Paralegal-Trainee Solicitor

At Gensler, we design for people. We leverage our global perspective and local presence to innovate at every scale. We’re not just designers. We’re tinkerers, craftspeople, visionaries, innovators, and thought leaders. Fueled by passion and entrepreneurial spirit, our people bring new ideas to solve the world’s most challenging problems, like designing a more resilient, inclusive, and equitable future for our communities and cities.

Our people-centered, “People First” culture and “One Firm-Firm” motto promotes integrated teams that unite to shape the future of cities.  Gensler’s vision is to “Create a Better World through the Power of Design,” and we do that by our deep commitment to our clients and by fostering a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive environment that enables our people to create impactful solutions together.

Your Role

The Paralegal is part of our global Legal Studio and reports to the International Team, which is led by the Senior International Counsel in London. The position is located in our London office and primarily serves offices throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Greater China, while providing broad support to all Gensler offices globally when assistance is required. The Paralegal is responsible for supporting the team with contract reviews, legal project management, administrative support and responding to compliance queries. The Paralegal will also have the opportunity to assist with corporate strategy, delivering training, and formulating other ad hoc advice to the business.

This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for an individual looking to develop their legal experience in a large international organisation, with a passion for understanding the business of design and a desire to work with creative leaders, to become part of the Gensler community. This is not a conventional, back-office, black-letter legal role; at Gensler you will have exposure to the front-line of business operations, often dealing with our employees and our most valued clients. You will also have the opportunity to partner with other leaders to navigate opportunities and challenges in an ever-complex world. We are not just looking for an extremely talented legal professional, we need someone with the ability to help the Legal Studio build and maintain the business and to spot opportunities for Gensler to realize its commitment to improve our world through the power of design.  

For the avoidance of any doubt, we do not consider this opportunity to be a “stop-gap” for post-law school students, we are looking for those individuals that are excited to carry out an atypical paralegal role and integrate into the Gensler community. If successful in the Paralegal role, you will have the opportunity of securing an exciting in-house training contract at Gensler and as part of that spend six months at a law firm in a contentious seat.

What You Will Do

• Review non-disclosure agreements and basic service agreements in the context of design, architecture, and related professional services.

• Assist with the development and delivery of legal training materials.

• Assist Corporate and Compliance counsel, as needed, with respect to regional compliance requirements.

• Assist the Legal counsels, as needed, on day-to-day tasks.

• Engage and collaborate with the larger Legal Studio on a range of topics, including sustainability efforts and initiatives.

• Conduct legal research on a range of topics inside and outside of the design & construction world.

• Work across several time-zones to support the International Team as well as some of our US offices with various administrative and legal tasks.

• Network and build valuable relationships internally and externally.

• Support Gensler’s sustainability goals. Especially on topics relevant to your day-to-day duties.

Your Qualifications

• Qualifying law degree plus completed Legal Practice Course is essential.

• Technical fluency in the English language required, business oral and written German strongly desired.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to tailor communication style to diverse audiences and creatively resolve issues.

• Administrative self-sufficiency.

• Ability to quickly learn systems, processes, and procedures

• Basic understanding of sustainable design and operations is preferred.

Life at Gensler

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical and dental insurance, season ticket loans, pension, and twice annual bonus opportunities.

As part of the firm’s commitment to professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional qualifications and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programmes or classes. We view our professional development programmes as strategic investments in our future.

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