Legal Secretary

**Who are we?**

Susan Howarth & Co. Solicitors is proud to be an independent, market town practice which was established in 1997 with the belief that everyone has a right to access justice.

With a commitment to deliver the highest quality of service to all clients, we offer high-quality legal advice in Family Law, Commercial & Residential Property and Wills, Trusts & Probate incl. Powers of Attorney & Court of Protection.

Regardless of size and geography, we’ve proved that recognition for expert legal advice, client care and excellent in service delivery can be achieved with the right goals and ambition by way of our ranking as a Band 3 Leading Family Law Firm in The Legal 500 (with Susan Howarth ranked as a Leading Individual for 3 years) and a Band 2 ranked practice in Chambers & Partners, not to mention our Lexcel accreditation for excellence in practice management and our shortlisting for the Lexis Nexis Family Law Firm of the Year (North) for 2 consecutive years.

Community-focussed and forward-thinking, we pride ourself on our people and promote organic growth.

We adopt a down-to-earth ‘all hands to the pump’ approach to working within the firm, which includes participation in practice marketing and staff events - we’re a friendly office with a family feel and an open-door policy for all.

**The role**

The prime role of the legal secretary is to provide direct support to his/her principal to enable the principal to operate at optimum efficiency. This will include but will not be limited to the main responsibilities given below. The legal secretary is expected to use a high degree of self-management and initiative.

**Key tasks**
- Acting independently from the fee earner in the conduct of client matters
- Drafting documents
- In the absence of the fee earner handle procedures
- Preparing correspondence and documents through audio-typing and word processing.
- Administering 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.
- Preparing mail and enclosures for despatch.
- Arranging for all copying to be done, in person if the office junior is not available to undertake them
- Making appointments, arranging meetings and maintaining an up-to-date diary for his/her principal including maintenance of a brought forward file system.
- Completing relevant forms and statements in relation to client matters
- Inputting data in to the firm’s computer system as required.
- Assisting in updating precedents as instructed
- Attending to clients both in person and on the telephone and providing such support in a professional and friendly manner in keeping with the firm’s standards for client care
- Ensuring the confidentiality of all the firm’s and clients’ documentation and information
- Handling all monies belonging to clients within Law Society rules and guidelines
- Liaising with members of staff in other teams or external contacts as necessary
- Prioritising workload in consultation with the fee earners concerned

**What is required?**

As a Legal Secretary you should preferably have prior experience as a legal assistant or legal secretary, ideally within a Family Law department.

You should be trained in secretarial practice, with a high level of word-processing and audio-typing skills.

We value personality, compassion, flexibility, enthusiasm, initiative and loyalty.

Additional skills required for the role include:

- A pleasant but assertive manner in dealing with colleagues and clients - tact and resilience are essential qualities
- Strong efficiency and organisational skills, with good control of diary systems and solid computer literacy
- A pragmatic approach to the workload
- Strong team player

**Job Types**: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: £18,000.00-£20,000.00 per year

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Northwich: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

- How much commercial secretarial experience do you have?
- What experience of studying and/or working within the field of Law do you have?

Work authorisation:

- United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person