Property Legal Assistant

We have an exciting opportunity for a Legal Assistant to join the team at our Weston-super-Mare and/or Bridgwater offices supporting the Property Department.

This role is integral to the success of the business, providing our Lawyers with the essential and pro-active support they require to provide a personable, professional, reliable and efficient service to each and every client. The successful candidate will benefit from working alongside a team of experienced Lawyers and a friendly and supportive office team where each individual is encouraged to strive to fulfil their individual professional development goals, within a firm who put their client’s needs at the heart of what they do.

Working hours will ideally be Monday – Friday 9:00am-5:15pm, but we will consider a part-time position for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:-

• Assisting with residential property transactions from instruction to completion, including sales, purchases, re-mortgages and transfers of equity;
• Assisting with various aspects of case files under supervision;
• Drafting letters and legal documents, including Contracts and other agreements;
• Using HM Land Registry portal;
• Managing appointments, meetings and deadlines;
• Preparing bills and completion statements;
• Being that all important first point of contact for the firm’s clients face to face and on the telephone;
• Dealing with new enquiries and managing them appropriately;
• Sending and responding to emails efficiently;
• Maintaining and updating a database;
• Opening electronic and physical files following receipt of instructions from the Lawyers. The practice are in the process of working towards achieving a paperless office;
• Closing electronic and physical files following instructions from the Lawyers;
• Assisting with maintaining electronic and physical files so they remain compliant and up to date;
• Dealing with general office tasks shared with others in the office, including preparation of outgoing post and banking, maintaining adequate supplies and resources for the office, answering inbound calls and transferring to the relevant department and taking detailed messages for departmental teams when staff members are unavailable;
• Ensuring the confidentiality and security of all the firm’s and client documentation and information.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience:-

• Have strong communication and client care skills to ensure our clients receive an efficient, reliable and friendly service over the telephone, in written correspondence and face to face;
• Demonstrate initiative and be flexible and proactive in their support to the wider office team;
• Have strong organisational skills to manage a busy workload;
• Demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and have excellent typing skills;
• Be IT literate and have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office;
• Be a team player who is friendly and approachable but also be able to work autonomously;
• Be passionate about law and have a strong work ethic;
• Be local to our Weston-super-Mare or Bridgwater offices or surrounding areas;
• Have a full, clean driving licence.

Benefits:-

• Quality training and supervision;
• Career progression;
• A monthly flexi time allowance;
• Annual leave that increases based on length of service;
• A competitive salary and annual salary reviews;
• The option of salary exchange for the Workplace Pension Scheme and increased Employer contributions above the minimum rate;
• A great work-life balance and supportive culture;
• Private medical insurance;
• Annual flu vaccinations (optional);
• Discounted legal services.

For more information or to apply with your CV and covering letter, please contact Kelly Pendleton by email to kelly.pendleton@johnhodge.co.uk