We are currently recruiting for a Legal Assistant to join our Child Protection / Care Proceedings team within the Family department. You will provide an efficient and effective administrative support to the team in which you work, enabling the team / department to function effectively and achieve its objectives. To ensure that work done by the team / department complies with internal quality standards and external requirements.
Duties will include :
Personalised Client Service
- Manage an administrative workload under the guidance of fee earners
- Provide administrative support to fee earners including file-opening, telephone management, document production (incl. audio-typing, filing / archiving, photocopying, email management, legal aid applications, online portal management and dealing with post)
- Draft documents and bills, under supervision, using appropriate precedents and templates to accurately reflect fee earner instructions
- Undertake basic legal processes, under supervision, such as assisting to process cases through portals, obtaining relevant documentation, arranging case meetings, arranging funding, liaising with the court, booking and briefing counsel, liaising with experts, drafting documents, completing relevant forms and processing monies
- Correspond with clients as required through telephone, email, letter and face to face
- Providing excellent client service at all times and adhere to the firms Client Experience (CX) principles
- Learn firm policies and business processes, ensuring compliance particularly with regards to confidentiality, security data protection and file retention and destruction requirements
- Ensure adherence to all affiliations and standards connected to the department (Legal Aid and Lexcel)
- Check to ensure all work complies with risk management policies and procedures, in particular concerning file opening processes and anti-money laundering. Audit files with the department to ensure files comply with risk management policies and procedures
- Deal with new enquiries for the department
Sustainable Growth
Provide administrative support for business development and marketing activities including booking facilities and refreshmentsUpdate the CRM system to input data and manage the client information through the system including adding contact details, referrals and new clients. Act as a super user for the systemSupport fee-earners by acting as a point of contact for 3rd parties (such as agents, referrers, experts and other solicitors), responding to enquiries and building a good rapportAct as an ambassador for the firm at all timesDynamic Culture
Build relationships with the team and clients based on trustWork closely with members of the team to ensure work is done to the best it can beBe open to and look for new ways of workingCoordinate team activities such as meetings, training or social activitiesFinancial & Operational Excellence
Time record for all work where possibleMake effective use of the relevant firm IT systems, working efficiently and streamlining processes where possibleInput into procedural changes, making suggestions for improvement and efficiencies. Take ownership of small projects where appropriateProcess invoices and interim payments on accountPrepare the file for costing once completedSkills, Attributes and Experience :
Previous experience within a Legal Assistant or Administrative roleExcellent organisation capability with the ability to effectively prioritiseSolid understanding of Microsoft Office suite and other relevant IT platformsStrong written communication skillsDemonstrate a good understanding of client relationship management and an ability to adapt to the individual needs of the clients