Film & TV Personal Assistant

JOB TITLE : Legal PA

GROUP : Film & TV

REPORTING TO : Jacqueline Hurt, Partner

TERM : 12 month fixed-term contract (maternity leave)

HOURS : Full-time, 9:30am – 5:30pm, Monday to Friday with one hour for lunch. A flexible approach to working hours is a must, overtime may be required at busy times.

We currently operate a hybrid working policy with at least 3 days office working per week. Our hybrid working policy is discretionary and may be subject to change.

ABOUT SHERIDANS

Sheridans is a leading London law firm whose lawyers combine the in-depth legal knowledge and breadth of expertise and experience required to give unparalleled advice to their clients.

Since 1956, Sheridans has represented individuals and organisations across a wide variety of sectors, providing quality advice which is commercially focussed and personally delivered. Specialist lawyers in leisure, media and entertainment work closely alongside the firm’s corporate finance, employment, real estate and dispute resolution groups to provide a truly bespoke service to its clients.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Sheridans’ Film & TV team represents high profile and up-and-coming talent, script writers, directors, producers, performers, presenters, actors, comedians, artists, and celebrities, as well as leading US studios, SVOD platforms, broadcasters, financiers, distributors and brands.

The team currently consists of 6 partners, 10 Associates, 1 Trainee and supported by 5 personal assistants.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Legal PA with previous experience in a busy Film & TV law department to join our team. Covering a period of maternity leave on a 12-month fixed term contract, the successful individual will have the chance to develop their career further by primarily supporting one Partner and assisting the wider PA team to cover other fee earners when required. We offer a close-knit and inclusive environment where you will be encouraged to fully participate, share ideas and become a key part of the team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Consistently delivering a high-quality work product while managing deadlines.
• Initiating and overseeing the file matter opening process, including due diligence and liaison with clients regarding ID documents, escalating to the compliance team when appropriatee.
• Assisting Principal fee earners and paralegals with day-to-day matter transaction management (filing emails/documents, updating checklists, organiszing group calls, etc.).
• Preparing both paper and electronic transaction bibles, including creating a detailed index, photocopying, scanning, and collating documents to be sent to the client and to be used internally.
• Preparing files for closings and archiving.
• Extensive document work, including preparing redline/comparison documents using CompareDocs/pdfDocs and daily printing tasks including Excel spreadsheets. Daily tTyping tasks using handwritten amendsand amending correspondence and documents as required.
• Printing, oOrganiszing and scanning documents and emails into the document management/file management system (iManage and LawmanLawman).
• Extensive diary management for Principalfee earner allocation: arranging meetings, lunches, and scheduling conference calls taking full ownership, chasing and liaising with attendees, both internal and external. Organiszing travel and preparing itineraries when appropriates for fee earners.
• Preparation and coordination of accurate monthly client bills, including proof reading and amending narratives each month.
• Accurately updating, maintaining, and managing fee earners’ client contact lists and assisting the team with organizing Business Development initiatives.
• Processing expenses for fee earners in a timely manner and, when applicable, for the wider team.
• Assisting with coordinating, scheduling, planning, organizing, and running key industry insider events throughout the year.
• Working closely with other PAs and business support departments.
• Assisting the team with general administration.
• Providing cover and support to the other PAs within the team/firm as and when required .

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties, and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the Firm and the overall business needs.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

Skills & experience

• Previous experience in a busy Film & TV, or production finance team
• Demonstrated high level effective experience as a Legal PA
• Advanced typing ability
• Advanced skill level with the Microsoft suite (Outlook, Word, Excel), pdfDocs, Adobe and DocuSign
• High level of proactivity and mature confidence to make key decisions when required
• Familiarity with GDPR and ability to adhere to confidentiality / compliance procedures and the ability to act with discretion whilst maintaining privacy
• A methodical approach to work with a strong focus on accuracy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience liaising with senior internal stakeholders
• Enthusiasm, resilience, and a professional approach with ability to act decisively and calmly whilst under pressure
• Self-starting approach, taking ownership of matters, tasks and projects and the ability to work under own initiative and motivation
• Comfortable sharing knowledge with other team members, upskilling and supporting other team members when necessary
• Commitment to being a collaborative team player and fostering an attitude that promotes comradery, creativity and innovation
• Ability to liaise with, persuade and influence colleagues and clients at all levels
• Ability to remain organised, prioritise and multi-task particularly when managing a large workload under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Ability to work confidentially, remaining discreet at all times
• Flexibility towards working out of regular hours at busy times

Qualifications

• Accomplished academic background – i.e. strong GCSE results
• Qualifications such as CILEx Level 3 Diploma for Legal Secretaries are desired, but not essential

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Our aim is for all staff to feel welcomed at Sheridans and ultimately be their true self at work. We are proud to promote inclusion & diversity among clients, candidates, and staff as an equal opportunities employer. It is our policy to support people who hold Protected Characteristics (under the Equality Act 2010) both internally and externally through supporting practices based solely upon merit.

HOW TO APPLY

If you would like to apply, please email us using recruitment@sheridans.co.uk and include the following to allow us to consider your application:

• An up-to-date copy of your CV
• A covering letter
• Any details in relation to nationality and visa requirements, if relevant
• Your salary expectations
• Your notice period and availability to commence a role with Sheridans

AGENCY NOTICE

From time to time, we partner with recruitment agencies to assist us with our resourcing needs. Please note that we are not currently seeking agency support for this vacancy and any unsolicited submissions will not be considered.