Family Legal EA
4 days ago
City of London
AJ Chambers have an exciting role within a top London Law firm for a Legal EA within the Family Team Role Purpose • To provide exceptional Executive Assistant and legal administrative support to the Family Law Department, ensuring the efficient day-to-day operation of the team and enabling fee earners to deliver outstanding client service., • To support the management of sensitive and often urgent family law matters by delivering proactive, organised and confidential administrative assistance., • To contribute to the continuous improvement of departmental processes, workflows and best practices, ensuring compliance with firm policies and legal procedures., • To work collaboratively with Partners, solicitors, legal assistants, secretaries and business support teams to deliver a professional, responsive and client-focused service., • To support the department's financial performance through efficient billing administration, proactive management of Work in Progress (WIP), aged debt and matter-related financial processes. Key Tasks and Responsibilities Departmental Executive Assistant Support • Provide proactive Executive Assistant support to the Partners and wider Family Law Department, ensuring legal and administrative requirements are delivered accurately, efficiently and within required timescales., • Prepare, open, maintain and close client files in accordance with firm procedures., • Produce, format and amend legal documents, court forms, correspondence, agreements, bundles and reports to the firm's standards., • Ensure court deadlines, client commitments and key dates are effectively monitored and communicated., • Support the preparation and submission of documents for court proceedings where required., • Act as a mentor and point of guidance for Secretaries and Senior Secretaries, supporting consistency and best practice across the department., • Provide support, coaching and guidance where improvements in performance or processes are identified., • Deliver an exceptional client experience through professional, responsive and confidential communication., • Act as a key point of contact for clients, counsel, courts and external professionals., • Ensure enquiries are handled promptly, sensitively and directed appropriately., • Identify potential issues early, escalating where necessary and supporting effective solutions., • Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality when dealing with sensitive family law matters., • Manage competing priorities and provide regular updates on workload and progress., • Coordinate multiple requests, ensuring stakeholders are kept informed of progress and deadlines., • Prioritise urgent court-related and client matters appropriately. Department Coordination • Organise monthly departmental meetings., • Prepare agendas for approval by the Head of Department., • Attend meetings, record minutes where required and circulate promptly., • Monitor and follow up agreed actions., • Arrange guest speakers, training sessions and departmental presentations where appropriate., • Manage and maintain the department's iManage workspace and knowledge resources., • Maintain precedents, guidance notes and training materials., • Keep departmental contact lists current, including clients, counsel, experts and professional contacts., • Ensure electronic folders remain organised and accessible. Executive Assistant Services • Provide comprehensive diary management for Partners and fee earners., • Coordinate appointments, client meetings, mediations, court hearings and conferences., • Manage Outlook calendars and resolve scheduling conflicts., • Arrange travel and accommodation for UK and international business travel where required., • Manage telephone calls, voicemail, inboxes and out-of-office communications, responding or redirecting enquiries appropriately., • Coordinate internal and external meetings., • Arrange meeting rooms, video conferencing facilities, refreshments and IT requirements., • Assist with larger departmental meetings, seminars and client events., • Coordinate webinars, training sessions and external legal events., • Manage departmental subscriptions and memberships., • Arrange conference calls and virtual meetings using Teams, Zoom or other approved platforms., • Distribute legal documentation securely, electronically or in hard copy, ensuring compliance with confidentiality requirements. Document and File Management • Ensure electronic and paper files are maintained accurately and in accordance with firm procedures, regulatory requirements and document retention policies., • Support and guide Secretaries and Senior Secretaries in maintaining consistent filing standards., • Coordinate large printing, copying and bundling requests with Office Services, ensuring deadlines are achieved. Business Support and Operational Management • Promote consistent adherence to firm policies, procedures and departmental processes., • Coordinate departmental projects and administrative initiatives, including:, • New joiner onboarding in conjunction with HR., • Scheduling one-to-one meetings and departmental reviews., • Coordinating Continuing Competence/CPD requirements., • Monitoring attendance at internal training sessions., • Supporting departmental compliance activities., • Work closely with Finance and Credit Control to support the effective management of Work in Progress (WIP), billing and aged debt., • Prepare draft bills for review by fee earners., • Monitor outstanding WIP and billing deadlines., • Support Partners in achieving departmental financial targets., • Promote compliance with billing processes across the support team., • Act as a key liaison for departmental IT issues., • Coordinate with IT Support and the Software Training & Applications team., • Communicate system updates and process changes to the department., • Support colleagues in implementing new systems and technology. Legal Matter Support • Assist fee earners with the preparation of court bundles, hearing files, trial bundles, counsel's papers, client documentation and disclosure where capacity allows., • Support the preparation of mediation and arbitration documentation where required., • Maintain accurate records of chargeable and non-chargeable administrative work in accordance with firm policy. Resource Planning • Work closely with the PA Coordinator to ensure appropriate Executive Assistant and Secretarial support across the Family Law Department., • Identify and communicate holiday and absence cover requirements., • Support recruitment, onboarding and induction of new support staff where required., • Contribute to succession planning and continuous improvement of departmental support services. This role will offer hybrid working, salary up to £50,000 For further information please contact Ella Britton