Legal Assistant
Responsible to : Anna Hall Commercial Property Partner
Salary: Dependent on experience but range £18-£22,000
Purpose of Job:
The role of the Legal Assistant is to provide a variety of support services within the Private Client/Residential and Commercial Property Department. Call volumes are high and the Department is busy at all times. As a result applicants must be highly organised and client focused.
Please note that candidates with an LPC qualification or similar are welcome to apply, however no training contracts are available at present.
Principal duties and responsibilities:
1. Assist on a daily basis with audio typing based tasks including letters, memos and emails.
2. Assist with the completion of standard forms and legal documents (training provided).
3. Accurately prepare draft Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney forms and to deal with both initial enquiries and the witnessing of documents where required (training provided).
4. Deal with telephone enquiries from clients and from others and attend in person on clients
visiting the office to deal with simple enquiries.
5. Effectively manage the financial aspects of all client files for which the Partner is responsible including disbursements, bills, transfer of completion monies and the preparation of financial statements.
6. Ensure the confidentiality of all of the firm's and the clients' documents and information.
7. Open new files and update as required.
8. Carry out conveyancing and other legal searches
9. Update clients, estate and land agents and others on matter progress.
10. Liaise with other firms of solicitors as required to update and to obtain information
11. Carry out fact finding enquiries with clients and others as necessary.
12. Obtain redemption statements, report to clients, deal with completions and redemption of charges including the drafting and issue of charge release forms.
13. Undertake basic legal research as required and report to Partner in note form.
14. Participate in marketing activities as required.
15. Comply with the detailed procedures contained in the firm's manuals.
16. Provide reception cover during absences and answer external telephone calls at all times.
17. Provide support for the Partner during holiday absences particularly during longer periods of time in the school holidays.
18. Any other duties within a support role which may be required from time to time to assist the Partner in providing a first class service to clients.
Personal Specification
Knowledge and experience within a legal setting although not necessarily in a directly comparable role
First class IT skills
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Team player with the ability to get on with colleagues and others
Takes the initiative and with the confidence to exercise their own good judgment without the need for full time support but with the ability to recognise when matters need to be referred back to the Partner.
Highly organised with the ability to work to deadlines and to cope with pressure and to prioritise conflicting objectives without reliance on others.
Able to deal appropriately with confidential information.
Able to deal with clients independent of the Partner when required and to provide a great support role during School holidays.
Good understanding of property law and conveyancing procedure although training will be given to the right candidate.
Ability to spell and type accurately and with a good understanding of the basic rules of grammar.
This is an excellent opportunity to advance your career and to work independently within a highly pressurised environment. There is a possibility to advance into a more autonomous role in time for the right person.
Please provide a full CV with particular emphasis on any aspect of practical experience or training which may be relevant for the role to Martin Lane, Partnership Director
mlane@edmondsonhall.com
Social Work Graduate Scheme
MacIntyre is one of the leading providers of services to adults and children with learning disabilities in the UK.We are looking for graduates as passionate about social care as ourselves, to join our graduate scheme in September 2013.
As a graduate recruit at MacIntyre, you will be employed in a permanent position. You will work within a school as a 'Support Worker' or out in the community as a 'Community Learning Facilitator'. You will work as part of a wider inter-specialist team, putting together educational and support plans for children and young people that have a range of learning disabilities, autism or wider social / emotional difficulties. You will then support students to achieve their goals and to meet their needs.
If you are successful , you will have gained a place on one of the few social care graduate schemes in the country. We will offer you exceptional training around management and leadership, hands on methodology and theory and wider sector concepts so that you are equipped to develop your career further in your chosen field.
This is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking for a career in social care or for graduates who are looking for a relevant professional role before returning to study in fields such as Psychology, Education or Social Care / work.
For an information pack please contact the recruitment team on 01908 230100 or jobs@macintyrecharity.org quoting GRADSCHEME