Secretary

Farrer & Co is an independent law firm, with a rich history. A centuries-long tradition of advising private families, individuals and charitable institutions is today complemented by our work with Businesses, Financial Services, Individuals, Families and Family Offices (IFFO), Education and Not For Profit organisations.

We look to be the market leader in our chosen areas of expertise, advising clients on the contentious and non-contentious legal, business and personal issues they face.

Our reputation and success is based on the goodwill of numerous close client relationships. We are trusted advisers, acting in our clients' long-term interests and paying careful attention to quality and personal service.

Our clients tell us they value us for our integrity, good judgement and professional excellence, as well as our broad perspective, practical solutions and value for money. They describe us as 'a likeable bunch' too.

Our dispute resolution team handles a full range of litigation matters, from contract claims to large scale, complex multi-jurisdictional disputes and judicial review.  We regularly appear in the High Court and the Court of Protection as well as courts in the Channel Islands and overseas.  We also have significant experience of alternative dispute resolution and, in particular, arbitration and mediation.  We act for a broad array of clients including individuals, businesses ranging from small family businesses to significant corporates, banks, trustees and trust companies as well as schools, higher education institutions and not-for-profit organisations.  Our experience across this range of sectors ensures that our litigators understand the impact which a dispute can have on both an individual and at an organisational level.  Each dispute requires a tailored solution, and we are committed to working quickly with you to identify and understand the issues you are facing in order to achieve the best possible result.

We are looking for an extremely organised and proactive secretary to provide a high level of professional support to their allocated Fee Earners as well as other members of the Department. The candidate will be experienced in their specialist area but will be expected to be flexible to cover the broader remit of the Department. They will be highly motivated, display outstanding attention to detail and have the ability to multitask with ease.  It is essential that they are a strong team player with a positive, up-beat approach.

Organisational Support

• Effective and proactive diary management, and awareness of Fee Earners' workloads to plan ahead, with minimal supervision
• Processes relevant applications, forms or searches, with minimal supervision
• Has an excellent knowledge of all systems/processes used within the Department
• Is professional and maintains effective communications with clients and Fee Earners
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge and understanding of Fee Earners' matters to enable a proactive support service
• Researches new clients/contacts and prepares bios before meetings, and conducts basic research (on-line or otherwise) for Fee Earners when required
• Arranges travel and any other activities on behalf of others, where appropriate
• Uses initiative and takes a pro-active approach to work by regularly seeking ways to improve the level of secretarial support provided to Fee Earners and to the wider Department, developing techniques and systems for coping with time and deadline pressures

Client Relationship and Business Development

• Provides excellent service to clients, both internal and external, in a timely and professional manner, presenting a positive image of the Firm at all times
• Acts as a first point of contact for Fee Earners
• Provides assistance in the delivery of marketing communications, and records all business development meetings in InterAction, and sets up reminders where follow-ups are needed with prospects on InterAction or other systems/logs as required
• Recognises, respects and honours client confidentiality at all times
• Organises business development meetings and events for Fee Earners, and assists in the production of business development materials in liaison with Marketing
• Demonstrates a good knowledge about the type of work that the Department carries out, in order to be able to assist with new client enquiries
• Enables the Firm to provide bespoke communications to key contacts by being aware of particular client requirements and ensuring that these are catered for where possible
• Proactively builds an understanding and knowledge of clients and organisations to help Fee Earners develop future relevant opportunities for both their Team and other areas of the Firm

Document Production

• Creates typed work of a high quality, formatting in accordance with house style, at high speed, with accuracy and following internal guidelines
• Makes effective use of the Document Management System
• Creates new documents from the Firm’s templates, using contact data from InterAction where appropriate
• Proof-reads all documents for spelling, grammar and sense, querying wording where appropriate
• Proactively uses initiative to compose and send on behalf of Fee Earners, correspondence requiring focused concentration and attention to detail
• Acts as a role model and mentor to others in document production. Assisting and advising Fee Earners on house style. Works with IT to help to develop, improve and test document production templates and Department precedents

IT Skills/Systems

• Has attained super-user level of proficiency in core IT applications including the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and is sought out as a source of help from others in the Department
• Makes suggestions for additional training, as required
• Works with IT to help to develop and improve systems, acting as a focal point for testing and providing constructive and professional feedback

File Management

• Adopts a pro-active approach and works with Fee Earners  effectively, to maintain regular file management, ensuring all files are up to date, closed and archived, as appropriate
• Keeps accurate records of all files sent to off-site storage via Records
• Re-profiles any incorrect e-filing, works with the Team to address issues and supports the transition to a paperless office where possible

Financial Risk Management

• Prepares bills (including bill narratives) with minimal supervision, as required by Fee Earners
• Prepares AML documentation and obtains relevant documentation from clients in a timely manner, as required by Fee Earners and advises of client AML procedures
• Carries out conflict searches and correctly identifies the work type
• Liaises with credit control and alerts Fee Earners of unpaid bills
• Deals with time-recording matters as required by Fee Earners
• Regularly monitors finance related KPIs
• Pro-actively manages billing processes in accordance with Department's billing cycle
• Has an excellent knowledge and application of the Firm's procedures in billing, AML, credit control and debt management, and acts as a mentor to others in the Department

• Has excellent timekeeping and prioritises work effectively
• Is flexible, reliable, co-operative and has a professional approach to work
• Works as a positive, friendly and helpful team player
• Communicates in a positive and constructive manner and always interacts in good faith and demonstrates effective listening
• Uses initiative and takes a proactive approach to work by regularly seeking ways to improve secretarial support
• Positively supports and promotes change within the Department
• Acts as a role model in promoting and championing new ideas and supporting the Firm’s change programmes
• Adjusts approach to work as the demands require
• Respectfully and confidently puts forward solutions when dealing with competing demands from Fee Earners or others in the Department
• Functions effectively under pressure and acts with confidence and composure

• Qualified to GCSE standard, grade C (or equivalent) at Mathematics and English essential
• Previous secretarial experience in a law firm essential

• The hours of work for this opportunity are 9:30am to 5:30pm but it is essential to be committed, flexible and prepared to work beyond the normal office hours when necessary and in response to client demand.