The firm
Birketts is an ambitious full service, top 50 UK law firm, operating in East Anglia, Essex, London and the surrounding areas. With a rich heritage spanning over 150 years we've built an enviable track record advising businesses, institutions and individuals in the UK and internationally.
Throughout our history our ethos has remained simple: we provide clear legal advice and value and insight to our clients.
We believe that through this approach and a combination of technical excellence and high quality service we can develop long-lasting partnerships and become our clients' solicitor of choice.
The department
Birketts has one of the highest regarded and largest dedicated property teams within the country, that numbers over 100 specialists. Our property lawyers are particularly experienced in dealing with development and investment, planning, secured lending and landlord and tenant matters.
Together, as a collaborative firm, we have over 1000 people working with us and we are ranked highly in the Legal 500 across all areas we practice in. We are people orientated, offering a dynamic, progressive and supportive culture where you can learn from our Partners and Senior Associates who are experts in their field.
Purpose of job
Our Real Estate division are looking to recruit a Administrator to come and be part of our Real Estate Finance team in Norwich to provide professional, proactive, high level support to an allocated group of fee earners as well as the wider fee earning team.
We are a multi-disciplinary team, used to working together on major projects and across multiple transactions. The breadth of our expertise means that we provide our clients with a fully comprehensive service.
This is an opportunity to join a highly regarded and expert team which has experienced significant growth in recent years and with high profile tender wins that growth is set to continue.
Accountabilities
The role of Administrator does not require you to have any experience or knowledge of Property but the role will require you to have the technical ability to open and close files, produce and amend documents with speed and accuracy; format and and present documents in Birketts LLP 'house style' and proof read all work, checking for spelling and grammar.
You will proactively work with the fee earners to ensure relevant documentations are produced to meet clients' expectations and deadlines, manage diaries in Outlook and make all necessary travel arrangements.
You will prepare papers for meetings, dealing with any necessary paperwork following meetings attended by fee earners.
Further accountability could include:
- Process all forms including new client form, new matter form, money laundering form, accounts forms etc;
- Preparation and updating reports for internal and external purposes;
- Immediately clarify instructions from fee earners should they be unclear or if deadlines are not made explicit;
- Respond to internal and external telephone enquiries politely and professionally and take accurate telephone messages (name/number/company), passing them on to the relevant fee earners etc.
- Opening and closing matters
- Production of accounts forms
- Obtaining and processing ID documentation and liaising with our risk and compliance team.
- Producing and collating deeds packets and retrieving files and documents from storage
- Filing post (hard copy and electronically)
The candidate
You will have the ability to contribute at an operational level, with excellent communication skills and can demonstrate general skills in:
- Strong administration experience;
- Positive, enthusiastic and professional approach;
- Strong attention to detail, high level organisational skills and reliable;
- Team player
- Self-motivated with an ability to use own initiative with a desire to learn.
Equal opportunities
We are committed to recruiting individuals on merits of suitability for each role, on the basis of qualifications and experience. All applications are treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, disability, religious beliefs and any other protected characteristic, ensuring that there are equal opportunities at all stages of the recruitment process.
Benefits
One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we are appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. A competitive salary and benefits package is given but you can also expect a great team and supportive colleagues, a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, a programme of wellbeing and mental health support and structured career development and study support.
- 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays rising with service
- Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
- Private Healthcare - BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
- Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
- Staff Profit Share / Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
- Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
- Paid ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) day
- Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Season Ticket Loan
- Gym Flex membership
- Electric car scheme
- Dress for your Day Policy
- Agile Working Policy
Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile and part time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.