Personal Assistant

Shakespeare Martineau is a law firm with big ambitions for both our clients and our people. We are one firm of original thinkers, inspired to create an outstanding future for our clients, our people and our community. 

Working with organisations of all sizes our team delivers a broad range of specialist legal services, and has particular expertise across sectors including but not limited to; energy, education, banking & financial services, investment funds and advanced manufacturing.  

Our vision is to be the outstanding legal force in our specialist sectors and markets. Our people are renowned for their flair and individuality.

We firmly believe that people and spirit are at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment is to help all our people fulfil their careers and ambitions and we strive to create an environment where each individual can understand and then achieve their full potential. Great performance for us is a blend of excellent technical and business skills and the talent and drive to do things differently.

Our Litigation & Dispute Resolution group has a long-standing experience of working with some of the most successful and influential businesses in the UK and also internationally. Our specialist teams combine expertise with a sound understanding of the commercial landscape to provide exceptional solutions for every aspect of our clients’ corporate requirements.

Our specialist Defendant Insurance team represent a variety of blue-chip clients, insurers and intermediaries advising in all matters of contention arising out of employer, public, property and motor liability claims. In addition to defending such claims we lead, often as part of the first response team, investigations into causation liaising with all relevant stakeholders. Additionally we advise insurers and syndicates on matters of indemnity and coverage including declaratory proceedings. We are also known for representing household insurance names, often dealing with very complex and high value claims. With an insurance pedigree going back to the 1960’s, our aim is to become the premium service provider of choice within the insurance market.

The role:

You will provide a high quality service and support predominantly to the head of Defendant Insurance and, where necessary, other senior members to assist in the seamless day to day running of the team.

Your key duties will be:

• providing key, proactive, quality support for ensuring the efficiency and productivity of the head of the Defendant Insurance team
• managing the team head’s diary and assisting in the set up and co-ordination of meetings
• assisting in the planning, collation and circulation of documents
• carrying out research and projects, as directed
• providing support on client files, as directed
• attending to clients in person and on the telephone, taking messages and assisting where possible and where appropriate
• providing support with monthly billing and other related financial administration
• dealing with and managing all administration associated with the above

Skills and experience you will have:

• 12 months previous administrative experience ideally gained working in a PA role within a Litigation team
• a minimum grade C pass at GCSE (or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics
• confidence with IT systems to include Microsoft Word, Excel and ideally PowerPoint
• fast and accurate keyboard skills

Key competencies you will need:

• the ability to work well in a team and develop good working relationships with colleagues and others
• confident interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise openly and clearly with colleagues and clients
• to be able to produce a high standard of work, often to tight deadlines, whilst maintaining accuracy and good attention to detail
• the ability to prioritise well and be able to cope with changing demands
• to be able to demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, initiative and self confidence

About you - you will be:

• highly enthusiastic, willing to go the extra mile and be happy to go beyond the job description
• respectful towards others and have a positive, willing and ‘can do’ attitude
• keen to learn, interested in driving your own career progression and be proactive in taking ownership of this 

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. Details of the checks can be found here.

Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.