Rodeo
Get started

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Paralegal - Employment

Reading
Posted 2 days ago
Sign up to applySee more jobs like this

How your CV stacks up

1Upload CV
2Analyse CV
3Improve CV

Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role

?%

Overview

The Penningtons Manches Cooper Employment Team provides fast, proactive and practical legal support. Approachable and commercially aware, our specialists have in-depth experience of the issues faced by businesses when managing their staff.

We are recognised as market leaders in advising on Employer, HR support and Senior Executive matters and claims in the Employment tribunal, High Court and appellate courts, with expertise across a range of issues including whistleblowing and discrimination claims.

The Employment Team is looking to recruit a paralegal, ideally with some previous experience, to be based in our Reading office. The role is focused on working with our existing team of Reading based Partners and Associates and fee earners across our other offices as needed.

Responsibilities

The work will have a focus on employer advice and senior executive matters.

The role will suit a confident and enthusiastic individual who has a genuine interest in these areas of the law.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following;

  • Supporting senior members of the team with fee earning
  • Undertake fee-earning work and providing a profitable contribution to the work of the team
  • Liaising with clients
  • Draft documents and advice letters
  • Carry out legal research
  • Keeping up to date with law changes
  • To be an ambassador for the firm at all times and always promote it in a positive light.

Reasons to use Rodeo

I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?

Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.

Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.

Start with a chat, not a search bar

Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.

P

Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme

PwC·London, UK
£35,000/yr

Why you're a good match

Strong

Your economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.

See breakdown
Save jobNot relevant
View details

It searches the market for you

Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.

Why you're a good match

You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.

See breakdown
Strong

Experience fit

Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.

See breakdown
Strong

Only hits

No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.

Essential & Desirable Criteria

Essential Criteria

  • Knowledge of employment legislation
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to manage a busy workload and excellent organisational skills
  • Ability to work both alone and collaboratively with other team members
  • Confidence in client facing communications
  • Attention to accuracy and detail
  • Collaborative team member with ability to quickly build relationships with a wide range of people
  • Flexible, pragmatic and problem-solving approach
  • Comfortable working under pressure with the ability to plan and prioritise work; appreciation of fee earner needs and constraints; commercial awareness.

Desirable Criteria

  • Previous paralegal experience
  • Previous experience of working in an Employment team

The firm operates a hybrid agile working policy allowing employees to work from home (or another UK location) up to 50% of their time. Individuals can also apply for other flexible working options either at the time of recruitment or during the course of their employment.

Get help with your application

Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.

Get help applying for this job

At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard. You can find out more about our firm’s commitment, initiatives and Pennclusion committees here.

We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background. We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long-term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity. If you would like to request an adjustment, please contact Niamh.Madden@penningtonslaw.com.

Trusted by 25,000+ job seekers

“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

Jessica, London

Get help applying for this job

Skills

Employment legislation
Legal research
Drafting documents
Client communication
Organizational skills
Time management
Problem-solving
Commercial awareness
Attention to detail
Collaboration

Location

Reading, England, United Kingdom

Sign up to applySee more jobs like this