Legal Assistant - Private Client

Search Consultancy LTD; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Bank holidays

Workplace pension

Comprehensive handover

Job summary

Search Consultancy LTD is recruiting for an experienced Legal Assistant / Legal Secretary to join its Private Client team in Portsmouth. You will provide dedicated 1:1 support to a senior Private Client fee earner, handling diary management, correspondence and file administration with a strong emphasis on accuracy and client service.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in a Legal Secretary/Legal Assistant role, private client experience, and excellent organisational and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Private Client Legal Secretary/Legal Assistant experience required.
• 5+ years in a legal support role as secretary/assistant.
• Strong legal admin and document management skills.
• Excellent organisation and ability to manage workload.
• Professional, personable client communication.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Able to build solid relationships with the fee earner.
• Proactive, dependable and team-focused attitude.

Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated 1:1 secretarial and admin support to a Private Client fee earner.
• Manage correspondence, documentation and day-to-day admin for Private Client matters.
• Coordinate diaries, appointments and meetings.
• Liaise with clients, colleagues and external contacts by phone and email.
• Assist with file opening, maintenance and closing procedures.
• Prepare and process legal documentation accurately and efficiently.
• Support billing and other matter-related administration.
• Prioritise tasks and manage competing workloads.
• Maintain accurate and well-organised client/matter records.
• Collaborate with fee earners and the wider support team.

Skills

Private Client exp

Legal secretary

Diary management

Client comms

Document management

Job description

Legal Assistant / Legal Secretary - Private Client

The Opportunity

A well-established law firm is seeking an experienced Legal Assistant / Legal Secretary to join its Private Client team due to the upcoming retirement of a longstanding member of the support team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced legal support professional looking for a stable, long-term position within a friendly and established department to provide a high standard of service to clients. You will provide dedicated 1:1 support to a senior Private Client fee earner.

The firm is looking for someone with at least five years' Legal Secretary/Legal Assistant experience, with previous Private Client experience essential.

The Role

• Provide dedicated 1:1 secretarial and administrative support to a Private Client fee earner.
• Manage correspondence, documentation and day-to-day administration across Private Client matters.
• Coordinate diaries, appointments and meetings.
• Liaise professionally with clients, colleagues and external contacts by telephone and email.
• Assist with file opening, maintenance and closing procedures.
• Prepare and process legal documentation accurately and efficiently.
• Support billing and other matter-related administration.
• Manage competing priorities and ensure tasks are progressed promptly.
• Maintain accurate and well-organised client and matter records.
• Work collaboratively with fee earners and the wider support team.

About You

• Private Client Legal Secretary/Legal Assistant experience, which is essential.
• 5+ years' experience within a Legal Secretary, Legal Assistant or similar legal support position.
• Strong legal administrative and document management skills.
• Excellent organisation and the ability to confidently manage your own workload.
• A professional and personable approach to client communication.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• The ability to build a strong working relationship with your allocated fee earner.
• A proactive, dependable and team-focused approach.

Working Pattern

The firm would ideally prefer someone who can be office-based five days per week, particularly during the initial handover and training period however there may be some flexibility around working arrangements for the right candidate once established in the role.

Salary & Benefits

• 25 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Additional leave over the Christmas period may be provided at the firm's discretion.
• Workplace pension.
• Opportunity for a comprehensive handover with the current Legal Assistant, subject to start date.

Training

The firm is keen to appoint someone ASAP to allow time for a handover with the current Legal Assistant. However, wider support and training will remain available within the team.

Why This Role?

This is a strong opportunity for an experienced Private Client Legal Secretary who values 1:1 fee earner support and is looking to join an established team where their legal support experience will be genuinely valued. With a planned handover and longer-term succession within the department, the position offers both continuity and the opportunity to become a key part of the Private Client team.

Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age