Our national Employment team is widely respected for providing an excellent service, providing pragmatic and timely legal advice to its highly regarded client base. The team primarily works with employer clients along with some individual advisory work and a mix of both contentious and non-contentious matters. We also have specialists in advocacy, corporate work and business immigration. Main responsibilities
* PA support to Regional Leader of South Employment Team (Solent, TV, MK and Nottingham).
* Secretarial support to the Employment Legal Advisers in MK, South Team and/or others within the National Employment Team, as required
* File management.
* Arranging internal and external meetings, via Teams.
* Archiving, requesting and returning files from archive.
* Organise in-person meetings and/or refreshments with clients and prospective clients. Booking a meeting room and car parking space where appropriate.
* Booking train tickets via Click Travel.
* Manage and process Legal Advisers expenses.
* Opening and closing of files.
* Assisting with preparation and issuing of client engagement letters/terms.
* Creating client collaborative portals.
* Taking and dealing with new employment calls via switchboard, fielding calls where appropriate.
* Diary management for the MK Legal Advisers, eg meetings, tri-annual conversations etc.
* Checking Legal Advisers inboxes/correspondence when absent and to ensure any urgent correspondence is dealt with.
* Printing, copying and collating documentation.
* Assisting with invoicing, downloading time narratives, prepare simple correspondence for Legal Advisers approval and sending invoices to clients.
* Preparing and distributing client monthly billing reports, or as and when required by the Legal Advisers.
* Assist with credit control, chasing clients for payment of outstanding invoices.
* Cheque/account indents, following the accounting processes.
* Supporting Business Development events.
* Electronic bundling and liaising with Employment Tribunals and Counsel.
* Digital dictation of file notes, letters, documents etc.
* Typing and preparation of post and enclosures.
* Assist in the preparation of pitch/credentials documents, liaising with Business Development to ensure best results.
* Acting as the liaison for booking meeting rooms at our London offices and ordering catering on behalf of clients.
* Liaise with the NET PAs, collaborating, sharing ideas etc.
* Holiday cover when other PAs are on holiday.
* Handle telephone queries from internal staff.
Previous PA experience in a similar role within legal within Employment Litigation and ideally Commercial.
* Self-motivated and able to work without supervision and to a high standard
* Excellent and accurate keyboard skills required, as you will be required to obtain typing speeds to a minimum of 65 wpm.
* Excellent knowledge of key Microsoft applications - Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
* Good working knowledge of digital dictation
* Knowledge of billing/time recording systems desirable (but training would be given)
* Taking care and attention in all correspondence and documentation
* Flexible with the ability to adapt to change, new practices and prioritisation of competing tasks and timescales
* Excellent presentation skills reflected in their work
* A methodical and organised approach with keen attention paid to every detail
* Good organisational skills to ensure that the tasks are effectively scheduled within working time available, and that urgent work is completed and returned within the specified timescales
* Friendly and helpful approach to dealing with queries
* Excellent communication skills and telephone manner
* Ability to prioritise, be organised and efficient
* Ability to work under pressure
* Have a good sense of humour
* Good listening skills and ability to respond to feedback
* Able to integrate within a team as well as working on one's own initiative
* Work as part of a team ensuring telephones/lunch cover
* Ability to be proactive and deliver a quality service to both internal and external clients
Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world's most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve 'Platinum Standard' Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm., Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.
We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.
To discover more about our benefits, please visit: Benefits Package The team