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 and entrepreneurs, from asset managers and sports bodies to international media groups.

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.

We provide advice on the full range of employment issues advising (i) employers from the financial services, sports, corporate, media, retail, education, visitor attractions and charity sectors and (ii) individual senior executives. We pride ourselves on excellent client service and on providing pragmatic, swift solutions, which come off the fence.

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 a good knowledge of all systems/processes used within the Department

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
• Recognises, respects and honours client confidentiality at all times

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

IT Skills/Systems

• Maintains a high level of proficiency in core IT applications including the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)

File Management

• Adopts a pro-active approach and works with Fee Earners effectively, to maintain regular file management, to ensure all files are up to date, closed and archived, as appropriate
• Keeps accurate records of all files sent to off-site storage via Records

Financial Risk Management

• Prepares bills, as required by Fee Earners
• Prepares AML documentation and obtains relevant documentation from clients in a timely manner, as required by Fee Earners
• Carries out conflict searches and correctly identifies the work type

Previous secretarial experience in a law firm essential

• 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

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.