Business Administration Apprentice

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 Recoveries Services Group provides a complete range of debt recovery services utilising cutting edge technology and with specialists dealing with different debt types, all operating under a centralised management structure allowing us to deliver consistently excellent service. Our structure ensures we can provide a full range of volume recoveries and litigation options, whilst ensuring that we have the expertise and experience to deal with complex and technical issues arising from volume recoveries.

Working within our Recoveries Services team in our Solent office, you will be performing administrative and secretarial services supporting Partners and Legal Advisors.  This role requires proactive thinking to support the needs of the Legal Advisor.

• Setting up client matters, opening and closing client files.
• Case management.
• Organising both client and non-client related meetings and events ensuring that all necessary arrangements are made.
• Booking travel, accommodation and hospitality for legal advisors.
• Managing expenses, client billing and finance.
• Producing, updating and submitting client reports using excel.
• Entering and maintaining data using a variety of systems including the case management system, document management system and Microsoft Office.
• General office duties such as printing, copying, scanning and filing documents.
• Undertaking Conflict check and conflict management on new client matters.
• Written and verbal communications with both internal and external clients.
• Undertaking all client filing management and archiving tasks.
• Maintaining and updating client contact details.
• Organising meetings and writing up minutes.
• Filing and eFiling of incoming and outgoing correspondence.
• Answering the telephone and dealing with routine enquiries, transferring and directing calls around the team as required
• Preparing letters, documents and presentations using our case management system and Microsoft Office.
• Audio typing (training will be provided)
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Any other appropriate duties under the direction of the line manager for the placement, applicable to the grade and qualifications of the post.

• Minimum of 5 GCSE’s (or equivalent) grades A-C including Maths and English
• Excellent communication skills and telephone manner
• Good working knowledge of various applications – Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
• Care and attention to detail and accuracy
• Flexible with the ability to adapt to change, new practices
• Excellent presentation skills reflected in their work
• A methodical and organised approach
• 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
• Ability to prioritise, work under pressure and to deadlines
• Good listening skills
• Able to integrate within a team as well as working on ones own initiative
• Work as part of a team ensuring telephones/lunch cover
• Ability to be pro-active and deliver a quality service to both internal and external clients
• Excellent document production skills in particular within word, updating complex documents
• Self-motivated and able to work without supervision and to a high standard
• Clear credit history i.e. no outstanding bankruptcy, County Court Judgements (CCJ’s) or Attachment of Earnings
• Clear Basic Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check

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.