Regulated Funds Paralegal

We are recruiting a Paralegal to join our Financial Services and Products group.

About Macfarlanes

Macfarlanes is a pre-eminent law firm that serves a global client base in private capital, private wealth, M&A and disputes. Personal connection, an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to excellence are at the heart of our firm. These values drive our ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.

We are big enough to undertake the most complex and demanding mandates yet small enough to know each other well and to be agile, adapting to the needs of our clients. We seek to strengthen the firm by recruiting talented people from all backgrounds who want to build long-lasting and impactful careers with us. Our culture is challenging and supportive, creating an environment where individuals can thrive.

What this means for you

Joining Macfarlanes means being part of a collaborative, Partner-led team where you’ll develop and learn from experienced lawyers and business professionals. Our size means you’ll be given genuine responsibility early on and often be involved at the heart of client matters, gaining insight into how our high-quality legal advice is developed and delivered to help clients overcome their most pressing issues.

You’ll work closely with senior colleagues who are approachable and who want you to succeed. You’ll be encouraged to get involved in client and business development activities, and you’ll be recognised for your contribution.

The majority of our work has a cross-border focus, so you’ll often collaborate with global clients and specialist advisers in overseas jurisdictions. You’ll build connections with international law firms, broaden your experience, and be part of a multidisciplinary team that comes together to achieve the best results.

We also place real importance on your development. Our training and mentoring programmes are second to none, and designed to help you strengthen your legal and commercial skills.

Above all, you’ll be part of a firm where we all work together as part of a cohesive and supportive team, where you’ll be recognised and appreciated, and encouraged to succeed.

Practice overview

Our Financial Services and Products group consists of three Partners, one Senior Counsel, one Senior Knowledge Lawyer, seven Senior Associates, six Associates, two Trainee Solicitors, one Paralegal and the Head of ESG. The team advise fund managers, advisers, other service providers and investors on a range of matters relating to their work and ongoing strategic issues.

The team have exceptional market knowledge and is responsible for providing extensive and finely tuned advice to their clients.  Many of their clients' projects bring together a number of disciplines; frequently drawing on the expertise of the firm’s banking and finance, commercial, corporate, employment, real estate and tax lawyers to provide a seamless service, however complex the work.

The role

The individual will predominantly focus on regulated funds and will provide additional general support across the group when required. In particular there may be opportunities to get involved in ESG advisory work. Key duties will include:

• assisting with all aspects of UK authorised funds, including establishment, changes, mergers, closures and ongoing queries;
• preparing FCA applications and notification forms;
• reviewing and processing amendments to key fund documentation, particularly distribution agreements;
• preparing investor circulars;
• regular contact with clients and the FCA;
• preparing ESG disclosures;
• supporting fee-earners with their day-to-day work; and
• assisting with ad hoc administrative tasks as and when required.

This job description encompasses the main duties of the role and is by no means exhaustive. It is anticipated that duties may vary from time to time according to the needs of the practice area.

The candidate

The right candidate will possess strong academic qualifications from A Levels and have a minimum 2:1 degree. Ideally the candidate will have worked as a paralegal at a law firm or asset manager for at least a year.

The individual will be self-motivated, organised, interested in, and committed to providing high quality technical legal support in a practical context to fee earners. Strong attention to detail is essential, along with excellent time management skills and a meticulous approach to work.

The candidate must take a pro-active stance, able to work independently following appropriate instruction or in a team and take responsibility for the work product delivered.
 

Paralegal development

Our learning curriculum is designed to equip our people with the broad range of skills and knowledge they need to develop and be effective in their roles. The curriculum includes sessions specifically aimed at paralegals, covering essential legal and business skills to support individuals at the start of their legal career.

We deliver training throughout the year in a range of different ways. This includes webinars, workshops, one-to-one skills support, mentoring and coaching. We support development opportunities in a variety of topics, including communication, presentation and drafting skills.

Routes to qualification

Paralegals looking to qualify as associates are encouraged to apply for our Training Programme. They can do so once they have completed six months’ employment, subject to certain conditions.

Some paralegals may prefer not to (or are unable to) undertake the Training Programme route for a variety of reasons, choosing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) route instead. The firm will offer study leave and exam leave for paralegals sitting the SQE, and will sign off QWE (that meets the SRA’s requirements) gained at Macfarlanes. Internal paralegals that have qualified in this way may be considered for NQ vacancies not filled by those qualifying through the firm’s Training Programme and where the firm is or may be looking to recruit externally providing they have completed at least one year of their QWE at Macfarlanes and passed both SQE 1 and SQE 2 on the first attempt.

Application screening

Any offer of employment with us is subject to our pre-employment checks which are conducted by a third-party screening provider. These may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, any criminal records and employment references. These checks will be initiated with your consent and your offer will be subject to the successful completion of these checks.

Our commitment to inclusion

Inclusion is one of our key priorities and it is a goal we are actively working towards. We believe that an inclusive, forward-thinking culture is intrinsically important and enables us to provide innovative solutions to our clients.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, bringing different perspectives and experiences, making Macfarlanes an exciting and stimulating place to work. We seek to recruit the best candidates, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation or any other characteristic.

As part of this commitment, we will ask you certain diversity data questions. We would really appreciate you and/or your recruiter completing these questions when submitting an application to Macfarlanes as this data enables us to measure our progress and identify any actions needed to continue to support an inclusive culture. This data is anonymised to maintain the privacy of applicants. If you have any questions relating to how this data is used, please contact a member of the recruitment team.

Should you require any adjustments during the application and/or interview process, please do not hesitate to inform your recruiter or a member of the recruitment team. Please note, the job description is available in other accessible formats (for example, large print).

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who best meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme, please email the recruitment team at recruitment@macfarlanes.com.

Key people

Lora Froud
Partner, Head of Regulated Funds

Lora advises clients on the structuring and operation of onshore and offshore investment funds, both regulated and unregulated, and also advises on all legal aspects of asset management. She specialises in regulated funds.

Her clients include operators, asset managers, depositaries and custodians of investment funds. Advice is wide ranging and incorporates restructurings and reorganisations, outsourcing and hosting arrangements, investment management agreements, depositary agreements and platform and distribution arrangements.

In addition she regularly assists clients with related EU and UK regulatory and compliance matters. She has particular experience in advising on the UCITS regime, the Retail Distribution Review, the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive, MiFID and PRIIPs.

Lora is on the Alternative Investment Management Association working groups in relation to UCITS, AIFMD and Liquid Alternatives and is on the IBA's Investment Funds Committee.

Lora is ranked as a leading individual in the retail funds space by The UK Legal 500, a leading legal directory.