Secretary/ Administration Assistant – Commercial & Private Client Litigation – Taunton or Bristol

Clarke Willmott Llp; Bristol, Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Secretary/Administration Assistant to support its Commercial & Private Client Litigation team in Bristol and Taunton. This role involves providing exceptional administrative support, managing client files, and ensuring smooth operations for fee earners. The ideal candidate will thrive in a busy environment, demonstrating excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure. Join a forward-thinking firm that values diversity and offers a supportive culture where you can grow and excel in your career.

Benefits

Flexible Working Hours

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Supportive Work Environment

Career Progression Opportunities

Qualifications

• Exceptional organisational skills with a proactive approach.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Manage client files, including opening, closing, and archiving.
• Prepare documents, presentations, and manage diaries for fee earners.

Skills

Organisation

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Attention to Detail

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Secretary/ Administration Assistant – Commercial & Private Client Litigation – Taunton or Bristol

We are seeking a Legal Secretary or Administration Assistant to provide a high level of assistance and support to our busy Commercial & Private Client Litigation team in Taunton and Bristol.

Our well-regarded Private Client Litigation team spans our Taunton and Bristol offices. You will offer high quality and proactive support, keeping our fee earners organised and enabling them to work as efficiently as possible.

Role: Secretary/ Administration Assistant
Location: Taunton or Bristol
Hours: Full Time
Term: Permanent
Vacancy Reference: 1353-BBL

Who we are

You’ll be joining a national law firm that enjoys a strong reputation, made possible by our exceptional people – each chosen for their industry knowledge and passion for their field. We want to help you to reach your full potential, love the work you do and deliver the best results for your clients. It’s our goal to make you feel great about working with us, and we work hard tocultivate a culture that makes it easy for you to stay with us for many years.

We work flexibly and you’ll be empowered to work where you do your best work, balancing your individual needs with the need for us to engage as teams and deliver excellent client service.

Most of our people choose to work in a hybrid fashion, working from home and attending our offices on occasion. Our offices are in Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton, and Taunton.

Day to day, you’ll be successful in this role by:

• Opening, closing and archiving client files
• Document production, including some copy typing, preparation of PowerPoint presentations and seminar materials, emails, memos, creating and updating of Excel spreadsheets
• Undertaking anti-money laundering checks and drafting risk assessments
• Running conflict checks
• Dealing with the general finances of client matters (e.g. dealing with disbursements, claiming money, sending payments to clients)
• Ensuring documents and records are stored appropriately, including ensuring filing and e-filing are up to date and accessible
• Diary and event management for the fee earners you support
• Coordinating travel arrangements and expenses
• Preparing invoices and ensuring they are delivered promptly to the client
• Occasionally sorting incoming and outgoing post
• Creating electronic bundles
• You will be the first point of contact for clients and have regular communication with them (taking messages, arranging meetings etc.), so should demonstrate professionalism, diplomacy and sensitivity in all your communications

You may also be involved in other administrative/secretarial activities both for your fee earners and others as required, including helping other administrators and secretaries during busy periods, and to cover absences from work.

This is a busy role, with deadlines to manage and competing priorities, so you will be required to work quickly, accurately and efficiently and remain calm under pressure. You will be expected to think ahead to meet the needs of your fee earners and clients.

It is an integral part of this role that you comply with information security and all firm policies and procedures.

This role is right for you if:

This role will suit you if you like to prioritise your own workload, work closely to deadlines, can work with minimum supervision and under pressure. You will need to demonstrate from experience that you are exceptionally organised and proactive, used to organising yourself and others when necessary, that you have a flexible ‘can-do’ attitude, and the skills to work closely with various stakeholders and have direct contact with clients.

You will have excellent spelling and grammar. You will be proficient with the usual Microsoft packages, including Excel and PowerPoint skills and comfortable with learning new databases and other software packages. You will have quick and accurate keyboard skills.

We expect you to be someone who takes pride in your work and in providing a first-class support service, anticipating our lawyers’ needs in advance wherever possible, and paying meticulous attention to detail in all your work.

Finally, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills and a willingness to go the extra mile, which will help you thrive in this role. This role is a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate to progress their career and enjoy a challenge within a large and continually growing, fast paced team.

What we can offer you:

A career at Clarke Willmott will feel different to other law firms. We thrive on ourindividual differences and diversity because as a team, we are united by our shared values and mutual respect. Working with us you will feel empowered, valued and free to be yourself in a safe and supportive environment.

There’s no doubt we expect the best from our people and even the occasional extra mile. In return, your dedication and commitment to the continued success of the firm will be rewarded with a comprehensive range offlexible benefits .

If you would like to apply for this vacancy, please send us your CV and covering letter using the form below.

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