The firm
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.
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
Our construction and engineering team advises on all aspects of legal construction matters, from strategic advice on procurement and institutional and market expectations at project inception, to contentious aspects of projects during and after the completion of a project. The national team of nine partners and 25 other legal advisers helps clients across the industry, including investors, developers, contractors, sub-contractors, consultants and funding and letting entities. We advise on development work, major infrastructure projects, real estate and corporate acquisition work. Remediation and environmental advice, and process plant and power generation projects are also specialisms in which the team has particular expertise.
The role
Providing a full PA secretarial service supporting Partners and Legal Advisors and where required cover any secretarial absences within the rest of the office where necessary. This role requires proactive thinking to support the needs of the Legal Advisor.
Main responsibilities
1. PA support to Partners and LA’s which includes confidential matters, diary management, organising meetings, events, expenses, travel arrangements etc
2. Typing of documents, letters, emails, updating, tracking and amending
3. Printing and binding final documents
4. Preparing enclosures ready for signing and sending out with the post.
5. Opening and closing client files.
6. Archiving files
7. Filing of incoming and outgoing post and correspondence.
8. Compiling and sending bills, chasing bills as per Legal Advisor instruction
9. Cheque requisitions
10. Keeping records of closed files
11. Interaction with clients mainly over the telephone
12. Delta view
13. Answering the telephone and dealing with routine enquiries
Skills and qualifications
14. Excellent and accurate keyboard skills required, as you will be required to obtain typing speeds to a minimum of 60 wpm.
15. Ideally PA experience within Construction, Real Estate or Litigation practice areas
16. Good working knowledge of various applications – word, outlook, digital dictation (powerpoint and excel helpful but not a necessity).
17. Taking care and attention into all correspondence and documentation
18. Flexible with the ability to adapt to change, new practices and cope under pressure
19. Excellent presentation skills reflected in their work
20. A methodical and organised approach with keen attention paid to every detail
21. 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.
22. Friendly and helpful approach to dealing with queries
23. Excellent communication skills and telephone manner
24. Ability to prioritise, be organised and efficient
25. Ability to work under pressure
26. Good listening skills
27. Able to integrate within a team as well as working on ones own initiative
28. Work as part of a team ensuring telephones/lunch cover
29. Ability to be pro-active and deliver a quality service to both internal and external clients