Legal Secretary

**We currently have an opportunity for a Legal Secretary at our Kidderminster office in the Private Client Division. This is a permanent position working 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. A competitive salary will be offered depending on experience.**

**PURPOSE OF ROLE**

To provide effective secretarial and administrative support within the Private Client division, carrying out work to the highest possible standards through adherence to the firm's guidelines and policies. To be committed to a high level of client service and strive for continuous professional development.

**PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

**Tasks and Activities**:
1. To assist with file management and ensure consistent reviews of files.

2. To ensure accurate time recording of all work undertaken by your Fee Earner.

3. To undertake such work as may be delegated by your Fee Earner or Partner in relation to client matters or any administrative duties that may be required.

4. To assist your Fee Earner or Partner in prioritising the client matter and when appropriate advise the client and others of the progress of the matter.

5. To attend to clients and others where needed on behalf of the Fee Earner or Partner, taking accurate instructions for your Fee Earner's attention.

6. To undertake all work of a secretarial nature as may be requested by any Fee Earner including typing, word processing, photocopying, making and taking phone calls.

7. To take and record accurately any message and pass the same on to the appropriate person without delay.

8. To make appointments and maintain up to date diary entries.

9. To deal with filing, storage and retrieval of client's papers and files, opening and closing of files, storage of deeds and other papers all in accordance with firm policies.

10. To correctly identify and differentiate between DX, Royal Mail post and hand or other deliveries.

11. To undertake any other duties as may be allocated by the Fee Earner or Partner from time to time.

**Generic Responsibilities and Expected Standards**:
1. To assist with the implementation of good working practices, maintain a high standard of work and client service/care within your area of responsibility, in accordance with the firm’s policies, procedures and guidelines and/or as directed by your line manager.

2. To use initiative on all matters.

3. To ensure confidentiality and security for all firm and client documentation and information.

4. To undertake any specific training course as and when required.

5. To effectively demonstrate the firm’s values and behaviours at all times.

6. To maintain clear and precise communications with other members of staff and assist other secretaries when required.

7. To develop good working relationships with external institutions, organisations and other third parties.

8. To ensure that any equipment supplied for the purpose of your work (including computer, printer/copier, franking machine and post systems) is used correctly, maintained and any defects/faults are reported.

9. To ensure that Health & Safety principles and safe working practices are followed at all times. Employees have a legal duty that gives them responsibility, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that they do not endanger themselves or anyone else by their acts or omissions.

10. To cooperate with the firm on Health & Safety matters and do not interfere with or misuse anything provided for health, safety and welfare purposes.

11. To keep areas of work clean and tidy.

12. All employees have a responsibility to carry out their work with due regard for the environment. The firm’s Environmental Policy and procedures relevant to your area must be followed.

**PERSON SPECIFICATION**

**Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Attitudes**

1. A proficient level of literacy and numeracy.

2. Competent touch and audio typist.

3. Experience of working within a team environment.

4. Experience of data entry and/or text processing.

6. Ability to interact effectively with others, both face to face and over the telephone, including an excellent telephone manner and comfortable dealing with clients.

7. Proactive and able to work on own initiative.

8. Organised and methodical with the ability to multi-task, prioritise and work in a fast paced environment.

9. Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.

10. Committed to excellent client service.

11. Focused on achieving goals, adopting a can do attitude.

12. Highly motivated and willing to learn.

13. Ability to use shorthand desirable.

14. An understanding of and adherence to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and maintaining confidentiality and integrity at all times.

**SUMMARY**

The details outlined in this job description reflect the content of the post at the date the job description was prepared. It is inevitable that over time the nature of a defined job role will change, existing duties may be lost and other duties gained without changing the gene