Commercial PA

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 top ranking Commercial group “epitomises professionalism – they are just what in-house counsel require – very experienced; intelligent, commercially minded; and supreme negotiators” (The Legal 500). From contracts for e-business to major outsourcing projects, and whether relating to purchasing, production, marketing, selling, infrastructure or technology, our lawyers understand the need to be both commercial and apply the law in real life situations in partnering our clients to achieve their commercial objectives.

Providing a comprehensive and quality service direct to our clients.  Providing a full PA secretarial service supporting the Partner and legal advisors and where required cover any secretarial needs/absences within the rest of the team.  The role requires proactive thinking to support the needs of the Partner and legal advisors.

• Typing of correspondence and documents including Court documents and Instructions to Counsel, reports, file notes, attendance notes, commercial agreements and various versions of those agreements
• Preparing trial/ Mediation bundles
• Photocopying
• Preparing enclosures ready for signing and sending out with the post. 
• Opening and closing client files.
• Filing of incoming and outgoing correspondence, e mails and other documents and keeping this up to date.
• Reconciling payments, compiling and sending bills
• Chasing bills as per legal advisor instructions
• Expenses
• Paying suppliers and cheque requisitions
• Keeping records of closed files
• Interaction with clients mainly over the telephone
• In house forms, laser forms
• Diary management.
• Organising meetings, conferences, travel arrangements etc.

• Travel booking for legal advisers
• Answering the telephone and dealing with routine enquiries
• Use of case management system (training will be given but previous use is desirable)
• Supporting team in their marketing initiatives and activities
• Updating Interaction with client contact details and setting up alerts.

• Contentious experience desirable
• Previous experience as a Legal Secretary/PA required, ideally but not exclusively, within Commercial. IP, Data/Privacy or Litigation.
• Excellent and accurate keyboard skills required, minimum typing speed of 60 wpm. 
• Good working knowledge of various applications – Microsoft Office (e.g Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook), SAP, Digital Dictation, K2 and Legis.
• Taking care and attention with all correspondence and documentation.
• 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 and helpful approach to dealing with queries.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work at times under high pressure and on numerous tasks at once, the ability to prioritise, be organised and efficient.
• Good listening skills and empathy with clients.
• Able to integrate within a team as well as working on one’s own initiative.
• Work as part of a team ensuring telephones/lunch cover.
• Ability to deliver a quality service to 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.