Wills & Probate Legal Assistant

At Oliver & Co; Chester; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic legal firm as a Legal Assistant in their Wills and Probate team. This full-time, office-based role in Chester requires someone with strong analytical skills and a keen interest in the field, offering numerous benefits, including employee ownership and generous annual leave.

Benefits

Profit Share - 100% employee owned

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Extra holiday at Christmas

Employee Assistance Programme

Company Pension Scheme

Career development and progression plans

In-house training & courses

Company social events

Qualifications

• Experience as a paralegal or legal assistant preferred but not essential.
• Willingness to learn and deliver responsibilities to a high standard.
• Dynamic attitude and ability to handle sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Opening and closing files, maintaining files accurately.
• Diary management and handling client communications.
• Managing correspondence and administrative duties efficiently.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Excellent communication skills

Attention to detail

Ability to work independently

Customer service skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Leap (case management system)

Job description

This is a great opportunity to join our growing and dynamic firm where you will be made to feel part of the team immediately, have an opportunity to progress your career while helping to shape the direction of the department with the full support of those around you.

We have a fantastic opportunity for a legal assistant to join our fantastic Wills and Probate law team. We’re looking for someone with a keen interest in Wills and Probate, who is keen to be involved in actively marketing the department. This is a full-time office-based position in the centre of Chester working Monday to Friday 8:45 am to 5:15 pm.

About Us

What is it like to work at Oliver & Co? Well, we like to think we have created somewhere where people are happy to come and work every day, where the offices are somewhat colourful, and where talented, successful people get on in their careers.

We are one of a small handful of law firms in the UK that are 100% employee owned. That means that no matter your role or how many hours you do, you are an equal part of the team and valued and rewarded as such.

We’re always keeping an eye out for Oliver & Co people to join us. Below are a few of the things that we look out for in a potential new member of the team:

• A bright and enthusiastic personality;
• A great track record in whatever it is that you do;
• The ability to think and act commercially;
• A willingness to learn and grow; and
• A desire to be a valuable part of an ambitious and driven team.

The Role

Responsibilities:

• Opening and closing files, including archiving;
• Maintaining files with effective and accurate use of our case management system (Leap);
• Diary management;
• Making and receiving calls from clients and other third parties;
• Dealing effectively with enquiries. Ensuring that they are dealt with efficiently and politely and in line with our client care policy;
• Taking ownership of, preparing and managing all forms of correspondence, including letters and emails, along with inbound post, photocopying and other administrative duties as required;
• Understand the importance of their flexible role in the smooth running of the office.
• Know how to prioritise tasks when several appear equally urgent and important
• Give a good impression of the firm from the first contact onwards.
• Apply sound customer service techniques to handle clients in a sensitive and approachable manner both face-to-face and on the telephone,
• Recognise early warning signs that problems are brewing with clients and flag these up with their fee earner as well as work on a strategy for handling the situation.
• Ability to regard all their solicitor’s clients as their own and familiarise themselves with each case so as to understand how to respond.
• Dealing with client ID and carrying out identity checks;
• Preparing letters and invoices; and
• Maintain high professional standards, confidence and integrity.

Skills:

• Strong analytical skills and a great attention to detail;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• An ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Word and Excel, including Microsoft Teams;
• Communicate effectively and courteously and convey information accurately;
• Work calmly and accurately under pressure;
• An ability to prioritise tasks;
• Willingness and ability to learn new technology;
• Self-managed, organised and a high level of initiative;
• Integrity to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately; and
• A ‘Can Do’ and dynamic attitude.

This role will provide a high level of support to our Solicitors and other team members in the provision of efficient, personal and professional service at all times, ensuring that business objectives are achieved.

We are looking to recruit a candidate with experience as a paralegal or legal assistant in a wills and probate, however, this is not essential and training will be provided. The right candidate will be willing to learn the role with a desire to deliver their responsibilities to a high standard and operate in a fast-paced team with the aim of becoming an integral and invaluable part of that team.

What we do for you

Our biggest asset is our team, and we pride ourselves on looking after you.

• Profit Share – We are 100% employee owned! This means that all our team receive an equal share of our profit, enabling us to reap the rewards of our success.
• The opportunity to bring in ideas and influence the success of the company by being an employee owner.
• Generous Annual Leave – 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and the ability to carry forward unused holiday.
• Extra holiday at Christmas – 3 days extra holiday, to be taken over the Christmas period when our office closes.
• Employee Assistance Programme – Health plan where you can claim back the cost of treatment for you and your children, including dental, opticians, flu jab, specialist consultations and diagnostics as well as complementary and alternative therapies, with access to Virtual GP and prescription service for peace of mind.
• Access to free advice, support, and confidential counselling available 24/7.
• Company Pension Scheme with Nest Pensions.
• Generous discounts on legal fees across all our departments.
• Career development and progression plans for all team members, including study leave and funding for qualifications.
• Birthday presents, and other employee benefits.
• Company social events each quarter, company funded Christmas party, plus much more.

Company benefits include:

• Entitlement to profit share after 6 months
• Opportunity to bring in ideas and influence the success of the company by being an employee owner
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 days plus bank holidays and the ability to carry forward unused holiday
• Extra holiday at Christmas - 3 days extra holiday, to be taken over the Christmas period when our office closes
• Employee Assistance Programme - health plan where you can claim back the cost of treatment for you and your children including dental, opticians, flu jab, specialist consultations and diagnostics as well as complementary and alternative therapies, with access to Virtual GP and prescription service for peace of mind
• Generous discounts on legal fees across all our departments
• Access to free advice, support and confidential counselling 24/7
• Company Pension Scheme with Nest Pensions
• Career development and progression plans for all team members, including study leave and funding for qualifications
• In-house training & courses
• Birthday presents and company social events each quarter, company funded Christmas party and more
• Enhanced maternity pay

Since 1964 Oliver & Co have been providing expert legal advice to our clients.

Oliver & Co Solicitors is a trading name of Oliver & Co Solicitors Limited, a limited company registered in England and Wales (registered number 07034465) who are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, ref no. 533647. Our VAT number is 439 8429 07. A list of Directors is available for inspection at our offices.