Legal PA

Shoosmiths - UK Law Firm of the Year Winner at the Legal Week British Legal Awards 2015.

A leading UK law firm with a network of offices from the South Coast to Scotland, working together as one national team. An innovative practice and the first top 100 law firm to achieve “Gold Standard” Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. The lack of barriers between departments, a real lack of hierarchy, zero tolerance for arrogance and pomposity makes Shoosmiths a fantastic place to work.

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 team of three partners, three senior associates, two associates and four other legal advisers helps clients across the industry, including 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.

An exciting new opportunity to join the Leeds office to provide a full PA secretarial service to support Partners and Legal Advisors within the Real Estate practice group including construction. This role requires a can-do approach and proactive thinking to support the needs of Legal Advisors and the office.

• Typing of correspondence, documents and bills
• Typing reports, file notes and attendance notes
• Preparing enclosures ready for signing and sending out with the post
• Opening and closing clients and matter files
• Land Registry and Companies House searches
• Preparing JCT building contracts and warranties for professionals and sub-contractors
• Preparing bonds and novation agreements
• Preparing appointment documents
• Preparing post completion bibles
• Conflict and AML searches
• Filing of incoming and outgoing post and correspondence
• Compiling and sending bills
• Chasing bills as per Legal Advisor instruction
• Expenses and cheque requisitions
• Keeping records of closed files
• Interaction with clients mainly over the telephone
• In house forms, laser forms (credit notes)
• Diary management
• Organising meetings, travel arrangements etc.

• Previous experience of working within a Commercial Property/Real Estate/Construction department within a law firm is essential.
• Excellent and accurate keyboard skills required, as you will be required to obtain typing speeds to a minimum of 60 wpm.
• Good working knowledge of various applications — word, outlook, digital dictation (PowerPoint and excel helpful but not a necessity).
• Flexible with the ability to adapt to change, new practices and cope under pressure.
• 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, helpful with a positive can-do approach.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise, be organised and efficient.
• Good listening skills.
• Able to integrate within a team as well as working on one’s own initiative.
• Ability to deliver a quality service to both internal and external clients.

Shoosmiths is a committed Equal Opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.