We’re a national law firm with a local reach. Our philosophy is ‘Expert Hand, Human Touch’ – something you’ll find in the way we work with our clients and how we support our teams. But we’re more than just a law firm – we’re a team of people working together to help individuals and businesses navigate life’s ups and downs. Working here you’ll feel a part of our friendly and inclusive environment.

We’ll value you for who you are and what you bring. We support each other and push boundaries to achieve incredible things and make a real difference to our clients and communities.

We’re always looking to support our colleagues in working in a way that best works for them. Please speak to one of our Talent Acquisition Team to find out more information about our flexible working arrangements.

We are looking for a Paralegal to join our Public Law & Human Rights Team in Bristol.

We currently have a paralegal opportunity within the Public Law and Human Rights Department in our Bristol office to undertake casework and support on a range of public law and human rights cases.

The team undertake a range of work in the areas of civil liberties (including actions against the police and inquests) mental capacity and Court of Protection welfare disputes and education. Our lawyers are experts in their field.

Our Public Law and Human Rights department is ranked as a leader in a range of fields in both the Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 directories. Many of our solicitors are ranked individually.

We are instructed in interesting and often high profile, cutting-edge cases. We have forged a national reputation for our work on test cases. We have a national reach, with public law teams in ten offices across the country.

We hold Legal Aid Agency contracts in public law, community care and claims against public authorities and are also instructed by privately funded individuals, professional associations and institutions including national and local charities and other voluntary organisations. We work closely with our colleagues and teams in Irwin Mitchell to provide a holistic service to our clients.

Paralegal or public law/human rights experience, particularly within the above areas or other areas of law, would be an advantage, although this is not essential. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in the areas of work referred to above. 

Successful candidates will have excellent client care skills and a sensitive and sympathetic understanding of clients’ needs. As a firm we are committed to protecting clients’ rights and the successful candidate should also have good communication skills in order to be able to work effectively with a range of people. 

Candidates will also be expected to have excellent analytical and organisational skills, be committed to teamwork, take a thorough approach to documenting their work, be IT literate, attentive to detail, and have the ability to use their own initiative. A working knowledge of legal aid systems is also desirable. This position would suit well-motivated individuals with intelligence, ambition, lateral thinking skills and sound judgment. You must hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent.

If you thrive on being busy and can adapt well to new challenges then we will give you all the training and support you’ll need to help you succeed in this highly rewarding role. 

If this sounds like you, we’d love to receive your application.

• Flexible working options - Make work fit around your life, not the other way around.
• 25 days holidays as standard plus bank holidays - You can ‘buy’ up to 35hrs of extra holiday too
• Generous and flexible pension schemes.
• Volunteering days – Two days of volunteering every year for a cause of your choice (fully paid)
• Westfield Health membership, offering refunds on medical services alongside our Aviva Digital GP services.

We also offer a wide range of well-being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace and to make sure you’re fully supported to work in a way that best suits you.  This includes our Flexible by Choice programme which gives our colleagues more choice over how they wish to work subject to role and client requirements.

We have recently been ranked in the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing for Large Organisations for 2023! 

Our responsible business programmes are fundamental to who we are and our purpose. We’re committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where our colleagues can flourish, and we have established a number of inclusion network groups across our business to support this aim.  

Our commitment to Social Responsibility, community investment activity and tackling climate change is a fundamental part of who we are. It’s made up of four strands: Our People, Our Community, Our Environment and Our Pro Bono. 

As part of the Irwin Mitchell Group’s on-boarding process all successful applicants are required to complete the group’s employment screening process. This process helps to ensure that all new employees meet our standards in relation to honesty and integrity therefore protecting the interests of the Group, existing employees, clients, partners and other stakeholders.

Depending on the role you apply for we may carry out checks that will establish your eligibility to work in the UK, and criminal record check and financial checks ­with a credit reference agency will also be undertaken.

The employment screening process will fully comply with Data Protection and other applicable laws.

Irwin Mitchell LLP is an equal opportunity employer.