Legal PA

Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world’s most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve ‘Platinum Standard’ Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.

We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.

To discover more about our benefits, please visit: Benefits Package

Our Litigation Services team in Scotland provide a broad range of commercial dispute resolution services, acting for clients across a number of key sectors and industries. 

The team covers a range of specialisms including commercial litigation, debt recovery, property litigation, insolvency, and lending and banking disputes.  The team litigates in the Court of Session and in Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland and is also well-practiced in all forms of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation.

• Opening new files
• Closing files 
• Write offs 
• Conflict Checks for proposed new clients
• SAP queries from the team 
• Runlists for the team
• Incepting new clients to include AML and preparing letters of engagement  
• Preparing entries on Finance system
• Credit Note requests 
• Digital dictation
• Preparation of draft emails and correspondence for approval
• Preparation of court documents including combining pdf documents
• Preparing enclosures ready for signing and sending out with the post
• Expense forms for the team 
• Billing on a monthly basis via SAP including obtaining narratives to go with invoices and sending invoices to clients
• Diary management. acting proactively where possible and highlight diary clashes
• Organising meetings and events internally and externally ensuring best use of the Partners’ time
• Booking travel and accommodation where required
• Annual cover for other PA
• Assisting with typing
• Diary court hearings/reminders re court hearings etc 
• General admin - dealing with queries raised by legal advisors
• Assisting with bundles
• Organising travel and accommodation
• Cash collection – liaising with client-side accounts teams to ensure prompt payment of our invoices
• Other ad hoc admin duties to assist the team. 

• Previous secretarial/administrative experience within a similar practice area or other professional service firm
• Excellent document production skills in particular within word, updating complex documents
• Self-motivated and able to work without supervision and to a high standard
• Excellent and accurate keyboard skills required.
• Good working knowledge of various applications – Word, Outlook, and Excel (basic knowledge) (PowerPoint helpful but not a necessity).
• Taking care and attention into all correspondence and documentation
• Flexible with the ability to adapt to change, new practices and cope under pressure
• Excellent presentation skills reflected in their work
• A methodical and organised approach with keen attention paid to every detail
• Good organisational skills to ensure that the tasks are effectively scheduled within working time available, and that urgent work is completed and returned within the specified timescales.
• Occasional ability to be flexible to meet the demands of the work
• Friendly and helpful approach to dealing with queries
• Excellent communication skills and telephone manner
• Ability to prioritise, be organised and efficient
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good listening skills
• Able to integrate within a team as well as working on one’s own initiative
• Work as part of a team ensuring telephones/lunch cover
• Ability to be pro-active and deliver a quality service to both internal and external clients.
• Team player

Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion, and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.

This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs.