and have a determined, enthusiastic and compassionate nature then we want to hear from you – send your CV with a short covering paragraph telling us about your best and worst experience in lockdown to [email protected]
IDR Law is an approachable, boutique firm and the only one in the country dealing solely with inheritance dispute resolution. If you’re a law firm, or an individual who feels they would benefit from our expertise, get in touch here, email us at [email protected] or call on 01423 637050.