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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Fee Earners with diary management, document production, and client relations.
- Company: Join Farrer & Co, a top-tier law firm known for quality legal advice and diverse expertise.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours and a supportive, inclusive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team tackling complex legal challenges while building valuable skills.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths and English (Grade C or above) and prior secretarial experience in a law firm required.
- Other info: Agile working framework with a minimum of 40% office presence; equal opportunity employer.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Working hours: Full-time (Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm)
Reports to: Departmental Support Manager
Team: Corporate
Location: London
The Firm
Farrer & Co is synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and service. We advise individuals, families, businesses, financial services, educational and not-for-profit organisations on every aspect of the law, wherever the need arises. From our offices in London, we work with trusted professionals around the world to deliver a seamless international service. Our clients present us with complex and varied challenges. Whether that’s a complicated family trust issue, a multinational corporate transaction, or an emerging threat to their reputation, they need clear thinkers who can advise on the best solutions, fast thinkers when speed is of the essence, and agile thinkers who can produce a fresh approach to get the job done. That’s why they choose us. Our clients value our in-depth knowledge, technical excellence, and diversity of disciplines. But what really binds our long-standing relationships with them is our approach: pragmatic, plain speaking, and always steadfast in our values, which we hold dear. Values which mean we gain our clients' trust, always strive to do the right thing, and aim for the best results for them.
The Team
We advise on a wide spectrum of contentious and non-contentious corporate matters, including clients such as global corporates, private equity funds, AIM listed companies (and Nomads), as well as entrepreneurial owner/managed businesses. While most of our deals were in the £10m - £40m range in 2010/11, we also undertake smaller transactions. Our team has a wealth of specialist expertise, particularly in publishing, radio, hotel and leisure, sovereign wealth funds, partnerships, and healthcare.
Responsibilities
- Organisational Support
- Effective and proactive diary management, with awareness of Fee Earners' workloads to plan ahead, with minimal supervision
- Processing relevant applications, forms, or searches with minimal supervision
- Good knowledge of all systems/processes used within the Department
- Client Relationship and Business Development
- Providing excellent service to clients, both internal and external, in a timely and professional manner, presenting a positive image of the Firm at all times
- Acting as a first point of contact for Fee Earners
- Assisting in the delivery of marketing communications and recording all business development meetings in InterAction
- Respecting and maintaining client confidentiality at all times
- Document Production
- Creating high-quality, formatted documents in accordance with house style, quickly and accurately
- Using the Document Management System effectively
- Creating documents from templates, using contact data from InterAction where appropriate
- Proofreading all documents for spelling, grammar, and clarity, querying wording where necessary
- IT Skills/Systems
- Maintaining proficiency in core IT applications including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- File Management
- Working proactively with Fee Earners to maintain and update files, ensuring all files are current, closed, and archived as appropriate
- Keeping accurate records of files sent to off-site storage via Records
- Financial Risk Management
- Preparing bills as required by Fee Earners
- Preparing AML documentation and obtaining relevant client documentation promptly
- Carrying out conflict searches and correctly identifying work types
Skills and Experience
- GCSEs or equivalent in Mathematics and English (Grade C or above) are essential
- Previous secretarial experience in a law firm is essential
Special Aspects
The normal working hours are 9.30am – 5.30pm, but flexibility and commitment to work beyond these hours when necessary are required to meet client demands. Farrer & Co operates an agile working framework, expecting members to spend at least 40% of their hours in the office, with flexibility for more depending on circumstances. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. If you require adjustments during the interview or application process, please inform the recruitment team.
Comments
Pre-employment screening, including criminal history and credit checks, will be conducted for successful candidates.
Practice Assistant employer: Farrer & Co
Contact Detail:
Farrer & Co Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific systems and processes used within Farrer & Co. Understanding their Document Management System and InterAction will give you a significant edge, as it shows your initiative and readiness to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Demonstrate your organisational skills by preparing examples of how you've effectively managed diaries or schedules in previous roles. Being able to discuss your proactive approach to workload management will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your experience in client-facing roles during any discussions. Farrer & Co values excellent service, so be ready to share instances where you've successfully maintained client relationships or handled sensitive information.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Word and Excel. Being able to showcase your document formatting and proofreading skills will be crucial, as these are key responsibilities for the Practice Assistant role.
We think you need these skills to ace Practice Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, particularly any secretarial roles in a law firm. Emphasise skills like diary management, document production, and client relationship management that align with the responsibilities of the Practice Assistant role.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of Farrer & Co's values and how your skills can contribute to their team. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to provide excellent service and manage multiple tasks effectively.
Highlight IT Proficiency: Since the role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office and other IT systems, be sure to mention your experience with these applications. Provide examples of how you've used them in previous roles to enhance efficiency and productivity.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread all documents for spelling, grammar, and clarity. This is crucial as attention to detail is a key requirement for the Practice Assistant position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Farrer & Co
✨Know the Firm Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you research Farrer & Co thoroughly. Understand their values, the types of clients they serve, and the specific legal areas they specialise in. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest in the firm and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As a Practice Assistant, strong organisational skills are crucial. Be prepared to discuss your experience with diary management, document production, and file management. Use specific examples from your previous roles to illustrate how you've successfully managed multiple tasks and supported fee earners.
✨Emphasise Client Service Experience
Farrer & Co values excellent client service. Be ready to share examples of how you've provided exceptional service in past roles, whether to internal or external clients. Highlight your ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Demonstrate IT Proficiency
Since the role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office and other IT systems, be prepared to discuss your experience with these tools. You might even want to mention any specific projects where your IT skills made a significant impact, showcasing your ability to create high-quality documents efficiently.
