Legal Secretary

Birketts LLP; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking law firm as a Secretary in the dynamic Corporate team. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with solicitors, manage documentation, and support financial administration. You will thrive in a diverse environment, utilizing your strong administrative and IT skills while ensuring high standards of accuracy and professionalism. With a commitment to community impact and a flexible working model, this position is ideal for someone eager to grow and succeed in the legal field.

Benefits

Long Service Holidays

Private Healthcare

Profit Sharing

Pension Schemes

Life Assurance

Qualifications

• Demonstrated extensive administrative experience with a professional attitude.
• Strong operational skills and ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with fee earners to produce and amend documentation.
• Manage diaries and client information using Microsoft Outlook.

Skills

Administrative Experience

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

IT Skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Time Management

Team Collaboration

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm with a heritage spanning 160 years. We have over 700 lawyers and legal professionals based across Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich, and Sevenoaks. Our expertise covers four principal practice groups: property, corporate services, litigation, and private client advisory.

Our Next Level Law proposition defines us. We work proactively with our clients, anticipating challenges and opportunities. This approach extends to our team, fostering a collegiate culture that encourages everyone to achieve their next level. RollOnFriday ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.

We are committed to making a positive community impact and delivering on our ESG strategy. Diversity is integral to our ethos, with women representing 40% of our partnership.

The Department

Our energetic Corporate team is one of the largest in the East of England, comprising over 60 specialist solicitors, including 15 partners. We handle a wide range of corporate transactions such as M&A, private equity, reorganisations, and governance matters. The Sevenoaks department is experiencing growth, and we seek a new Secretary to join this journey.

Purpose of Job

1. Proactively collaborate with fee earners to produce documentation meeting client expectations and deadlines.
2. Amend documentation related to transactions and work undertaken by fee earners.
3. Format and present documents in Birketts LLP house style.
4. Proofread all work for spelling and grammar accuracy.
5. Utilize software like Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel to produce high-standard correspondence and documents.
6. Manage diaries of fee earners via Microsoft Outlook.
7. Handle client and file inception using our client matter management system.
8. Update client contact details and AML information in our database.
9. Maintain and update client relationship management data.
10. Ensure electronic filing is current and organized.
11. Respond professionally to telephone inquiries.
12. Support financial administration, ensuring compliance with policies.
13. Keep accurate records of debts, follow up, and escalate as needed.
14. Perform photocopying and scanning in line with firm policies.
15. Communicate effectively with a diverse range of clients, from private businesses to private equity firms.
16. Show initiative in resolving queries and problems.
17. Assist in maintaining compliant file and office systems.
18. Support team members and provide cover when necessary.
19. Clarify instructions from fee earners when unclear.

Candidate Profile

We seek a candidate with strong operational skills, excellent communication, and the ability to:

• Demonstrate extensive administrative experience.
• Maintain a positive, enthusiastic, and professional attitude.
• Work independently and prioritize effectively.
• Approach work methodically, managing projects and fee earners.
• Exhibit high attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Be self-motivated, proactive, and eager to learn.
• Type at 50+ words per minute.
• Have solid IT skills, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Be a team player with a desire to succeed and grow.
• Possess excellent spelling and punctuation skills.

Equal Opportunities

At Birketts, we are driven by ambition and committed to positive community impact. We support our colleagues' development and wellbeing through a flexible, inclusive environment and benefits such as long service holidays, private healthcare, profit sharing, pension schemes, life assurance, and more.

We embrace a hybrid working model, offering flexibility for part-time and flexible roles. Our recruitment process is merit-based, and we are committed to equality and diversity, actively promoting an inclusive culture.