Legal Support Assistant (Real Estate) - Leeds

DAC Beachcroft LLP

3mo ago

Job
Full-time
Junior, Mid & Senior Level
Legal
Leeds

AI generated summary

You must have legal experience, advanced Microsoft Office skills, strong communication, client focus, problem-solving ability, and attention to detail, with a proactive and adaptable approach.
You will manage client relationships, document production, maintain files, support billing, handle communications, and ensure compliance, all while providing exceptional service and managing priorities.

Requirements

Experience of working in a legal or professional services environment is essential
An aptitude for managing multiple priorities, producing documents and client communications of the highest standard
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel and Outlook
Advanced knowledge of document management/case management systems
An effective communicator with an excellent customer and client service approach; striving to provide exceptional service at all times
Customer/client service focused
Proven experience of managing client facing tasks and priorities, with a hands-on, practical approach
Effective at investigating issues and seeing a problem through to conclusion
Conscientious, taking personal responsibility for own work and accountability for its delivery and quality
Excellent team player, sharing in team goals to provide excellent quality and efficiency of service, with a willingness to take on new responsibilities and challenges
Positive can-do attitude with the ability to adapt to change
Confidential and discreet but able to redirect information when appropriate to ensure areas of concern are resolved effectively
Well organised and methodical with excellent attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in all client communications and deliverables

Responsibilities

Client Relationship Management
Manage the production of documents and check returned work produced by the CTU team/speech recognition for accuracy/formatting, before it is passed to the relevant lawyer
Taking and making client related calls, dealing with and handling message taking as appropriate
Responsible for keeping up to date with client specific protocols and processes, implementing, providing guidance and training to others where necessary and ongoing monitoring
Administrative
Responsible for files to be opened and closed and supervise general filing requirements and record keeping and production of engagement letters ensuring compliant at all times
Monitor and track key dates for clients and ensure compliance procedures are up to date on all files and matters
Support lawyers in business development activities including the involvement in preparation of pitches and presentations, scheduling meetings e.g. tenders, internal client, etc.
Manage diaries, ensuring they are up-to date, anticipating requirements e.g. associated travel /accommodation bookings, meeting rooms, drafting itineraries, preparing agendas, preparing and circulating papers
Produce and maintain Excel spreadsheets as required.
First point of contact for their team, dealing with queries and acting on initiative to provide exceptional client service, promoting and developing ownership within the teams
Arrange for the preparation and collation of internal sector newsletters and briefings
Uploading documents to PDF docs and editing documents using the same
Arrange photocopying, printing, organising couriers, sending out letters, faxes etc.
Submitting documents for signature by clients via DocuSign
Receiving instructions via digital dictation for tasks and acting upon the same
Communication
Key point of contact for lawyers to maintain relationships and ensure a high level of support is always provided by the team.
Monitor post and/or emails and dealing with as appropriate ensuring all client related correspondence is passed on to an appropriate lawyer and actioned as necessary; proactively responding to and drafting responses on behalf of others, prioritising emails, collating necessary paperwork and e-filing
Liaising with and providing support to their immediate colleagues in the department, and where practical, other legal and support departments as requested by HL. Assisting others where there is spare capacity or it is evident that a colleague needs assistance with their workload
Answering phone calls for other members of the team when they are away from their desk
Liaison with and taking direction from your HL
Liaise with the HL over any planned absences, arranging cover as necessary and communicating this to the relevant lawyers
Financial
Assisting lawyers with billing related tasks
Reviewing and updating time allocation and disbursements ensuring appropriate matter allocation
Request cheques, bank transfers, and paying in money received, as appropriate
Supporting the co-ordination of the WIP process
Dealing with matter related finance administration to include BACs, TTs etc.
Processing expenses
Processing
Responsible for managing priorities and workloads to ensure deadlines are met. Liaising with HL where challenges arise
Responsible for ensuring the creation and maintenance of data rooms and client information in accordance with case milestones
Responsible for ensuring client and matter data is maintained and updated within appropriate systems, raising requests as appropriate
Online applications e.g. Companies House, Land Registry, Searchflow, forms
Undertaking searches and completion of requisite forms and submissions
Ensuring compliance with firm wide/department policies and procedures
Customer Service
Arranging and attending team meetings
Liaising with lawyers, PAs, HLs and Secretarial Managers (SM) to take instruction and liaise on work requirements
Consistently and appropriately update service users on progress where appropriate

FAQs

Do we support remote work?

Yes, we do remote work in a hybrid format.

What is the primary responsibility of a Legal Support Assistant in the Real Estate team?

The primary responsibility is to act as a point of contact for lawyers, ensure effective workflow management, and complete a variety of secretarial tasks to support the team.

Is previous experience required for this position?

Yes, experience of working in a legal or professional services environment is essential.

What are the working hours for this role?

This role is full-time, permanent, and allows for hybrid working.

Are there opportunities for professional development within the company?

Yes, the company encourages employees to share new responsibilities and challenges, allowing for professional growth.

What skills are essential for this Legal Support Assistant role?

Essential skills include advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, effective communication, strong organizational abilities, and a focus on client service.

How does the company support employees with disabilities?

The company is a Disability Confident employer and guarantees interviews for applicants with disabilities or long-term health conditions that meet the essential criteria for the role.

What kind of clients does DAC Beachcroft serve?

DAC Beachcroft serves a diverse range of clients, including household names, government departments, NHS bodies, and top insurers.

Is there a process for managing work priorities and deadlines in this role?

Yes, the Legal Support Assistant is responsible for managing priorities and workloads to ensure deadlines are met and liaising with their line manager when challenges arise.

Will the Legal Support Assistant interact directly with clients?

Yes, the role involves taking and making client-related calls and managing client communications effectively.

DAC Beachcroft LLP

Broad-based commercial law firm delivering bespoke solutions, one client at a time.

Law

Industry

1001-5000

Employees

1762

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

DAC Beachcroft is a leading international legal business with offices across Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. We partner with our clients to help them achieve sustainable growth and to defend their business and reputation. We do this by taking a tailored approach to providing commercial, transactional, claims, risk and advisory legal services. We are recognised leaders in Insurance, Health and Real Estate and draw on the knowledge, industry experience and commercial expertise of our outstanding 3,000 lawyers and support colleagues in these sectors and beyond. We are forward-thinking, flexible and easy to engage with and we're proud that our clients tell us regularly that we're great to work with. We know that our clients value advice that is innovative, practical and personal to them, and we pride ourselves on getting to the heart of their businesses. We measure our performance against their expectations and embrace change as a necessary stage in evolving and strengthening our relationships. The close working relationship we enjoy with our clients has not been built overnight but honed carefully over the last 250 years. This means today our clients can remain confident they have the very best legal expertise available.