Legal Assistant - Private Client, Bury St Edmunds
Location: Bury St Edmunds
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time
Closing Date: 18 April 2025
Salary: To be discussed
Specific Hours: Our core office hours are 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Flexible options can be discussed.
The Firm
Ashtons Legal is a growing firm in the East of England with a focus on providing excellent legal advice to a diverse range of individuals, institutions and executives across our region and beyond. We are a friendly and supportive team of professionals working together to make sure our clients get the best advice possible. Our firm has a flexible reward and benefits structure and a culture of openness with an innovative leadership looking to the future.
The Role
You will be required to provide high quality and experienced legal administrative support to the team of partners and fee earners. This is a varied role and as a Legal Assistant in our team, you will:
1. Update client records on databases as required and maintain records of client enquiries, change of address and contact information.
2. Work with and instruct our central support teams to ensure all files are up to date, either by e-filing or hard copy filing. Co-ordinate document/deed requests and archiving with Central Office Services.
3. Arrange appointments and manage diaries for your fee earners.
4. Ensure you work proactively with your fee earners to forward plan meetings, travel etc.
5. Liaise with clients by telephone, passing on detailed updates as requested.
6. Liaise with third parties (such as OPG, Probate Registry, HMRC) by telephone on behalf of your fee earners.
7. Co-ordinate the return of typed documents from Central Secretarial Services and action next steps including amendments where necessary.
8. Assist with drafting letters and legal documentation as required, working alongside other team members.
9. Co-ordinate document release procedure following the department protocols.
10. Carry out searches where appropriate.
11. Contribute to your team’s financial performance by proactively working with fee earners to manage their matter balances and write-offs. Initiate and drive the billing process with your fee earners.
12. Manage transaction requisitions and arrange payment of supplier invoices.
13. Run matter reports for billing, matter balances, and file closing.
14. Proactively identify matters for closure and prepare final invoice and/or return of client monies.
15. Prepare expenses claims on behalf of fee earners.
16. Prepare PowerPoint presentations for your fee earners when necessary.
17. Support the wider team when necessary, such as holiday and sickness cover.
18. Proactively support the fee earners’ business development activities.
19. Ensure you maintain continuous knowledge improvement and embrace learning and development opportunities.
Knowledge, Skills And Experience Required
1. Ideally, similar experience gained within a comparable environment and at an appropriate level.
2. High degree of competence in the use of Microsoft Office.
3. Excellent verbal and written communication, with appropriate and effective use of grammar and punctuation.
4. Attention to detail.
5. Be respectful, working with integrity and professionalism at all times.
6. Willingness to work flexibly to meet client needs.
Working pattern: Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm but negotiable.
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