Careers with Keats Family Law

Vacancies

Keats Family Law are currently recruiting for a Legal Assistant or Paralegal to support our Director & Specialist Solicitor, Gemma Keats. Please see our application process below.

We are also always open to hearing from individuals who share our ethos and values looking to volunteer; gain work experience and/or wishing to express interest in working with us on a speculative basis for other roles provided you approach us in a way aligned to our professional requirements and aligned with our ethics.

Volunteering and Gaining Work Experience with us

If you are a school or college student, or seek a shadowing position only, please contact us by email on: gemma@keatsfamilylaw.co.uk with your CV, and a cover email or emailed letter, setting out your requirements and availability. For all other work experience and volunteering opportunities, please see the general application process requirements below.

Please note that during the academic year 2025/2026 we are only able to offer ad hoc days/part days during the week and/or at weekends during term time in accordance with Buckinghamshire County Council’s school year for students and unqualified individuals and we are unable to accommodate full week blocks.

Applications

If you wish to express interest in working with us regarding an advertised role or on a speculative basis, please email us with your CV and a covering email or emailed letter on: gemma@keatsfamilylaw.co.uk with the email subject header titled ‘APPLICATION by [your name] for [specified role title] and with the email/letter setting out: the role you are ideally seeking and/or would be open to; why you would like to work with us; including an example evidencing a work or personal experience you have undertaken in line with what you think our core values are; and including an example of a work or personal experience showing your suitability of working in the role you are seeking. Please also include details of your commitment to your personal training and development goals and what support you seek.

Minimum requirements:

Minimum requirements for anyone seeking a role with us in any capacity whether as a Legal Assistant, Paralegal, Newly Qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive, or other similar or more experienced role, are as follows:

All roles within a regulated law firm require detailed, accurate and timely administration of client correspondence and appointment and file records reflecting the case, legal and related Court duties and Solicitor Regulation Authority requirements. Familiarity with the overall requirements for each is essential.

General requirements:

• Strong academic background in law, or a strong academic background in a related subject area related to and/or with experience in a position of responsibility, compliance and confidentiality requirements where you are seeking a transition into the legal profession.
• Legal experience in family law is desirable.
• Work experience in a law firm, office or similar environment is essential.
• Excellent IT skills and experience of Microsoft Office is essential.
• Experience of case management systems and the HMCTS and linked legal online platforms and research platforms is desirable.
• Experience, or understanding, of trauma-informed practice and neuro-affirmative and inclusive practice is advantageous.

Suitability:

You will have:

• A professional and proactive approach and strong work ethic with excellent planning and organisation skills and the ability to adapt and work under pressure.
• Sensitive, empathetic understanding of other individual’s needs with a solution-focused approach.
• Excellent written and oral communication, attention to detail and time management.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Proven understanding of confidentiality, responsibility and legal practice.
• Ability to use initiative and know when to seek guidance.
• Demonstrable passion for family law is essential.
• Commitment to fairness, integrity, legal excellence and working towards improving working practices to better suit the modern workings of family law and reduce the related trauma surrounding separation and the legal processes around it, and better suit the individuals and families involved is essential.

Availability:

We operate flexibly, currently primarily based in our home based office environment with attendance at our meeting office as required. Hybrid and home working available subject to suitability and experience.

Agencies:

While we welcome recommendations from our connections, we prefer the individuals who seeks to collaborate and work with and for us to approach us themselves (and/or with those recommending providing details separately) and we therefore do not accept approaches from agencies.

Response to enquiries:

We are not able to respond to every enquiry we receive.

If you submit an application to us your details will be considered and held where you will be contacted if a suitable role arises if you meet the requirements on the information provided. If you do not seek for your information to be held, or you have sent a previous application and no longer seek for it to be held, please let us know