Legal Secretary, Professional Indemnity

Spamil; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Sparke Helmore in Melbourne is seeking a dedicated Legal Secretary to join the Specialty Lines team. This permanent full-time role supports partners Patrick McGrath and Patrick Tuohey, handling file opening, drafting letters, briefs, and cost agreements, plus billing and general admin.

The role requires prior secretarial experience in a busy litigation setting, strong attention to detail, and excellent organisational skills.

Qualifications

• Ideally you have prior secretarial experience in a busy litigation practice supporting multiple senior lawyers.
• Ability to work efficiently in a team environment with excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• Law students or recent school leavers with administration experience are encouraged to apply and must be available 5 days a week.

Responsibilities

• Opening new files and ongoing file management.
• Drafting documents such as letters to clients, pleadings, and cost agreements.
• Collating briefs to experts and counsel.
• Billing (generating prebills, making necessary amendments, and finalising prebills).
• General administrative tasks such as calendar management, arranging meetings, invoicing, and more as required.

Skills

Secretarial experience

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Teamwork

Job description

Why Sparke Helmore?

As an independent Australian firm with a long history and a big heart, we have a rich story to tell. Our spirit is built on the power of relationships with our people, clients and communities.

At Sparke Helmore, you’ll be actively involved as part of a diverse, genuine and friendly team. We’ll help you harness your ambition and take your skills to new heights with exposure to outstanding clients and easy access to exceptional leaders and mentors.

Your story is yours to define. We’d like to be part of it and for you to be part of ours.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Legal Secretary to join our Specialty Lines team in Melbourne working with partners Patrick McGrath and Patrick Tuohey.

About the team and the work

This is a fantastic opportunity for a dedicated and highly efficient Legal Secretary to work in a supportive and collaborative team environment.

Working in a busy litigation practice, you will be responsible for:

• Opening new files and ongoing file management.
• Drafting documents such as letters to clients, pleadings, and cost agreements.
• Collating briefs to experts and counsel.
• Billing (generating prebills, making necessary amendments, and finalising prebills).
• General administrative tasks such as calendar management, arranging meetings, invoicing, and more as required.

This is a permanent full-time position in a growing team. In addition to the administrative responsibilities, there are opportunities to take on paralegal tasks for the partners.

What the market says

• Winner: Law Firm of the Year, Insurance, Best Lawyers, 2027
• Ranked: Tier 1, Insurance Law, Melbourne, Best Lawyers 2027
• Finalist: Law Firm of the Year, Australian Law Awards, 2026
• 5-Star Employer of Choice, 2025 - Stand Out Winner (Wellbeing and Experience)

About you

• Ideally you will have prior secretarial experience in a busy litigation practice supporting multiple senior lawyers, or other corporate administration experience.
• Ability to work efficiently in a team environment with excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• Law students or recent school leavers with administration experience are encouraged to apply however you must be available 5 days a week.

What Sparke Helmore can offer you

Our culture is one which values and celebrates diversity to better represent the communities in which we live and work. We encourage people from all backgrounds to join us - and bring their whole selves to work.

We recognise people value things differently. That's why our comprehensive benefits program is wide ranging so that everyone can find something that appeals to them. We're sure you will find something to love about what Sparke Helmore has to offer.

We believe the best stories are shared

Background Screening: Successful applications will be subject to pre-employment and in some circumstances, ongoing background checks which include a criminal history check.

For further information regarding this opportunity please contact Nikki Costelloe on +61 ***********.