Overall purpose of the role
The prime role of the PA is to provide direct support to the fee earners to enable them to operate at optimum efficiency. This will include but will not be limited to the main responsibilities given below. The PA is expected to use a high degree of self management and initiative.
Purpose of the department
To advise clients and other departments in civil and commercial litigation matters.
Key tasks, duties and quality standardsÂ
- Prepare correspondence and documents to include transcribing digital dictation.
- Prepare mail and enclosures for dispatch.
- Progress client matters without fee earner supervision and in the absence of a fee earner.
- Make appointments, arrange meetings and to maintain an up to date diary for their fee earners.
- Attend clients both in person and on the telephone and to provide such support in a professional and friendly manner in keeping with the firm’s standards for client care.
- Administer filing which will include daily filing and the opening, closing, storage and retrieval of client files in accordance with the detailed procedures contained in the office manual.
- Arrange for all copying to be done, in person if an Office Assistant is not available to undertake the task.
- If appropriate, prepare the conference room for meetings as necessary and for the tidying and clearance of the room at the end of the meeting and to provide refreshments if asked to do so.
- Provide support to other PAs/secretaries as required.
- Provide guidance to junior and temporary secretaries when required to do so.
- Undertake any specific training when required to do so and overall to have a responsibility towards self-development.
- Ensure the confidentiality of all the firm’s and clients’ documentation and information.
- Undertake on-line form filling requirements.
- Operate the firm’s case management system.
- Consider improvements to the efficiency of the department.
- Undertake other duties as from time to time required.
This job description is non exhaustive and the firm reserves the right to vary the duties and responsibilities of the post holder at any time according to the needs of the firm’s business.
Essential personal qualities and attributes/skills, knowledge and abilities
- Substantial previous legal secretarial experience including at least 2 years’ experience in dispute resolution (for the PA role). Legal Secretary or Senior Secretary level if less experienced in dispute resolution.
- Excellent touch-typing speed with high accuracy levels.
- Advanced IT skills.
- Keeps up with fee earners’ work production and has a very good understanding of how their fee earners like to work.
- Demonstrates a pro-active approach to work with a positive attitude.
- Demonstrates an excellent level of attention to client service, being able to interact well with both internal and external clients.
- Demonstrates ability and willingness to work to deadlines, to cope under pressure, to prioritise workload effectively and to work as part of a team.
- Demonstrates clear commitment to the firm and a genuine interest in legal work.
- Demonstrates a high level of courtesy and respect in dealing with clients, colleagues and contacts.
- Demonstrates a willingness to take on other tasks as required by fee earner(s).
Desirable skills, knowledge and abilities
- Prior knowledge of Practice Evolve or other case management systems.
- Knowledge of law/legal practice.
Contact us
If you are interested, please send your CV and covering letter to jobs@twmsolicitors.com.
TWM Solicitors (www.twmsolicitors.com) is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
No agencies please
