Legal Secretary in Watford

We are seeking an experienced Legal Secretary to join our busy Hertford office, providing high-quality administrative and secretarial support to fee-earners. The successful candidate will be organised, proactive and confident in managing a varied legal support workload, ensuring efficient progression of matters and excellent client care.

Key responsibilities

• Provide high-quality secretarial support to fee-earners including typing and formatting letters, legal documents, pleadings and court bundles; ensure documents are accurate, presented to firm standards and completed within agreed timescales.
• Manage incoming and outgoing correspondence, emails and telephone calls; screen and prioritise communications, respond on behalf of fee-earners where appropriate and record client instructions accurately.
• Open, maintain and close client files in accordance with firm procedures and SRA requirements; complete client care and AML intake checks and ensure matter records are audit-ready and compliant with firm policies.
• Maintain case management and document management systems by updating matter records, scanning and indexing documents, uploading correspondence and ensuring version control of precedents and templates.
• Prepare routine court forms, bundle indices, schedules and conveyancing packs where required; coordinate submissions, arrange and book hearings and appointments, and liaise with court staff and external parties as necessary.
• Arrange meetings and appointments, manage fee-earner diaries, organise travel and hospitality where required and ensure meeting rooms and resources are prepared in advance.
• Provide billing support by preparing fee notes, recording time accurately on matters, assisting with disbursement and expense records and supporting timely invoicing in line with departmental processes.
• Support team efficiency by maintaining office stationery and supplies, ordering office equipment and liaising with IT and facilities for equipment or system issues.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by suggesting and adopting efficient administrative processes, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of firm procedures and sharing best practice with colleagues.
• Act as a point of contact for clients and external contacts, delivering a professional and courteous service and escalating substantive legal queries to fee-earners promptly.

Key skills and experience required

• At least 2 years experience as legal secretary or in a similar administrative role within a law firm or legal services environment.
• Excellent typing, document production and proofreading skills with strong attention to detail and a high standard of written English.
• Proficiency with case management and document management systems, Microsoft Office applications and confident use of email and electronic files.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work with minimal supervision while escalating issues as appropriate.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a professional telephone manner and the ability to build effective working relationships with clients, colleagues and third parties.
• Understanding of client care and AML procedures and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, contribute positively to team objectives and support continuous improvement initiatives.