Owen Reed is looking to recruit a skilled Legal PA – Disputes (2043) to join a top law firm in Leeds.

Salary
Competitive

Location
Leeds

Vacancy Type
Secretarial Services

Business Area
Secretarial Services

Contract Type
Permanent

Full time/Part time
Full Time

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
Due to the continued growth and success of the Firm, we are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic secretarial professional to join our Leeds based Disputes practice.

As a Legal PA, you will provide high quality, proactive and experienced support to a team of Partners and wider fee earners, ensuring the smooth day to day management of non-legal tasks such as, complex diary management, billing and matter management and business development activity.

Managing a varied workload, you will collaborate with broader business areas including Finance, Office of the General Counsel and Business Development, ensuring that colleagues and clients receive first-class secretarial support.

DUTIES

• Work collaboratively with all Finance teams to proactively support fee earners’ financial performance including client billing and reports, management of matter balances and working capital
• Work closely with Business Development to support fee earners on organisation and attendance of events and conferences; CRM administration; production of and updating fee earner CV’s; using the Business Development hub and credentials database; assisting with bids, tenders and pilots
• Where your allocated fee earner is a Client Relationship Partner (CRP) for a Client Universe Client, assist the Business Development team with organising and attending core team and relationship meetings; organisation and attendance of events; assist with compiling regular client reports as required
• Undertake all matter management processes, applying correct rates at opening, prompt preparation of engagement letters, matter specifications and liaising with the Business Acceptance Unit as required
• Conflict check and Client Due Diligence processes, accurately completing the end to end Client Matter Inception (CMI) process whilst adhering to Firmwide best practice protocols
• Ensure all file management processes are undertaken correctly by identifying matters for closure, bills are paid, clearing client balance, WIP and archiving completed files
• Comprehensive diary management including forward planning, proactive travel and meeting arrangements, identifying meeting clashes and resolving independently where appropriate
• Identifying and recommending cost efficient options for complex travel arrangements
• Ensure all meeting requirements are identified and actioned, including proactive preparation of meeting packs, itineraries, room and hospitality resource
• Utilise the Cube, centralised administrative team who provide comprehensive ‘on the floor’ support to Lawyers and PAs in each office, on all administrative tasks, taking ownership to ensure tasks are completed and delivered to fee earners in a timely and accurate way
• Delegate appropriate tasks to Document Production including pitch and tender documents, conversion and amendment of legal documents and transcripts
• Demonstrate technical competency in order to support fee earners, identify and address knowledge gaps to fulfil all elements of the role
• Adheres to the firm’s risk and compliance policies and procedures and raises any issues or queries promptly with the relevant department

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED (BESPOKE TO ROLE)
• At least five years’ experience (or equivalent) gained within a comparable environment and at an appropriate level
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with appropriate and effective use of grammar and punctuation
• Willingness to work flexibly to meet client needs
• High degree of competence in the use of Microsoft Office suite
• Proven experience of exceptional client service
• Detail focussed and experience of working in a fast-paced office environment
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as a member of a team, as well as being able to work independently
• Commitment to exceeding expectations and goals