LEGAL SECRETARY – PRIVATE CLIENT DEPT. LUTON – JOB REF: L4L1154

About The Firm

Our client is a leading regional multi-services law firm offering legal advice across both commercial and private client sectors, with their client base ranging from individuals, sole traders, SMEs, national, international businesses and multinational corporations. The firm has numerous departments highly rated by Legal 500. When you join them you become part of a great team, where a collaboration of friendly people and inclusive culture makes us a great place to work. We take pride in their diverse workforce of around 120 staff across our two offices in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, representing a wide range of backgrounds, talents, and routes into the legal profession. They are committed to supporting their employee’s growth, providing opportunities to develop their core skills and to progress in their chosen careers. They also understand the value of a "work life" balance, recognising that all staff need to enjoy life at work as well as outside of the office.

Role Overview

This role provides the opportunity to become a key member of a busy and supportive Private Client team. As a Legal Secretary in their Luton office you will primarily support a busy Solicitor providing essential secretarial, administrative and client support to the Private Client department.

Your responsibilities will include a range of administrative matters including wills, probate, lasting powers of attorney, and estate administration, as well as liaising directly with clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparing correspondence and legal documents through audio dictation and copy typing.
• Preparation of standard template documents used in Private Client such as Probate applications, wills and LPAs.
• Costing files on a monthly basis and the preparation of draft bills to include ensuring disbursements are claimed and paid.
• Liaising with clients and others, by telephone, email and in person.
• Greeting clients who visit the office without prior appointments, addressing their inquiries, taking messages, and documenting relevant information.
• Handling initial enquiries and/or taking detailed messages to ensure the appropriate person to deal with the matter on their return.
• Management of Fee Earners' diaries, including scheduling of appointments and arranging meetings.
• Opening and closing client files in accordance with standard procedures, ensuring files are Lexcel compliant including management of money laundering checks and keeping the associated records.
• Maintaining client details on the firm’s database (ALB) and updating as and when required.
• Awareness of GDPR and the handling of sensitive information ensuring confidentiality and security of all practice and client data.
• Dealing promptly and accurately with all filing and storage/retrieval requirements in respect of client files.
• Assisting in the smooth running of the department's administration and secretarial support by supporting other Fee Earners and support staff within the department.
• Undertaking any other ad hoc duties as requested by the professional staff in the department.
• Support as and when requested in firm-wide and departmental marketing events.

The Candidate

• Previous secretarial experience, preferably within Legal Service and ideally within Private Client is desirable.
• Proficient and accurate keyboard skills minimum 50wpm.
• Experience of audio dictation typing experience is desirable.
• Ability to communicate both in writing and orally with a wide range of people.
• A good understanding of client service, demonstrating a courteous, helpful and pleasant manner both in person and on the phone.
• Demonstrates efficiency, reliability and flexibility, with the ability to organise workloads effectively to meet challenging and changing deadlines ensuring prioritisation of different work matters from various Fee Earners.
• Self-motivation with the ability to work independently or within a team.
• Proven IT skills, including the use of case management systems and Microsoft.
• Personal pride in the quality of their work which should be to a high standard and delivered within the required timeframes.

Working Hours

9:00am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, office based only.

Location

Luton

Benefits

• Circa £27,000pa.
• 25 days holiday (in addition to bank holidays).
• Auto enrolment salary sacrifice pension scheme.
• Long service awards.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Free eye tests.
• Paid Flu vaccinations.
• Discounted legal advice across all Departments.
• Staff introduction bonus.
• Opportunities to participate in company sponsored charitable events.
• Other non-contractual benefits such as death in service insurance, cycle to work scheme, health cash plan.