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SalaryLegal Secretary - Construction
Wedlake Bell is in search of a dedicated Legal Secretary to join our highly-regarded Construction team. This full-time, permanent position is an excellent opportunity for a proactive and organised Legal Secretary to play a key role in supporting our fee-earners.
Our Construction team advises a wide array of clients, including developers, contractors, investors, and public entities on a broad range of construction projects. The team consist of three partners, seven solicitors/associates, two paralegals, and two trainees. You will work closely with another Construction Legal Secretary, supported by the wider secretarial support staff of the Real Estate Group.
As a Legal Secretary in our Construction team, your role will be instrumental in ensuring the team have the support they need to run smoothly. You will support our fee earners with a range of tasks from preparing legal documents, file management and maintenance, diary management, client liaisons, and other ad-hoc responsibilities which contribute to the success of the team.
This role is perfect for a Legal Secretary who thrives in fast-paced and dynamic team, and prides themselves on the service they provide. Prior experience in Construction is not required, but you will need to have prior legal secretarial experience in a fast-paced transactional team.
Find out more about our construction practice here.
About Wedlake Bell:
Located in the heart of the City of London, Wedlake Bell is a Top 100 law firm offering full services across Private Client, Real Estate, Business Services, and Disputes. The firm has 81 Partners and a total headcount of around 400 total. We have grown year-on-year, attributed to the continual success of our legal teams, and the dedication of our staff members.
Our culture is widely-recognised as one of the best in City law, built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. Joining us, you will be part of a firm which supports work/life balance, personal development, and building strong connections. With regular cross-firm socials and events (including our renowned yearly ski trip!), you will quickly feel like part of the WB team.
Main Responsibilities:
- Supporting the preparation and management of legal documents, BD material, presentations, and correspondence related to construction matters, from dictation, drafts, or typed documents;
- Responding quickly to complete new tasks set by the team (via BigHand);
- Efficient diary management for fee earners, including arranging meetings and appointments, in-person or video calls (via MS Teams);
- Organising travel arrangements for business trips, in the UK and abroad;
- Communicating with clients and other stakeholders, offering administrative and case-related support;
- Opening, maintaining and organising team files (via iManage) to ensure information is easily accessible;
- Liaise with the firm's AML team to open new matters following established procedures, liaising with the client to obtain and collate required documents;
- Supporting the construction team's BD initiatives where possible, including updating the CRM with client information and activity (via InterAction);
- Coordinate the billing process for fee-earners by opening matters (via 3E Elite), liaising with the Accounts & Finance team throughout the process for instructions, changes, and to finalise invoices;
- Handling confidential information with discretion; and
- Other ad-hoc duties as required.
Essential Skills and Qualifications:
- Proven experience as a Legal Secretary (at least five years) in a fast-paced law firm, ideally within a transactional environment (Construction, Real Estate, Corporate, etc) though this is not required;
- Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively under tight deadlines;
- Fast and accurate typing skills, with high standards of written English and grammar;
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with an emphasis on client service;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with legal document management systems or other key software's (iManage, 3E Elite, InterAction, BigHand, etc);
- A keen attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in all aspects of work;
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment; and
- Discretion in handling confidential information.
Why Join Our Construction Team at Wedlake Bell?
- A competitive salary and benefits package;
- Comprehensive pension scheme;
- 25 days paid holiday per annum, with the option to purchase five additional days;
- Life assurance cover from day one;
- Access to Private Medical and Dental Insurance;
- Enhanced parental leave policies;
- Travel season ticket loan;
- Employee Assistance Programme offering support services;
- Wellbeing initiatives, including fitness classes and subsidised gym memberships (Fitness First or Virgin Active); and
- Opportunities for professional development in a supportive and dynamic environment.
We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, where every individual is respected and valued. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, irrespective of their background or personal circumstances.
If you are passionate about supporting a busy team and are eager for a challenging yet fulfilling career, we encourage you to apply.
