Department: Health Care and Public Law - Leeds and Manchester
Location: Manchester
Description
The main purpose of this role is to provide an excellent standard of secretarial support to fee earners across the specified practice. You may also be required to support other practice groups as needed.
The hours for this vacancy are 9:00-17:00. DACB operates Flexforward, supporting a Life that Works across the firm. The secretarial team in HCPL has a hybrid work pattern, splitting the week between office and home-based work. We seek an enthusiastic, driven individual eager to embrace all aspects of the role and work with like-minded colleagues.
Key Responsibilities
Client Relationship Management
- Keep up to date with client-specific protocols and processes, providing guidance and training as needed, and monitor ongoing compliance.
- Respond to client queries promptly and professionally.
Financial
- Manage billing and account queries, collaborating with fee earners and support teams to resolve issues.
- Prepare expense claims and complete all accounts forms.
- Maintain spreadsheets and a good understanding of client billing processes and rate tables.
Supporting Lawyers
- Handle confidential information in line with data security protocols.
- Prepare correspondence and documents from digital dictation.
- Prepare electronic bundles for Court and amend documents to client specifications.
- Prepare and create client reports, scan correspondence, and manage electronic files.
- Manage lawyer inboxes during absences and assist with document proofreading and comparisons.
- Use OneDrive and PDF Docs for secure document exchange and bundle creation.
- Assist with opening new matters, drafting engagement letters, and managing client files.
- Perform photocopying, scanning, filing, and archiving as required.
- Manage fee earner diaries, liaise with courts and clients, and coordinate appointments and travel arrangements.
- Assist in organizing client events and maintaining a tidy office environment.
- Handle telephone enquiries professionally and send out correspondence on behalf of fee earners.
- Prioritize tasks effectively, manage a full workload, and provide excellent client service both over the phone and in person.
- Support business development activities, maintain relationships, and develop knowledge relevant to the role.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- Experience in a legal or professional services environment.
- Strong multitasking, document production, and client communication skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and document/case management systems.
- Excellent communication and customer service skills.
- Proven ability to manage client-facing tasks with a practical approach.
- Investigation skills and problem resolution.
- Conscientious, responsible, and accountable for work quality.
- Team player with a positive attitude and adaptability.
- Discreet, confidential, and able to redirect information appropriately.
- Highly organized with excellent attention to detail to ensure accuracy in all deliverables.