At a Glance
- Tasks: Support high-value legal projects and develop essential project management skills.
- Company: Join one of the UK's leading law firms with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, exposure across divisions, and support for your professional growth.
- Other info: Enjoy a hybrid working model and be part of a supportive team focused on your development.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in legal project management with real responsibility from day one.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and a proactive attitude; legal or project coordination experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
This is a genuine opportunity to build a career in legal project management at one of the UK's leading law firms. You will join a close-knit, experienced team and be given real responsibility from day one, supporting on high-value, complex matters while developing the skills and confidence to run your own matters over time.
The Legal Project Management (LPM) team plays a central role in how we deliver legal services - working alongside lawyers to manage complex matters effectively, improve transparency, and create a better experience for our clients. The team is led by a Head of Legal Project Management and currently comprises three Senior Legal Project Managers and one Legal Project Manager, each supporting one of the firm's four divisions. This role is a new addition to the team, created to build capacity, broaden the team's reach, and develop the next generation of legal project management talent at Charles Russell Speechlys.
The role is structured as a float, meaning you will go where the work is and gain exposure across the firm's divisions, giving you broad exposure to both transactional and contentious legal work. You are organised, curious, and eager to get stuck in. You may be early in your career or making a move from a related field; what matters most is that you have a genuine interest in how legal services are delivered and a desire to make things work better. You are comfortable working in a fast-paced professional environment, can manage competing priorities calmly, and communicate clearly with people at all levels. You take pride in the quality of your work, ask good questions, and are not afraid to take ownership.
Key Responsibilities- Provide hands-on project management support on large or high value matters under the supervision of a Senior LPM or LPM.
- Maintain matter plans, timetables, risk registers, RAID logs, and status trackers.
- Monitor progress against agreed plans, flag risks or delays, and help keep matters on track.
- Assist in preparing client-facing updates, matter dashboards, and progress reports.
- Coordinate workstreams across internal teams and, where appropriate, with clients and third parties.
- Assist with WIP tracking, billing coordination, and budget monitoring on assigned matters.
- Support the preparation of fee estimates, scope of work documents, and pricing schedules.
- Help produce matter economics reports and flag variances to the supervising LPM.
- Learn and develop working proficiency across the firm’s legal technology stack, including platforms such as HighQ, Legatics, Harvey, Miro etc.
- Create and update matter trackers, checklists and workflow tools on matters, ensuring information is accurate and up to date.
- Support senior LPMS and work with colleagues in Legal Technology in deploying technology effectively on complex matters.
- Develop an understanding of how AI-assisted tools such as Harvey are being used within the firm and how the LPM team can support their adoption on matters.
- Stay curious about developments in legal technology and contribute ideas for how tools could be used more effectively within the team.
- Progressively take ownership of smaller, lower-complexity matters, managing these end-to-end with appropriate supervision.
- Build trusted relationships with fee earner teams across the divisions you support.
- Support the LPM team with capacity, cover, and general coordination during busy periods.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of LPM templates, tools, and precedents.
- Assist in embedding good project management practice across the legal teams you work with.
- Participate actively in team meetings, training sessions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to juggle multiple tasks and shifting priorities.
- Clear and confident communicator - written and verbal - with people at all levels.
- High attention to detail and a methodical, structured approach to work.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Proactive, collaborative, and solutions-focused — someone who takes initiative and follows through.
- Experience in a legal, professional services, or project coordination environment.
- Prior experience in a law firm or other professional services environment.
- Exposure to transactional or contentious legal work.
- Awareness of or working towards a project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, APM).
- Experience with legal technology platforms or practice management systems.
- Interest in legal operations, innovation, pricing, or process improvement.
This role offers more than a first step into legal project management — it offers genuine exposure, real responsibility, and the support of a team that is invested in your development.
Benefits & Opportunities- Hands-on involvement in high-value, complex legal matters from the outset.
- Broad exposure across the firm's divisions.
- The opportunity to develop core LPM skills in a firm that takes legal project management seriously.
- A collaborative, down-to-earth team culture where your contribution will be noticed and valued.
- Working together
- Integrity and respect
- Inclusive
- Personal impact and growth
- Driving high standards
- Commercial mindset
- Client-centric
- Responsible
We adopt a hybrid and flexible working approach, dependent on the requirements of the role and subject to manager approval.
Junior Legal Project Manager 6 Months FTC employer: Charles Russell Speechlys
Charles Russell Speechlys is an exceptional employer for aspiring legal project managers, offering a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in high-value legal matters while being part of a supportive and collaborative team. With a strong focus on employee development, you will receive real responsibility from day one, alongside access to a wealth of resources and training in legal technology, ensuring your growth in a dynamic and inclusive work environment. The firm's commitment to a hybrid working model further enhances work-life balance, making it an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the legal sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Legal Project Manager 6 Months FTC
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Charles Russell Speechlys.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Charles Russell Speechlys does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Charles Russell Speechlys.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Legal Project Manager 6 Months FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Charles Russell Speechlys and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Charles Russell Speechlys
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Junior Legal Project Manager 6 Months FTC role at Charles Russell Speechlys. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Charles Russell Speechlys.
