Legal PA, Private Client & Family in England

Apply to join Howard Kennedy LLP’s Private Client Department as a legal personal assistant on a permanent basis. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Family Legal PA to provide first‑class support to a busy team of fee earners, including partners and the Department Head.

Role Responsibilities

• Proactively manage and maintain fee‑earner diaries, schedule appointments, coordinate internal and external client meetings, and arrange meeting logistics (rooms, video conference, refreshments, transport, etc.).
• Arrange domestic and foreign travel, produce itineraries, and ensure expense claims are completed.
• Monitor and respond to fee‑earner inboxes when out of office, prioritise correspondence, route messages to appropriate individuals, and file emails in iManage where possible.
• Onboard new clients by following compliance rules, obtaining KYC documentation, and opening new matters.
• Serve as the key contact point for internal and external queries directed to supported fee earners.
• Produce documentation, draft, amend letters and correspondence, and proofread all work for accuracy and consistency.
• Coordinate end‑to‑end billing processes and Elite 3E financial reporting, liaising with the billing team and prompting fee earners to complete required paperwork.
• Bundle electronic and hardcopy documents (copying, compiling, indexing, paginating) and file financial documents on the HMCTs portal.
• Conduct research using internet databases and other resources.
• Communicate with clients, counsel, and other external parties.
• Support other PAs during absences and take initiative to assist fee earners administratively.
• Ensure all correspondence and documentation is correctly filed on iManage.
• Handle external and internal telephone calls, taking clear and concise messages.
• Build relationships with clients and clerks, demonstrating knowledge of files.
• Prepare hearing bundles, ensuring court documents are appropriately sectioned.
• Provide department‑specific support, such as familiarising with Family Court forms and precedents.
• Maintain accurate document presentation to Howard Kennedy house styles.
• Update external contacts and agent fees in relevant systems.
• Assist with BD activities and database updates.
• Plan events in liaison with BD.
• Delegate tasks to firm’s team assistants.
• Handle photocopying, scanning, and courier delivery of documents.

About you

• Experience in a demanding, high‑performing professional services environment.
• Experience in Family Law (essential).
• Extremely well‑organised with excellent diary and time‑management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Proactive, flexible, and self‑motivated.
• Strong team player.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with BigHand, Elite 3E, iManage/FileSite advantageous.

Core hours

Monday to Friday – 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Hybrid Working Pattern

Week 1: 2 days in office
Week 2: 3 days in office
Pattern alternates every week.

EEO Statement

Howard Kennedy is an equal‑opportunity employer. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities and are committed to a fair, transparent, and accessible recruitment process. We strive to remove barriers for candidates with unique needs. If you require adjustments during interviews, assessments, or onboarding, please let us know.

Agency Policy

We are not accepting applications via agencies for this role at this time. Any named CVs submitted without approval will not be considered and no agency fee will be paid.

Contact

Reach out to our recruitment team at for support or enquiries.