Paralegal

We are seeking a Paralegal to join the Engagement Terms Team (the ETT), within the Business Acceptance Unit (BAU) on a fixed-term contract, until the end of April 2026. The role of the BAU is to review and advise Partners on client terms of engagement (including Outside Counsel Guidelines), as well as amendments to A&O Shearman standard terms of engagement.

What you will do

This role requires being a proactive member of the team with a general responsibility for providing administrative support to the ETT Legal Team, as well as providing support to other members of the BAU and the business more widely with engagement terms queries, responsibilities will also include:

• Reporting to the Team Lead and supporting her and the and other In-House Lawyers (Terms/OCGs) in their reviews of client's Outside Counsel Guidelines (OCG) and A&O own form Engagement Terms (Terms).
• Supporting the Team Lead with some PA duties such as setting meetings, calendar maintenance and inbox management.
• Managing the workload tracker for the team on a daily basis, maintaining a record of the team's reviews and attending weekly meetings with the Team Lead to ensure this is kept up-to-date.
• Managing the ETT calendar through organising meetings, booking office spaces when required and updating an annual leave calendar for the Team Lead when required to manage absence requests.
• Assisting the Team Lead with research and detail orientated projects, managing communications across various A&O offices across the globe, maintaining progress trackers, taking ownership of all the administrative duties related to a project and taking care with the presentation of any documents.
• Being flexible in undertaking your responsibilities and any others as required, for example in providing support to the ETT Paralegal team when so required in relation to other aspects of the ETT's role.

What we're looking for

Previous experience working in an legal administrative role is preferred but not essential. Strong organisational skills are essential. Good time management skills with the ability to prioritise and manage deadlines. Proven IT skills and basic Excel and Word proficiency is essential.

What we can offer you

At A&O Shearman, 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, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services including GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, online discounts and lifestyle management services.

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 the value of flexible working and embrace 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.

Please note this role is based in the A&O Shearman Belfast office, with an onsite presence required in line with our hybrid working policy.

If this role is not of interest we may have another suitable opportunity here for you at A&O Shearman! Visit our careers portal at A&O Shearman Careers and submit your CV to our Talent Network to be notified when the perfect opportunity becomes available.