Legal Assistant (paralegal)

New Leaf Solicitors

Job description

This job description provides an outline of the duties and responsibilities of the role and the necessary skills and knowledge required to perform them as at the date it was created. The employee accepts that over time this job description may be subject to change as the employee's duties and job evolves.

Job purpose: The purpose of the role is to provide administrative assistance and support to the Principal Solicitor. The role holder will be responsible for her own caseload which will include advising clients, drafting documents and complying with the SRA regulator. The role holder is also responsible for engaging in networking and business development events and opportunities and to meet business targets as set by the Principal in terms of time recording and fees billed.

Main responsibilities and duties

• producing legal documents like divorce applications
• preparing court forms and statements
• handling confidential information
• working from solicitors' written notes and dictation
• dealing with clients
• making appointments and managing diaries
• keeping records
• accompanying solicitors to court
• delivering and collecting documents
• filing and general administrative work
• To analyse and advise on strategy, tactics, and how best to achieve the most successful outcome for each client according to the particular circumstances of their case
• To comply with the Family Proceedings Rules and to deal with clients in a sensitive, professional and competent way; and to pitch all communications with clients at a level appropriate to the individual concerned
• To enable clients to make informed decisions based on advice on legal and other appropriate considerations e.g. costs, funding and risks of litigation and to ensure the timely and effective deployment of others involved in the matter e.g. expert witnesses, enquiry agents, counsel
• To endeavour, where appropriate, to achieve settlement without the need for court proceedings
• To identify clients’ objectives and to seek to further them in a manner consistent with all professional and ethical obligations
• To maintain the strictest concern for and awareness of the need for data protection at all times.
• To monitor all aspects of the case on behalf of the client and advise on whether subsequent developments affect views previously expressed
• To obtain accurate information and instructions from our clients, analyse the legal and practical aspects of their case and obtain the necessary documents/evidence to provide preliminary advice on their case

Required knowledge and skills

• Ability to work with initiative; maintaining a flexible and responsible approach
• Careful file management and the keeping of detailed contemporaneous attendance notes of all work done on behalf of our clients
• Compliance with time recording requirements and reaching financial targets
• Conducting matters on behalf of clients to their satisfaction
• Efficiency in dealing with work and accuracy of work produced
• Good attendance and timekeeping
• Knowledge and use of court rules and procedures
• Personal development and contribution to the overall objectives of the firm
• To anticipate as well as to respond to clients’ needs and demands
• To assist the firm in maximising income and profitability by effective time recording, billing and staff planning
• To ensure monetary transactions are dealt with efficiently and in accordance with professional rules
• To join and participate in professional and other relevant organisations such as networking events
• To keep up to date with developments in law and practice Individuals who need CPD hours must keep their records up to date and comply with the compulsory CPD regime
• To maintain the strictest standards of client confidentiality at all times
• To participate in the growth and development of the department/firm
• To work and behave in a professional manner and within the highest ethical and other standards of the profession and to comply with procedures set out in the office manual, professional standards and any requirement set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or similar