Legal Assistant - Family team

We are looking for an experienced Legal Secretary/Paralegal to join our Family team in our Forest of Dean office to provide a comprehensive secretarial service.

The duties attached to this post are:

• Assist the fee earner to progress the transaction in accordance with laid down procedures and standards. Liaison with clients and keeping them properly informed at all times.
• To provide support and assistance to the team supervisor as and when required.
• Ensure the Case Management system is used to progress cases and is kept up to date at all times if applicable.
• Draft and submit legal aid applications.
• File opening, preparing and providing client care documents.
• To make appointments and arrange meetings, maintain appointment diary.
• To undertake audio dictation, to type letters, documents and memoranda.
• To maintain filing systems ensuring the maintenance of adequate security of confidential and personal papers.
• To deal with incoming and outgoing correspondence and calls as necessary.
• To act on own initiative in the absence of the nominated fee earner.
• Dealing with general enquiries to the department and progressing these into live files.
• Undertake administrative duties as directed.
• Provide first point of contact for telephone calls and visitors to the branch / office taking  messages, handling queries using own initiative and knowledge and escalate to fee earner where required.
• To work in the best interest of the client and the firm and provide the highest standards of client care at all times.
• To carry out such other duties as may reasonably be required in relation to a post of this nature.

The person we are looking for:

• Proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel and case management software (preferably SOS Connect).IT;
• Excellent telephone manner;
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels;
• Ability to analyse information and present accurate findings;
• Ability to work within a team in an open plan office environment.
• Previous experience of working in Family.
• Ability to work unsupervised at times.
• Able to take own initiative.
• Able to work with high volumes.
• Will want to make a difference and will go that extra mile for clients and colleagues