Legal Secretary

Sellick Partnership; Northwich; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20 days' annual leave

Christmas shutdown

Birthday leave

Sick pay after year one

Job summary

Sellick Partnership is seeking a Legal Secretary to join its Private Client team, specialising in Wills, Trusts and Probate. This established, independent firm offers a friendly, community-focused environment with a strong reputation for client care.

The successful candidate will provide essential secretarial support to solicitors, manage diaries, prepare documents and handle client communications, in a professional, confidential manner.

Qualifications

• Experience as a legal secretary or legal assistant is advantageous but not essential.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good IT skills and confidence using word processing and diary management systems.
• A professional, tactful and confident approach when dealing with clients and colleagues.
• The ability to use initiative, work pragmatically and prioritise tasks effectively.
• A flexible, positive attitude and the ability to work well as part of a team.
• A high level of discretion and an understanding of confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Provide secretarial and administrative support to solicitors.
• Prepare, draft and audio-type correspondence and legal documents.
• Open, maintain, store and retrieve client files per firm procedures.
• Manage diaries and arrange appointments.
• Handle outgoing post and general office administration.
• Complete forms and other documentation relating to client matters.
• Update the firm's case management system and assist with precedents.
• Act as a first point of contact for clients in person or by phone.
• Ensure messages reach the fee earner promptly and accurately.
• Support progress of client matters in the fee earner's absence.
• Handle client monies in accordance with professional rules.
• Liaise with colleagues, clients and external contacts.
• Maintain confidentiality and high standards of accuracy.

Skills

Excellent organisational skills

Strong written and verbal comms

Good IT skills

Ability to manage varied workload

Discretion and confidentiality

Tools

Word processing

Diary management systems

Job description

Legal Secretary – Private Client (Wills, Trusts & Probate)

Full-Time or Part-Time | Permanent | Salary £24,000–£26,000 DOE

Our client, an established and highly regarded independent law firm, is seeking a Legal Secretary to join its Private Client team, specialising in Wills, Trusts and Probate.

This is an excellent opportunity for an organised, proactive and client-focused individual to join a friendly, community-focused practice with a strong reputation for legal expertise and exceptional client care.

The Opportunity

Working closely with solicitors within the Private Client department, the successful candidate will provide essential secretarial and administrative support, helping to ensure the smooth and efficient running of client matters.

Previous experience as a Legal Secretary or Legal Assistant would be advantageous, ideally within a Private Client department, although this is not essential. Our client is keen to hear from candidates who demonstrate the right attitude, organisational skills and commitment to delivering an excellent client experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing effective secretarial and administrative support to solicitors.
• Preparing, drafting and audio-typing correspondence, legal documents and other paperwork.
• Opening, maintaining, closing, storing and retrieving client files in accordance with firm procedures.
• Managing diaries, arranging appointments and meetings, and maintaining an effective bring-forward system.
• Preparing outgoing post, arranging document copying and handling general office administration.
• Completing relevant forms, statements and other documentation relating to client matters.
• Updating the firm's case management system and assisting with the maintenance of document precedents.
• Acting as a first point of contact for clients, both in person and over the telephone, ensuring a professional, friendly and empathetic service.
• Ensuring messages, emails and other communications are passed to the relevant fee earner promptly and accurately.
• Supporting the progress of client matters and dealing with routine procedures in the fee earner's absence, where appropriate.
• Handling client monies in accordance with applicable professional rules and procedures.
• Liaising with colleagues, clients and external contacts as required.
• Managing competing priorities effectively while maintaining confidentiality and high standards of accuracy.

About You

Our client is looking for someone who is professional, approachable and enthusiastic, with a strong work ethic and a genuine commitment to client care.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience in a legal secretarial or legal assistant role, although this is not essential.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good IT skills and confidence using word processing and diary management systems.
• A professional, tactful and confident approach when dealing with clients and colleagues.
• The ability to use initiative, work pragmatically and prioritise tasks effectively.
• A flexible, positive attitude and the ability to work well as part of a team.
• A high level of discretion and an understanding of the importance of confidentiality.

The firm's achievements include recognition in Chambers & Partners UK and The Legal 500, multiple Law Society quality accreditations and Lexcel accreditation for excellence in practice management.

The firm prides itself on its people, supportive working environment and commitment to delivering an outstanding service to its clients.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: £24,000–£26,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Working arrangements: Full-time or part-time.
• Contract: Permanent.
• Annual leave: 20 days' holiday, increasing by one day for each completed year of service after two years, up to a maximum of 25 days.
• Christmas shutdown: Time off from 5pm on the last working day before Christmas until the first working day of the New Year.
• Birthday leave: An additional day off for your birthday, available after one completed year of employment.
• Sick pay: 10 days' paid sick leave, available after one completed year of employment.