Legal Secretary - Art & Luxury

Wedlake Bell's highly-regarded Art & Luxury practice (Band 1 Chambers UK & HNW) is seeking to recruit a Legal Secretary to work one-to-one with a leading Partner. This is a full-time, permanent position with the expectation of four days office attendance per week. Our specialist Art & Luxury practice advises a range of clients from artists, private collectors and international galleries through to governments, state institutions, museums, lenders, philanthropists and art fairs. They also have rich experience in other luxury assets such as collector cars, musical instruments, jewellery, wine, and watches. The team comprises nine fee-earners, supported by three Legal Secretaries. This is a newly created role supporting leading Partner Rudy Capildeo, providing effective one-to-one support in a highly varied role. You will provide a blend of legal secretarial and personal assistant support, working closely with Rudy and the wider team.

Responsibilities are highly varied; from day-to-day email support, through to arranging international travel and project-managing BD events or initiatives. This opportunity would suit an experienced Legal Secretary who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can manage a varied workload and is keen to become a trusted right-hand to the Partner. In return, we offer a highly competitive salary and benefits package, a collaborative working culture, and a varied and rewarding role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Personal Assistant Support: Proactively managing the Partner's diary, scheduling meetings, resolving conflicts; Preparing meeting agendas and documents, taking minutes, tracking actionable follow-up items; Arranging detailed travel plans, domestically and internationally; Screen and prioritise incoming emails, calls, or text messages; Managing personal appointments, running occasional personal errands, coordinating private events or dining; Other ad-hoc duties as required.
• Legal Secretarial Support: Supporting the preparation and management of legal documents, business development (BD) and promotional materials, presentations, and correspondence; Opening, maintaining and organising files ensuring information is easily accessible; Diarise deadlines and manage upwards to ensure work is achieved within committed timeframes; Keep track of workflow and maintain list of key matters and associated deadlines; Respond promptly to all internal and external correspondence; Coordinate the billing process; Maintain billing summaries and track WIP, debt, and collections; Draft and manage daily time entries; Maintain BD information via the CRM and various trackers; Process and track expenses weekly; Other ad-hoc duties as required.

Key Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong experience as a Legal Secretary (at least five years) in a fast-paced law firm.
• Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively under tight deadlines.
• Fast, accurate typing skills, with high standards of written English and grammar.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with an emphasis on client service.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with legal document management systems.
• A keen attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in all aspects of work.
• Discretion and personal integrity in handling confidential information.

Why join us?

• A competitive starting salary and bonus.
• A comprehensive pension plan.
• 25 days paid holiday per annum, plus additional leave for significant life events.
• Option to purchase up to five additional days of holiday each year.
• Life Assurance and competitive income protection scheme.
• Access to Private Medical and Dental Insurance from day one.
• Enhanced parental leave policies.
• Employee Assistance Programme with face-to-face counselling services.
• Variety of staff wellbeing initiatives including Pilates classes and subsidised gym memberships.
• A range of bonus schemes recognising referrals and client introductions.

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, where every individual is respected and valued. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, irrespective of their background or personal circumstances. If you are passionate about joining a busy team and are eager for a challenging yet fulfilling career, we encourage you to apply.