Our client, a successful legal firm based in Gerrards Cross, is looking for an experienced Legal Assistant (ideally with property) to join them.
The successful candidate will provide legal administrative support to Conveyancers and Solicitors in the management of their caseloads by undertaking legal procedures in line with Lexcel and SRA requirements.
This is a hybrid role (3 days in and 2 from home).
Benefits include
- Flexible and hybrid working
- Technology - provision of laptop and mobile phone
- Training and development
- Modern, bright, agile working offices
- Free fruit and breakfast
- Active sports and social calendar with LLP subsidised/funded events
- Free car parking
Duties
- Handle client queries that arise from "drop ins" and enquiry calls completing and passing on new matter enquiry forms as required
- Prepare initial quotes, liaising with potential clients and assisting with queries through to successful instruction
- Open, maintain and close client and internal files in accordance with standard procedures
- Produce initial draft documents, reports and letters; carry out typing duties for fee earners (audio and copy) ensuring work is correctly prepared in accordance with the firm's standards and precedents
- Carry out appropriate searches on direction of lawyers and follow up as necessary
- Download documents as required from relevant authorities, Land Registry etc. and prepare necessary Land Registry application forms, SDLT Returns and deal with follow up under supervision of lawyers
- Prepare and handle completion of transactions including the preparation of completion statements
- Maintain lawyers' diaries and make appointments
- Liaise with the Accounts Department as appropriate to ensure timely and accurate accounts administration - to include paying in and requesting cheques, completing expenses and client entertainment forms, CHAPS payment forms
- Assist in collecting all outstanding costs and disbursements from clients and alert the lawyers if levels of unpaid costs exceed those levels recorded as budget estimates
- Record matter related time with a view to fees being billed for lawyers or for self (if requested)
Skills and Experience
- At least 2 years' experience of working as Legal Assistant preferably within the Property Department of a Law Firm
- Satisfactory knowledge of the day-to-day operations of a legal office
- A client-centered focus
- A team orientated approach
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Good computer literacy skills
- Working knowledge of case management software
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Able to juggle multiple activities and work under pressure
- A friendly and approachable nature with an enthusiastic approach to the job
Please note that we will only contact those candidates that we assess as suitable for the positions we have currently available based on their experience, training, and skills. If we do not have anything suitable, we will not keep your CV for more than 30 days.
As an equal opportunity employer, Bucks and Berks Recruitment is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply.