Private Client Legal Assistant

Are you an organised, proactive and experienced Legal Assistant looking to join a supportive, friendly and professional team?

We are looking for an efficient and professional team player to provide invaluable support to our Private Client fee earners – working in a collaborative environment providing first class client service.  Playing an important role through preparing legal documents and correspondence, managing diaries and appointments, liaising with clients both in person and on the telephone, this is an excellent opportunity to develop your legal knowledge and manage a varied and interesting caseload.

What we are looking for:

We need someone who will fit in quickly with our team and develop a great relationship with our clients. Our ideal candidate will have:

• Previous legal experience
• A proactive and positive approach to their work
• The ability to work within a busy team and support their colleagues
• Superb levels of client care showing empathy and understanding for our clients experiencing difficult times 

What we can offer:

Harrowells really is a great place to work. We have a great culture and pride ourselves in not only doing a great job for our clients but also enabling our teams to have the work / life balance they deserve. In addition to that we can offer:

• A competitive salary
• Realistic targets
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Wellbeing support
• A great social scene
• A range of benefits including pension, life cover, enhanced maternity and paternity pay, health cash plan, staff discounts, competitive holidays (and a day off for your birthday!) and a cycle to work scheme

If you are interested in the role, or even an informal chat to find out more, please email Careers@harrowells.co.uk

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PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Legal Assistant will work with others in the team to ensure an efficient and effective service is provided to the client. They will provide support in the following areas:

• Financial and commercial contribution
• Client service and compliance
• People and Teamwork

Responsibilities may differ between departments and teams and objectives will be agreed as part of the firm’s performance review process each year.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial and commercial contribution

The Legal Assistant will work with their Fee Earner(s) to ensure work is conducted as efficiently as possible.  Tasks will include, but are not limited to:

• Efficiently and promptly dealing with typing and editing of documents and correspondence to include wills, meeting notes, client care letters, letters of advice and other correspondence as appropriate
• Efficiently and promptly dealing with administrative tasks associated with fee-earners files
• Managing paper and online filing accurately and in a timely manner
  Ensuring files are stored and retrieved in the correct manner and files are maintained in a neat and tidy order
• Dealing with incoming and outgoing post and enclosures
• Photocopying and scanning documents to the required standard
• Opening files, and setting up opportunities on the system – entering data onto the system and contacting clients for any missing information
• Dealing with payment in of disbursements as required
• Ensuring that requests for wills are brought to the attention of the Fee Earners
• Stamping certified copies of documents
• Assisting with banking duties as required, including the finalisation and distribution of invoices

Client service and compliance:  The Legal Assistant will support the Fee Earners to ensure optimum levels of client service are delivered.  They will:

• Deal professionally with clients, colleagues and other professional agencies on the telephone and in person
• Liaise with clients on the telephone, taking messages or passing on calls as appropriate
• Accurately record messages, providing as much detail as possible and forwarding them to the appropriate person without delay
• Make appointments, arrange meetings and maintain an up-to-date Outlook diary for team members
• Provide fee earners and clients with refreshments during meetings as required
• Ensure the confidentiality and security of all the Firm’s and client’s documentation and/or information
• Ensure compliance with the Firm’s Lexcel policies
• Deal with ID checks in accordance with AML procedure and policy
• Ensure all relevant Company policies and procedures are followed

People and Teamwork: The Legal Assistant will work effectively with others to ensure the team operates effectively and people feel supported. They will provide assistance in the following areas:

• Be approachable and willing to support other team members
• Behave and treat others in line with the defined Harrowells culture
• Attend and contribute to Department meetings 

THE PERSON 

Based on feedback, our people are looking for Legal Assistants who:

• Are client focussed and value first class service
• Have a common-sense approach and a good attention to detail
• Are technically sound, and can work in an efficient, organised way
• Are ambitious, diligent, and willing to go the extra mile
• Work as a team and support colleagues
• Can communicate well, with good listening skills
• Are enthusiastic and willing to learn and develop
• Have a good sense of humour
• Want to get involved and contribute to the smooth running of the office
• Have a professional, commercial approach
• Are looking for a long-term commitment rather than a short-term role

The activities outlined in this job description aren’t exhaustive and there will be a requirement to undertake any other appropriate duties as may be required.