Secretary/legal Assistant

Forbes Solicitors are looking for a Secretary/Legal Assistant to join the** **Family Team at our Preston City Centre office**. **This is a full-time role working 36.25 hours per week, Monday Friday.

This is a great opportunity to join a collaborative and professional team. Whilst the role will be working to the fast-pace, customer focus and high standards of a law firm, the role will also provide a sustainable work-life balance and relate to the regional area in which it is based.

The role will be responsible for delivering successful outcomes such as:

- Provide effective and efficient support to Advisors through administration, planning and secretarial work.
- Successful completion of additional non-chargeable work required to deliver work to clients in a timely and efficient manner.
- Preparing and completing standard legal documents for the delivery of client work, using set processes, systems and information provided
- Drafting and proof-reading standard correspondence for any relevant stakeholders based on information provided by an Advisor.
- Taking and updating client instructions to accurately inform the department of requirements.
- Providing organisation and logístical support to Advisors and the department for the practical delivery of services to clients (e.g. diarising meetings, taking notes, organising transport and directions, liaising with clients, courts and third parties regarding arrangements required).
- Obtaining instructions and information from clients and informing them of the processes and next steps.
- Co-ordinating and liaising with counsel, experts, solicitor advocates or other third parties.
- Manage on-going communications with all external stakeholders, answering queries, managing expectations, providing updates and effectively chasing responses required and escalating appropriately.

**Organisation**
Forbes Solicitors offer the full range of legal services to individuals, commercial clients, and a number of specialist sectors where we excel nationally. We have offices across the North but our roots are firmly based in Lancashire. Our clients tell us that we stand out from other firms. We are real people who are passionate about getting the best results. Working together and listening to our clients, we provide genuine and practical advice.

We are looking for someone who displays our values; specifically someone who is their Authentic self, someone that strives for Exceptional results and someone who can work as a team and be United.

**Benefits**
We are committed to being a supportive organisation that keeps focus on our people and therefore we offer a range of additional benefits including:

- Competitive Salary;
- 33 Days Annual Leave, including bank holidays;
- Annual Leave Purchase Scheme (Subject to T&Cs);
- Celebration day;
- Bonus Scheme;
- Ongoing Training and Development;
- Progression Opportunities;
- Company Pension;
- Service Awards;
- Health Care Benefits (Health Cash Back Plan and Mental Health Counselling Services);
- Other Employee Discounts;
- Recruitment and Legal Department Referrals (Subject to T&C’s);
- Annual Events.

**Applying**
If you are interested in this role specifically or just working at Forbes Solicitors, please do head to our website to learn more about us.
- previous experience as administrator/secretary is essential;
- previous experience within a legal firm is desirable;
- have proven competence in their IT skills (outlook, word, and other systems experience);
- have the ability to work as part of a team;
- demonstrate the Forbes values;
- have excellent attention to detail and organisational skills;
- have an interest in long term development/progression in the department;
- have good communication skills, both written and verbal;
- have the ability to touch type to atleast 50 words per minute.

Forbes is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer and accredited to Investors in People and ISO 9001 quality management systems. We support the principle of equal opportunities in relation to any opportunities which we might provide through the engagement of employees; the provision of services to clients; and the appointment and engagement of suppliers. We are committed, wherever practicable, to maintaining a workforce which broadly reflects the local community in which we operate.