At a Glance
- Tasks: Support top lawyers by managing documents, client relations, and administrative tasks.
- Company: Join Owen Reed, a leading law firm in Kent with a vibrant corporate team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting growth phase in a dynamic legal environment.
- Qualifications: Strong admin skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in Microsoft Office required.
- Other info: Ideal for self-motivated individuals eager to learn and succeed.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Owen Reed is looking to recruit a Legal Secretary for a top law firm in Kent. Our vibrant, energetic Corporate team boasts some of the best lawyers in the region specialising in all aspects of corporate law covering a wide variety of corporate transactions including M&A, private equity, reorganisations, company restructures and general corporate governance matters. The team currently comprises over 60 specialist qualified corporate law solicitors, including 15 partners, making us one of the largest Corporate teams in the East of England. The department in Sevenoaks is going through an exciting period of growth and the new Secretary will be part of this journey.
Purpose of job
- Proactively working with fee earners to ensure relevant documentation is produced to meet clients’ expectations and deadlines.
- To amend documentation and paperwork in relation to transactions and work undertaken by the fee earners.
- To produce, format and present documents in our firm house style.
- Proof read all work, checking for spelling and grammar.
- Understand a variety of software packages such as Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel, to produce correspondence, documents and ensure relevant documentation is produced to a high standard to meet clients’ and fee earners’ expectations and deadlines.
- Manage diaries of allocated fee earners in Microsoft Outlook.
- Dealing with client and file inception through our firms client matter management database and software.
- Accurately maintain and update client and other relevant contact details on our client database including AML requirements and other client on-boarding information.
- Manage and maintain on behalf of allocated fee earners our client relationship management database.
- Ensure that all electronic filing is up to date and maintained at regular intervals.
- Respond to internal and external telephone enquiries professionally.
- Provide financial administrative support ensuring compliance with legal, firm wide and practice group specific policies and procedures.
- Keeping accurate and up to date records of all debt, ensuring that items are followed up and escalated to the central credit control officer at the appropriate point in time and keeping the team leader up to date with any potential issues with clients’ ability to settle bills.
- Carry out photocopying and scanning in accordance with the firm’s paper-lite and clear desk policies.
- Ability to communicate with a wide variety of different people from privately owned businesses to private equity and venture capital organisations.
- Show initiative when responding to queries and actively try to seek solutions to problems.
- Assist in maintaining compliant and accurate file management and office systems.
- 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.
- Clarify instructions from fee earners should they be unclear or if deadlines are not made explicit.
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.
- Ability to work independently and prioritise work streams.
- Methodical approach to work and management of fee earners and team projects.
- Strong attention to detail, high level organisational skills and reliable.
- Self-motivated with an ability to use own initiative with a desire to learn.
- 50+ wpm typing speed.
- Solid understanding of key IT packages to include Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
- A team player with a desire to succeed and grow.
- Excellent spelling and punctuation.
Contact Detail:
Owen Reed Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Secretary
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific software mentioned in the job description, such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel. Being proficient in these tools will not only help you perform well in the role but also demonstrate your readiness to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your organisational skills by preparing a mock diary management system. This could involve creating a sample schedule for a fee earner, highlighting how you would prioritise tasks and manage deadlines effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the law firm’s recent corporate transactions or notable cases. Being knowledgeable about their work will allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and show your genuine interest in the firm.
✨Tip Number 4
Practice your typing speed to ensure you can meet the required 50+ wpm. You might even want to take a typing test online to track your progress and be ready to demonstrate this skill if asked.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Secretary
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in legal administration and showcases your strong organisational skills. Emphasise your proficiency with software like Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel, as these are crucial for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the position and the firm. Mention specific aspects of the job description that resonate with you, such as your ability to manage diaries and produce high-quality documentation.
Showcase Attention to Detail: Since the role requires a high level of accuracy, ensure that your application is free from spelling and grammatical errors. Proofread your documents multiple times and consider asking someone else to review them as well.
Highlight Communication Skills: Demonstrate your excellent communication skills in both your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you've effectively interacted with clients or colleagues in previous roles, as this is essential for the Legal Secretary position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Owen Reed
✨Showcase Your Administrative Skills
Be prepared to discuss your previous administrative experience in detail. Highlight specific examples where you successfully managed documentation, maintained records, or supported a team, as these are crucial for the role of a Legal Secretary.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Since the job requires high accuracy in documentation and proofreading, be ready to provide examples of how you've ensured quality in your work. You might even want to bring a sample of your work that showcases your attention to detail.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Software
Make sure you have a solid understanding of Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel. During the interview, you may be asked about your proficiency with these tools, so consider preparing some examples of how you've used them effectively in past roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle multiple tasks. Think of scenarios where you had to prioritise tasks or clarify instructions from colleagues, and be ready to explain how you approached those situations.