Paralegal

About TEAM LEWIS

We are a global marketing agency that has gone from start-up to multi-national in little over two decades. Our success is due to a combination of factors. Talented people delivering award-winning campaigns. Expanding client relationships into new markets or services. Making strategic acquisitions. TEAM LEWIS has won prestigious awards, including Cannes Lions, PRovoke Media, ICCO, European Excellence, PRCA Digital, Digital Impact, Global Digital Excellence.

At the heart of the business is TEAM LEWIS Foundation. In January 2021, there was a need to respond to the challenges the COVID pandemic brought to communities and charitable organisations. TEAM LEWIS saw that support was crucial and change was needed to make that happen. Our local causes scheme was launched. Every member of TEAM LEWIS can nominate a local cause close to their heart to receive a cash donation. In addition, nominated causes can also benefit from a donation in kind of expertise, time, and resources. In the past year TEAM LEWIS has donated almost $2million to 445 causes around the world.

You can read more about TEAM LEWIS Foundation at https://www.teamlewis.com/impact/.

About this role

We are looking for a commercially minded Paralegal to join our legal team and support the Legal Counsel in APAC and the Head of Legal as necessary.

The role will focus predominantly on supporting the review and conclusion of client-related and supplier contracts. This will include preparing documents using approved templates, coordinating the contract process from intake to signature, and ensuring contracts are accurately tracked, filed and maintained. You will also help identify and suggest efficiencies within the current contract approval framework.

Throughout the role, you will apply a commercial mindset when supporting the management of legal risks and business requirements. You will identify and escalate non-standard contractual terms and higher-risk matters to the Legal Counsel as appropriate.

You will support internal stakeholders at TEAM LEWIS, including account servicing, creative, new business, finance, HR and marketing teams, and liaise with external parties, including clients, suppliers and service providers, to progress contracting requirements. The role is regional in scope, with some support also required for the broader legal team.

This role will suit an ambitious professional who relishes the chance to help grow something, thrives on challenges and works well in a fast-paced, international environment. With a strong collaborative spirit, you understand how to apply this attitude to a growing global organisation.

Responsibilities/tasks

Contract review and support

• Support the end-to-end contracting process for client, supplier and other commercial contracts across APAC, and provide support in the UK and EMEA where needed. This includes preparing documents using approved templates, coordinating reviews, consolidating comments, tracking versions, and progressing approvals and signatures.

• Review contracts for completeness, identify non-standard terms and potential contractual issues, and escalate these to the Legal Counsel as appropriate.

• Maintain and improve contracting tools and ways of working, including templates, guidance, checklists and trackers, while helping to promote contracting best practices across TEAM LEWIS.

• Work closely with finance and account servicing teams to ensure that key contractual and commercial information required for billing is accurately recorded, including fees, payment terms, contract periods and purchase order requirements.

• Maintain an effective contract management system, including accurate filing, document naming, metadata, contract status, and renewal and notice dates.

• Support the Legal Counsel and finance team with the administration of debt recovery and dispute matters, including compiling documents, maintaining trackers, monitoring deadlines and coordinating correspondence.

• Support the broader legal team with legal administration, document management and other related tasks as required.

Skills

Contracting and legal support skills:

• Good commercial contracting support skills, with experience reviewing contracts, preparing documents using approved templates and supporting contract review processes.

• Ability to identify non-standard contractual terms and escalate legal or commercial risks appropriately.

• Strong document management, record-keeping and version-control skills.

• Experience maintaining contract trackers or contract management systems.

• Ability to conduct basic legal research and prepare clear summaries under the direction of the legal team.

Commercial and operational skills:

• Commercially minded, with an understanding of how contracting requirements support wider business objectives.

• Ability to follow established processes while identifying practical opportunities to improve contract workflows and systems.

• Good written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong attention to detail, with good analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and progress multiple contracts or matters within agreed deadlines.

Other skills:

• A collaborative team player who can build effective working relationships with internal stakeholders and external parties.

• Good time-management and organisational skills.

• Sound judgement and the ability to work within delegated authority, escalating matters where appropriate.

• Professional discretion and the ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.

• A proactive approach to learning and continuous improvement.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of systems, practices and policies that support our company culture.

• Perform ad hoc duties as required.

About you

This role is expected to have the following qualifications, knowledge and experience:

• A diploma or degree in law, legal studies, paralegal studies or another relevant discipline.

• At least two (2) years relevant experience as a Paralegal or in a similar legal support or contract administration role, preferably within an in-house legal team or commercial environment.

• Experience supporting the review and administration of commercial contracts, particularly client and supplier agreements.

• Experience working with approved contract templates, internal approval processes and contract management systems.

• Comfortable working with Microsoft Word, Excel and other document or information management systems.

• Experience working across different countries, offices or time zones would be advantageous.

• Experience in the public relations, media, communications or technology sectors would be advantageous but is not essential.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the responsibilities for this role. Other responsibilities may be added from time to time.

TEAM LEWIS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating and fostering an environment focused on equality, empowerment, and respect. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that supports and celebrates our diversity. We continue to invest in our efforts to ensure that TEAM LEWIS is a place where everyone can thrive.