We are looking for a Legal Support Assistant to support our busy Regulatory team, which is based in our Southampton, Cardiff and Reading offices. The successful candidate may be based at any of those offices. We will consider a flexible working pattern for this role.
The successful candidate will be supporting the whole team, and working closely with case managers, advocates and paralegals on regulatory matters. The role will comprise of:
* Providing administrative and legal support to assigned fee earners
* Assist and work cooperatively with your colleagues to provide support to other/non-assigned fee earners as appropriate
* Prompt administration of files including:
o opening files – running conflict checks, obtaining AML documents, creating the e-file and all relevant sub-files
o initial conduct of matters – preparing template letters of engagement and terms of business (if client-specific, check LSA and populate rates/fee estimate for the fee earners to check/confirm); as appropriate, save down relevant precedent documents into the e-file
o closing files – organising deeds/documents and accounts/billing (see below), archiving
* Organisation of documents including printing and bundling of documents, scanning and organising e-files, timely sending counterparts to relevant parties and/or uploading to relevant client extranets
* Accounts/billing responsibilities including dealing with accounts on receipts for monies in and out in accordance with our regulatory requirements, preparing WIP reports, allocating disbursements to matters, preparing draft bills for fee earners' approval, managing bill issuance process
* Collating, analysis and reporting of data as required by fee earners/clients
* Conference and meeting arrangements, diary management – includes diarising requisition response dates, filing dates, etc.
* Other ad hoc duties as required by fee earners
* Draft initial documents using BM precedents/as instructed by fee-earners – includes reports on title and contracts
* Assist with internal team communications
* Attend and participate in legal training sessions
* Participate with Business & Development/Marketing as appropriate
Skills / Experience Required
* Solid relevant technical expertise
* Experience of working in a legal environment, or professional practice
* Dedication, determination and loyalty to colleagues, clients and communities
* Collegiate and team-playing approach
* Relationship-driven and people oriented
* Ability to work productively with Partners and staff across the team
* Able to engage fully with our clients and other professional and organisation contacts to provide an excellent service
* Approachable
* Good communication (oral and written) and telephone skills
* A* attention to detail and accuracy
* Adaptable, flexible and ability to multi-task
* Good organisational skills
* Ability to prioritise
* Willing to learn, improve skills and support the team
* Positive and enthusiastic approach
* Commitment to high levels of client care and customer service
* Confident and personable
* IT literate and ability to adapt to new technologies and systems
* Intermediate in use of Word, Outlook and Excel, Teams, Zoom
* Good working knowledge of Peppermint and DMS
* Committed to rigour around treating all clients fairly
* Focused on attributing dedication, determination and loyalty to colleagues, clients and communities
* Able to demonstrate continuous development and diversity in thinking
* Understands and complies with Information Security responsibilities commensurate with this advertised role including Data Protection and the duty of confidentiality
Blake Morgan is committed to adopting Smart Working practices, where appropriate in the context of business needs, and empowering colleagues to maximise their performance. Whilst we strive to ensure consistency of approach across the firm, there will inevitably be some differences in working practices across our business groups and business support functions. We consider each colleague's personal preferences, working styles and development needs when deciding the best arrangements to suit our clients and colleagues. A typical approach would be a blend of working in your usual office, working from another Blake Morgan office, working from a client's office and working from home. A Guide to getting the most out of Smart Working Policy is available for our colleagues. You will be a core part of the team and able to access the technology, support, training and resources you require.
Blake Morgan is one of the UK's leading full-service law firms, with offices in London, Wales, Thames Valley and the South Coast region. We provide our clients with practical and straightforward legal advice whatever their regional, national and international requirements. Our clients are commercial businesses, not-for-profit organisations, government agencies and private individuals.
Our office locations and details of how to reach them are found here.
Please note that we are currently only accepting CVs from direct applicants. We do not accept CVs from recruitment agencies unless terms and conditions have been agreed in advance with our Resourcing Team.
Benefits
Some of the benefits of working at Blake Morgan include:
* 26 days' annual holiday and option to purchase 1 weeks' leave
* Birthday holiday
* My Time – one working week off for community, faith-based festivals, volunteering, or wellbeing activities
* Profit Share Scheme
* Performance related bonus scheme
* Private medical insurance including access to a health advice helpline
* Auto-enrolment pension scheme (5% employer pension contribution when employee contributes 3%)
* Life assurance scheme
* Critical illness cover
* Cash Plan - claim for flu jab, health screening, optical and dental plus a range of wellbeing and health services
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Professional subscriptions
* Free parking or travel season ticket loan depending on your office location
* Cycle to work scheme
* Discounts at leading retailers
* Recruitment referral scheme
* Gifts at key lifestyle and career milestones