Legal Assistant (Commercial Property)

Forbes Solicitors LLP; Preston; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave including bank/UK

Health care benefits

Pension

Progression opportunities

Annual events

Job summary

Forbes Solicitors LLP is seeking a Legal Assistant to join our Commercial Property team at the Gordon House Office. This full-time role (36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday) offers a supportive, collaborative environment and a clear path for career progression.

In this position you will provide essential administrative and secretarial support to Advisors, prepare standard legal documents, draft correspondence, manage client instructions, and coordinate with clients and third parties to

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 or above.
• Experience in administration/secretarial roles.
• Attention to detail in legal documents.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and multitask.
• Team player with commercial awareness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Competent IT skills (Outlook, Word, and other systems).

Responsibilities

• Provide effective administrative support to Advisors through administration, planning and secretarial work.
• Complete non-chargeable work required to deliver client work in a timely and efficient manner.
• Prepare and complete standard legal documents using set processes, systems and information provided.
• Draft and proof-read standard correspondence for relevant stakeholders.
• Take and update client instructions to inform the department of requirements.
• Provide organisation and logistical support to Advisors and the department (diarising meetings, notes, transport, directions, liaising with clients and third parties).
• Obtain instructions and inform clients of processes and next steps.
• Coordinate and liaise with third parties.
• Manage ongoing communications with external stakeholders and escalate where needed.

Skills

Attention to detail

Proof-reading

Time management

Teamwork

Communication skills

IT skills

Education

GCSE Maths and English, grade C/4 or above

Tools

Outlook

Word

Job description

The Role

Forbes Solicitors LLP are seeking a Legal Assistant to join our Commercial Property team at our Gordon House Office. This role is full time, working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to start and progress their career and become part of a collaborative and professional team. While the role demands the fast pace, customer focus, and high standards of a law firm, it also ensures a sustainable work-life balance, reflecting the regional area it serves.

As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for achieving successful outcomes such as:

• Provide effective and efficient support to Advisors through administration, planning and secretarial work.
• Successful completion of additional non-chargeable work required to deliver work to clients in a timely and efficient manner.
• Preparing and completing standard legal documents for the delivery of client work, using set processes, systems and information provided.
• Drafting and proof-reading standard correspondence for any relevant stakeholders based on information provided by an Advisor.
• Taking and updating client instructions to accurately inform the department of requirements.
• Providing organisation and logistical support to Advisors and the department for the practical delivery of services to clients (e.g. diarising meetings, taking notes, organising transport and directions, liaising with clients and third parties regarding arrangements required).
• Obtaining instructions and information from clients and informing them of the processes and next steps.
• Co-ordinating and liaising with third parties.
• Manage on-going communications with all external stakeholders, answering queries, managing expectations, providing updates and effectively chasing responses required and escalating appropriately.

The Person

We will be progressing applicants to the next stage based on their demonstrated knowledge, experience, and skills in:

Essential

• GCSE Maths and English, grade C/4 or above, or equivalent.
• Previous experience within administration/secretarial roles (ideally within professional services).
• Demonstrates good attention to detail, including proof-reading and editing skills to ensure accuracy and quality of legal documents.
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritise tasks, manage time effectively, and coordinate multiple activities simultaneously.
• Demonstrates the ability to work as part of a team.
• Demonstrates well-developed commercial awareness.
• Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with clients, colleagues, and external parties.
• Demonstrates competence in their IT skills (Outlook, Word, and other systems experience).
• Has an interest in long term development/progression in the department.

Desirable

• Previous legal assistant/paralegal experience.
• Previous experience within Property Law

The Firm

At Forbes Solicitors, we believe in creating a supportive and collaborative environment where our team members can thrive and develop themselves and others. We offer a comprehensive range of legal services and have offices across the North, with deep roots in Lancashire. Our team are known for its genuine, practical advice and passion for achieving the best results. We are real people who listen to each other and work together to deliver exceptional service.

We are proud to have been awarded UK Employer of the Year: Silver (250+) at the Investors in People Awards 2024 and the Firm is ranked as a Legal 500 Top Tier Firm and a Chambers and Partners Leading Firm.

We are a values led Firm and are looking for people who embody our values: authenticity, striving for exceptional results, and unity in teamwork to join our award-winning Firm.

The Benefits

We are dedicated to supporting our people and offer a range of benefits, including:

• 33 days annual leave, including bank holidays.
• Annual leave purchase scheme (Subject to T&Cs).
• Celebration leave.
• Ongoing professional development.
• Progression opportunities.
• Company pension.
• Profit share scheme.
• Long service awards.
• Subsidised tuck shops.
• Health care benefits (Health Cash Back Plan and Mental Health Counselling Services).
• BUPA (Solicitor positions only, for self, not dependents).
• Retailer and gym membership discounts.
• Recruitment and legal department referrals (Subject to T&Cs).
• Annual Events.

Forbes is an equal opportunities and disability-confident employer, accredited by Investors in People and ISO 9001 quality management systems. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment, service provision, and supplier engagement, and strive to maintain a workforce that reflects the local community.