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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide high-level secretarial support in a dynamic Private Client team.
- Company: Join a prestigious UK Top 50 law firm with a rich 160-year heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private healthcare, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive culture that values your growth and community impact.
- Qualifications: Strong admin skills, attention to detail, and a proactive attitude are essential.
- Other info: Ranked 5th best law firm to work at in 2024 by RollOnFriday.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Our client is a UK Top 50 law firm with a heritage spanning 160 years, employing more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals across various locations including Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich, and Sevenoaks. They advise businesses, government and public sector organisations, as well as individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: property, corporate services, litigation, and private client advisory.
The department currently comprises over 50 specialist lawyers, including eleven partners, making it one of the largest Private Client Advisory teams in the East of England. The team acts as trusted advisers to individuals, families, trustees, family or owner-run businesses, and trust companies both in the UK and internationally.
Purpose of job
You will work in the Private Client team to provide professional, pro-active, high-level secretarial support on a broad range of issues relating to estates and private property, tax, and planning. You will work with an allocated fee earner or group of fee earners as well as supporting the wider fee-earning team.
The team covers:
- Will drafting
- Succession planning
- Tax efficient lifetime giving
- Disputed Wills
- Creation, administration, and termination of trusts
- Advice to Trustees and Beneficiaries
- Trust Taxation
- Offshore trusts
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Administration of Estates
Accountabilities
Technical ability:
- To produce and amend documents with speed and accuracy
- To format, paginate, number, and present documents
- To proofread all work, checking for spelling and grammar
- To be a user of key software packages and take responsibility for any training needs to improve relevant skills needed to meet the needs of the business
- To proactively work with the fee earners to ensure relevant documentation is produced to meet clients’ expectations and deadlines
Administrative skills:
- Manage diaries of allocated fee earners in Microsoft Outlook
- Familiarity with the creation and management of datarooms and file management processes
- Making appointments
- Arranging meetings/conferences
- Sending and responding to invites
- Process expense claims, payment requisition forms
- To process all forms including new client form, new matter form, money laundering form, training course booking forms etc.
- To ensure that all electronic filing and paper-based filing is up to date and maintained at regular intervals
- To carry out photocopying and scanning as required
Professional Skills:
- To immediately clarify instructions from fee earners should they be unclear or if deadlines are not made explicit
- To respond to internal and external telephone enquiries politely and professionally and take accurate telephone messages (name/number/company), passing them on to the relevant fee earners etc.
- To proactively support other members of the secretarial team and to provide cover as and when necessary to ensure that work is completed to a high standard and meets the required deadlines
- To provide full support to fee earners in the full range of activities that are performed and to carry out any other duties as reasonably requested
General Approach:
- To show a positive approach and interest in the work that your fee earners are undertaking
- Show initiative when responding to queries and actively try to seek solutions to problems
- To support your fee earners when clients are demanding the work product to be delivered
- To support and build working relationships with your own fee earners as well as other members of the team and to actively work for the interests of the whole team
- To support and build working relationships with your colleagues in the secretarial team and to actively get involved in working activities within the team
The candidate
You will have the ability to contribute at an operational level, with excellent communication skills and can demonstrate general skills in:
- Strong administration experience
- Positive, enthusiastic, and professional approach
- Strong attention to detail, high-level organisational skills, and reliability
- Self-motivated with an ability to use own initiative with a desire to learn
- A desire to share new processes to support the wider team
Skills
- Excellent spelling and punctuation
- Excellent written and verbal communications
- Ability to use discretion
- Excellent IT skills, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
- Positive and enthusiastic approach to teamwork
- Good telephone manner
- Adaptable and flexible
- Self-motivated, ability to use initiative and provide pro-active support to fee-earners
- Ability to pay attention to detail and check own work
- Reliable and well organised
- Ability to remain calm and work under pressure to meet strict deadlines
- Commitment to ongoing learning and development
Benefits
- 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays rising with service
- Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
- Private Healthcare – BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
- Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
- Staff Profit Share / Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
- Life Assurance – 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
- Paid ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) day
- Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Season Ticket Loan
- Gym Flex membership
- Electric car scheme
- Dress for your Day Policy
- Agile Working Policy
Legal Secretary – UK Top 50 Law Firm employer: Recruitment Avenue
Contact Detail:
Recruitment Avenue Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Secretary – UK Top 50 Law Firm
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific legal terminology and processes related to private client advisory work. Understanding terms like 'trusts', 'wills', and 'succession planning' will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the legal field, especially those working in private client services. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the firm's culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the firm’s recent cases or initiatives, particularly in their Private Client Advisory team. Being able to discuss these during your interview will show that you are proactive and have a keen interest in their work.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to showcase your organisational skills by discussing past experiences where you managed multiple tasks or deadlines effectively. This is crucial for a Legal Secretary role, so having concrete examples ready will set you apart.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Secretary – UK Top 50 Law Firm
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. Emphasise your administrative skills, attention to detail, and any legal experience you may have.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm for the role and the firm. Mention specific aspects of the job that excite you and how your background makes you a great fit for their Private Client team.
Highlight Technical Skills: In your application, clearly outline your proficiency in key software packages like Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel. Provide examples of how you've used these tools effectively in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, thoroughly proofread your application for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a Legal Secretary position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Recruitment Avenue
✨Research the Firm
Before your interview, take some time to research the law firm thoroughly. Understand their history, values, and the specific practice areas they focus on, especially in Private Client Advisory. This will help you tailor your answers and show genuine interest in the firm.
✨Demonstrate Your Administrative Skills
Be prepared to discuss your previous administrative experience in detail. Highlight your proficiency with software like Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, and provide examples of how you've managed diaries, organised meetings, or handled documentation efficiently.
✨Showcase Attention to Detail
As a Legal Secretary, attention to detail is crucial. During the interview, mention specific instances where your meticulous nature has helped avoid errors or improved processes. You might even want to bring a sample of your work to demonstrate your skills in document formatting and proofreading.
✨Exhibit a Team Player Attitude
The firm values a collegiate culture, so it's important to convey your ability to work well within a team. Share examples of how you've supported colleagues in the past, resolved conflicts, or contributed to a positive team environment, showing that you're ready to collaborate effectively.
