Legal Assistant

**Conveyancing Legal Assistant/Paralegal**

Gard and Co are seeking a legal assistant/paralegal to provide administrative support to lawyers in our wills and probate department.

Previous experience in a legal environment is essential, specific experience in private client work is highly desirable. The successful applicant will have an eye for detail, the ability to recognise problems and achieve solutions and be well organised.

**Details**

Department: Private Client

Working days: Monday to Friday

Hours: 8.30am - 5.00pm or 9:00am to 5:30pm

Status: Employed - full time, 37.5 hours per week

**Salary**: Variable depending on age

Holiday entitlement: 20 days per annum plus statutory bank holidays

Gard & Co are committed to providing the relevant training to ensure that all members of staff acquire any specialist skills and knowledge, to meet the required levels of competence.

**SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE**

1. good typing and secretarial/production skills

2. good communication and interpersonal skills

3. a drive to learn and develop an ‘all around’ awareness

4. a good general working knowledge of MS Word, excel, outlook and windows software generally

**COMPETENCIES / DUTIES**

1. to be organised in order to make a prompt start and effectively prioritise the day’s work

2. to work with the line manager and to assist the line manager to achieve their required level of organisation and or prioritisation of the day’s work

3. to type all letters, documents, correspondence, standard forms and miscellaneous text (“documents”) either from audio or copy typing as required

4. to proofread documents to minimise errors and to prepare the best draft achievable to increase efficiency by best use of legal assistant and fee earner time

5. to maintain organised and tidy files and filing cabinets

6. to maintain organised computer files of documents

7. to liaise with clients and third parties such as other firms of solicitors electronically, in person and on the telephone

8. to give and take full and accurate messages relating to any matter being handled by any member of the department

9. to maintain an organised diary system for the line manager

10. to maintain a full awareness of the line managers appointments and movements and to communicate such facts to all members of staff, particularly when the line manager is absent or is away from their desk (where confidentiality permits).

11. to liaise with other members of staff regarding the receipt of monies and the payment of disbursements as and when appropriate

12. to view, obtain, and interpret prints from the firms computerised accounts system to assist with file costing and the payment of disbursements, as required and drafting bills.

13. to act as a witness on the signature of documents, as required

14. to use initiative to conduct routine procedures for the line manager on a supervised basis when required

15. to provide holiday cover for other departmental assistants, as required

16. awareness of health & safety procedures (including fire drills)

17. to assist fee earners in the creation of new precedent letters and documents and updating of existing precedents documents to ensure maximum efficiency

18. to assist fee earners in housekeeping and generally assist in ensuring maximum efficiency within the department

19. to provide refreshments for meetings with clients and to clear away afterwards

20. to play a full part in the development of

(a) new procedures for improvement in efficiency and the department and office generally

(b) new precedent documents

24. to share new ideas and important information with colleagues and particularly with room sharers, where confidentiality permits.

25. to accurately follow instructions / advice from the line manager

26. to read, understand and follow the procedures as set down in the latest revisions of the Firm’s handbook as varied from time to time

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

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Plymouth, PL4 0BY: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person