Senior Practice Assistant

Baker McKenzie; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A global law firm seeks a Senior Practice Assistant in City of Westminster to provide top-tier administrative support to partners and senior associates. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the legal sector, strong document management, and excellent communication skills. Responsibilities include managing client intake processes, complex diary management, and mentoring junior staff. This position calls for a proactive approach and the ability to handle intricate tasks effectively.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience working in the legal sector or professional services.
• Demonstrates a can-do attitude and takes initiative.
• Able to manage complex diary and calendar management activities.
• Exhibits passion in collaborating with internal clients.
• Strong technical skills with various software packages.

Responsibilities

• Provide first-class administrative support to partners and senior associates.
• Manage client intake and expert billing support.
• Handle complex diary, call handling, and meeting organization.
• Act as a gatekeeper and manage email filing.
• Support junior secretarial staff through mentoring.

Skills

Advanced secretarial competencies

Strong document management skills

Excellent English communication skills

Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, Teams

High-level organization skills

Ability to handle complex activities

Proactive and solution-oriented

Strong client service orientation

Job description

The Senior Practice Assistant will demonstrate secretarial and administrative competencies to the highest level. The role-holder will provide first‑class administrative support and secretarial service to partners and senior associates as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Client intake (e.g., AML, engagement letters) and expert billing support at all levels, including WIP review, sending final invoices, collections management, and accruals.
• Proactively support client activities and requirements, serving as first contact and resolving basic queries.
• Navigate Service Now for various tasks, including document services (typing, formatting), resolution of IT‑related issues, and access to basic financial reporting metrics (SAP).
• Strategic liaison with E2E services, ensuring full utilization and coordination of services at all times, reviewing materials before sharing with attorneys.
• Prepare documents for urgent jobs that are not suitable for Document Services.
• Manage complex diary, call handling, and meeting organization for external meetings, utilizing GAS for internal meetings.
• Act as a gatekeeper.
• Manage in‑box and assist with email filing into iManage, and support hard‑copy filing.
• Provide administrative support at meetings, capturing outputs and following up as needed; may be assigned specific tasks or objectives for action from meetings.
• Proactively manage and coordinate all aspects of tasks assigned (e.g., meetings, events, travel).
• Collate and provide feedback with a solution‑oriented mindset.
• Support junior secretarial staff through mentoring.
• Undertake support of local practice group tasks and requirements.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience working in the legal sector or other professional services environment.
• Has advanced and specialized expertise, typically developed through a combination of job‑related training and considerable work experience within several different practice and functional areas.
• 'Can‑do' attitude, demonstrates proactivity and takes initiative.
• Consistently demonstrates secretarial competencies to the highest level in all areas.
• Able to manage complex diary and calendar management activities.
• Strong document management skills.
• Exhibits passion in collaborating with internal clients and stakeholders.
• Strong technical skills, including proficiency in all software packages (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, Teams).
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• High‑level organization skills.
• Able to understand the importance of client service.
• Can identify and proactively develop knowledge and skill gaps.
• Able to handle complex activities and be solution‑oriented.
• Lead by example (be a role model).
• Exercise independent judgement: Able to escalated issues effectively.
• Seek to enhance and self‑develop.

About Baker McKenzie

Complex business challenges require an integrated response across different markets, sectors, and areas of law. Baker McKenzie’s client solutions provide seamless advice, underpinned by deep practice and sector expertise, as well as first‑rate local market knowledge. Across more than 70 offices globally, Baker McKenzie works alongside its clients to deliver solutions for a connected world.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity Statement

Baker & McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people—regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or age—to fulfill their professional aspirations with us.