We are currently looking for an Apprentice Trainee Legal Support Assistant to join our property litigation team in our Reading office. This is a two-year fixed term contract with the potential to become permanent.
The successful applicant will spend one day a week at college studying a Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship. The role will be office based, requiring you to attend our Reading office at Apex Plaza at least 3 days per week.
An example of the Roles and Responsibilities:
* Provide administrative and legal support to assigned fee earners, including dealing with email and telephone instructions in order of priority from assigned fee earners
* Assist and work cooperatively with other LSAs 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); ordering searches and managing the timely return of the same; order title, plans and copy documents from Land Registry portal as appropriate, save down relevant precedent documents into the e-file
o ongoing conduct of matters – updating reports accordingly
o closing files – organising deeds/documents and accounts/billing (see below), archiving
* Organisation of documents including printing and bundling of documents including witness statements and court files, scanning and organising e-files
* Accounts/billing responsibilities including dealing with accounts on receipts for monies in and out in accordance with our regulatory requirements, preparing WIP reports and billing reports, allocating disbursements to matters, preparing draft bills for fee earners' approval, managing bill issuance process and credit control issues
* Collating, analysis and reporting of data as required by fee earners/clients
* Conference and meeting arrangements, diary management including key date deadlines
* Other ad hoc duties as required by fee earners
* Draft initial documents using BM precedents/as instructed including letters & notices
* Assist with internal team communications and attend monthly team meeting via Teams
* Attend and participate in legal training sessions as necessary
* Participate with Business & Development/Marketing as appropriate
Skills / Experience Required
* Good spread of GCSEs (A-C or 4-9) including English and Maths
* IT literate and numerate with ability to adapt to new technologies and systems
* Intermediate in use of Word, Outlook and Excel, Teams, Zoom
* Excellent organisational skills and communication skills (oral and written)
* Ability to work as part of a team and use own initiative
* Able to engage fully with our clients and other professional and organisation contacts in a warm and professional manner to provide an excellent service
* Demonstrate excellent attention to detail and accuracy
* Be adaptable, flexible and have the ability to multi-task and prioritise matters as appropriate
* Be able to demonstrate continuous development and show diversity in thinking
* A willing team player with a positive and enthusiastic approach willing to learn and improve skills
* Understand and comply with Information Security responsibilities commensurate with this role including GDPR and other regulatory requirements and the duty of confidentiality
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 business groups are:
Banking and Finance
Commercial and Charities
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Recoveries and Travel
Construction
Corporate
Employment, Pensions, Benefits & Immigration
Private Client
Property Services
Regulatory
How to Apply
Please apply on our website through our Online Portal.
If you have any questions, please email Jo Burnham at jo.burnham@blakemorgan.co.uk or telephone on 023 8085 7079.
Your personal data will be processed in line with our applicant privacy policy which explains how we treat your data.
Our Culture and Environment
We pride ourselves on our Personality, which is weaved into everything we do for our staff, clients and communities alike. We have created an environment underpinned by our ACTS framework that places high value on being:
Astute (commercially)
Committed
Team playing
Straightforward
It is part of the way we like to do things. If you wish to work amongst colleagues with these behaviours, then you will find yourself amongst likeminded individuals at Blake Morgan.
We work as one team and believe in supporting our colleagues to strengthen the firm. We act honestly and openly in all that we do. We care for our communities and encourage all our people to actively participate in our sports, social and charitable activities. We foster a mature and smart flexible working environment which is family friendly. We also offer opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge and to progress within the firm via our Blake Morgan Academy.
Blake Morgan strives to create and maintain a positive, non-discriminatory work environment. We will ensure that all applications for vacancies will be considered without discrimination against any person on the basis of race, colour, religion, disability, nationality, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or marital status. We strive to ensure that our shortlisting and interviewing panels are diverse. Further details about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion can be found here.
Benefits
Some of the benefits of working at Blake Morgan include:
* 26 days' annual holiday and option to purchase 1 weeks' additional leave
* Birthday holiday, should your birthday fall on a working day
* 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
* Season ticket loan (Cardiff, London and Reading)
* Cycle to work scheme
* Discounts at leading retailers
* Volunteering leave
* Recruitment referral scheme
* Gifts at key lifestyle and career milestones
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