Legal 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.

Clinical Negligence is headed up in Birmingham by Phil Barnes. The team deal with all areas of Claimant clinical negligence whether acting for children, adults, persons with a disability, the bereaved, the vulnerable and the elderly. Cases arise from a variety of errors including of diagnosis, treatment and follow up. The team also deal with complaints and Inquests. Through Bighand cross office working is encouraged enabling PAs to support colleagues at other locations.

Providing a comprehensive and quality service direct to our clients who are frequently distressed.  Providing a full PA secretarial service supporting one Partner and Legal Advisors and where required cover any secretarial needs/absences within the rest of the national team as well as local office where necessary.  This role requires proactive thinking to support the needs of the Legal Advisors.  This role includes but is not limited to the following:-

• Supporting the Partner on confidential Partner matters
• High volume typing of correspondence and documents including instructions to experts and counsel, reports, file notes and attendance notes
• 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 adviser 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, 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)

• Previous experience as a Legal Secretary/PA required, ideally within Clinical Negligence or similar area of law.
• Excellent and accurate keyboard skills required
• Good working knowledge of various applications – word, outlook, digital dictation (Macroview, SAP, powerpoint and excel helpful but not a necessity).
• 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 under pressure, ability to prioritise, organised and efficient.
• Good listening skills particularly empathy with consumer clients
• Able to integrate within a team as well as working on ones own initiative
• Adapt and manage the differing demands and working patterns of Legal Advisors
• 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.