Practice Assistant - London

Farrer & Co

Dec 8

Applications are closed

Job
Full-time
Entry Level
Legal
London

Requirements

Has excellent timekeeping and prioritises work effectively
Is adaptable, flexible, reliable, co-operative and has a professional approach to work
Works as a positive, friendly and helpful team player
Communicates clearly and in a positive and constructive manner
Interacts in good faith and demonstrates effective listening
Uses initiative and takes a proactive approach to work by regularly seeking ways to improve support in the department
Positively supports and promotes change within the Department
Demonstrates a keen interest in and commitment to the department
Has a caring approach to self and colleagues providing support and guidance to junior members of the department.
Education and QualificationsQualified to GCSE standard, grade C/ Level 4 (or equivalent) at Mathematics and English essential
Previous secretarial experience in a law firm essential

Responsibilities

Organisational Support:
Effective and proactive diary management
Has an excellent knowledge of all systems/processes used within the Department
Is professional and maintains effective communications with clients and Fee Earners, using an appropriate mix of communication styles
Researches new clients/contacts and prepares bios before meetings, and conducts basic research (on-line or otherwise) for Fee Earners when required
Arranges travel and any other activities on behalf of others, where appropriate
Client Relationship and Business Development:
Provides excellent service to clients, fee earners and colleagues, in a timely and professional manner, presenting a positive image of the Firm at all times
Is aware of the differing needs of fee earners and is able to provide high quality PA support to any member of the department, tailoring their approach accordingly
Recognises, respects and honours client confidentiality at all times
Organises business development meetings and events for Fee Earners, and where they are held online offers technical support on the day
Assists the BD team in the production of business development materials
Understands and uses InterAction effectively to support fee earners BD efforts including recording all business development meetings in InterAction
Document Production:
Produces typed work accurately, a high speed and in accordance with the firm’s house style
Makes effective use of the Document Management System
Creates new documents from the Firm’s templates, using contact data from InterAction where appropriate
Proof-reads all documents for spelling, grammar and sense, querying wording where appropriate
Proactively uses initiative to compose correspondence on behalf of fee earners, requiring focused concentration and attention to detail
Assists fee earners in the production of ebundles where required
Thoroughly understands and uses the full suite of tools used in production of documents and the firm’s templates for these
Prepares thorough and clear handovers following a period of cover
IT Skills/Systems:
Maintains a high level of proficiency in core IT applications including the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
Makes suggestions for additional training, as required
Is capable of troubleshooting IT issues for fee earners and liaising with IT where these cannot be resolved within the team
File Management:
Ensures that files within the case management system are kept in good order so that documents can be easily accessed
Works in accordance with the department protocol in relation to e-filing
Adopts a pro-active approach and works with Fee Earners effectively, to maintain regular file management, ensuring all files are closed and archived, as appropriate, and a risk assessment having been undertaken
Keeps accurate records of all files sent to off-site storage via Records
Financial Risk Management:
Has an excellent knowledge and application of the Firm's procedures in billing, AML, Credit Control and debt management
Liaises with clients to obtain AML documentation and obtains relevant documentation from clients in a timely manner, as required by Fee Earners
Sets up conflict searches for review by fee earners, correctly identifying the appropriate classification for each entry
Thoroughly understands what is required for client care letters and prepares first drafts of CCLs for fee earners
Prepares bills (including bill narratives if required) and covering letter to client, as required by fee earners
Liaises with credit control and alerting Fee Earners to unpaid bills, where required
Deals with time-recording matters for Fee Earners as required (for example, to record holiday absence)

FAQs

Are there any specific qualifications or experience required for this Practice Assistant role?

The ideal candidate should have previous experience working as a Practice Assistant or in a similar administrative role. A strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to multitask are essential.

Can you provide more information on the responsibilities of a Practice Assistant in this role?

The Practice Assistant will be responsible for providing professional support to Fee Earners within the Department. This includes covering for other PAs during times of absence, managing administrative tasks, and adapting to the needs of different practice areas and fee earners. The candidate should be proactive, highly organized, and a strong team player.

What kind of skills are important for a successful Practice Assistant in this role?

Important skills for a Practice Assistant in this role include excellent organizational skills, the ability to multitask and prioritize tasks, strong attention to detail, proactive problem-solving abilities, and the ability to adapt to changing environments and tasks.

What kind of work environment can a Practice Assistant expect in this role?

The work environment for a Practice Assistant in this role will be fast-paced, dynamic, and will require flexibility and adaptability. The candidate will work closely with Fee Earners and other support staff, and will need to be able to switch between different tasks and practice areas with ease. Strong teamwork and a positive, up-beat approach are essential.

Farrer & Co

Law

Industry

201-500

Employees

1701

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

Farrer & Co is synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and service. We advise individuals, families, businesses, financial services, educational and not-for-profit organisations on every aspect of the law, wherever the need arises. From our offices in London we work with trusted professionals around the world to deliver a seamless international service. Our clients present us with complex and varied challenges. Whether that's a complicated family trust issue, a multinational corporate transaction, or an emerging threat to their reputation, they need clear thinkers who can advise on the best solutions, fast thinkers when speed is of the essence and agile thinkers who can produce a fresh approach to get the job done. That's why they choose us. Our clients value our in-depth knowledge, technical excellence and diversity of disciplines. But what really binds our long-standing relationships with them is our approach: pragmatic, plain speaking and always steadfast in our values, which we hold dear. Values which mean we gain our clients' trust, always strive to do the right thing, and aim for the best results for them. Superb client service sits at the heart of everything we do. We are modern lawyers with timeless values.