Legal Secretary

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 Real Estate group is one of the largest real estate teams in the UK, advising an impressive range of clients including commercial and residential developers, investors, major corporate occupiers and banks/funders. Offering exceptional market knowledge the team holds an outstanding reputation with clients and the market generally. “Clients are full of admiration for this team, noting it combines outstanding technical expertise with a “very” responsive service” (Chambers).

To assist the Real Estate team with document production and to provide secretarial and administrative support where required. 

This role includes, but is not limited to the following responsibilities:

• Supporting legal advisers in relation to data room creation, administration and access.
• Have an ability to work outside of core hours to support legal advisers with deadlines and project work.
• Document production which will often involve working on complex, long and intricate documents.
• Assisting the PAs where work volumes require which will include:
  • Opening and closing files;
  • General file management;
  • Assisting with production of monthly/quarterly reports;
  • Typing of correspondence and preparing mail for signature;
  • Preparing enclosures for mail;
  • Answering the telephone and dealing with routine enquiries, taking messages etc;
  • Making appointments/booking meeting rooms, travel arrangements and submitting expense claims for legal advisers.

• At least 12 months previous experience within a professional services environment, preferably with some experience of managing own workload.
• Positive attitude with strength of character and determination to succeed
• Ability to maintain high standards and pay close attention to detail, working in a neat, tidy and methodical way
• Excellent keyboard skills with comprehensive knowledge of Outlook, Word and data room set up.  Previous experience of using SAP preferable. 
• A willingness to work alone but within a supportive environment
• Have the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, getting things right first time
• Have a flexible and pro-active approach to work
• Excellent communication skills
• Self-confidence and ability to demonstrate initiative
• Ability to grasp things quickly and easily
• Enthusiastic, energetic with a positive, can do attitude
• Excellent presentation skills reflected in work
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times

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.