Legal Secretary

AJ Chambers are working with a top law firm who have a vacancy for a Legal Secretary within their Real Estate department based in their Reading office. The role is part of a job share working 3 days a week, fully office based. Key Skills/Qualifications: • RSA stage 1 or 2; Min. 60wpm with min. 80% accuracy; Audio and copy typing skills • Good written and spoken English; polite professional telephone skills • Good working knowledge of word • Confidentiality essential Experience Requirements: • Specialist property legal experience and good general secretarial experience essential • Excellent organisational skills • Pays attention to detail • Team player • Well organised • Flexible - willingness to work late if needed • Able to work effectively under pressure / meet tight deadlines • Able to adapt to new technologies and working methods • Professional and confident approach • Enthusiastic, friendly and helpful • Pro-active and able to use initiative • Good communicator GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB • Types, corrects and amends a variety of legal correspondence and documentation, high volume of typing • General administration duties including, keeping case/client files up to date; creating new files; referencing; general filing. Ensuring familiarity with lawyer's clients & cases • Professionally answering internal and external telephone calls and efficient message taking • Keeps own and lawyers diaries up to date. Book meeting rooms as necessary • In solicitors absence checks post/voicemail and email ensuring urgent matters are dealt with • Provides holiday/absence and pressure cover for other secretaries as needed • Prepare client bills for lawyer review and approval. May undertake chargeable work as directed by lawyer • Is familiar with and adheres to firm's policies and procedures • Willing to undertake all jobs to ensure smooth running of office Other • Undertaking online and paper searches (knowledge of all searches and how to apply for them is very important e.g. Index Map Searches, commercial drainage and water enquiries etc) • Amending leases, contracts and reports. Collating documentation ready to send out to client • Obtaining precedents from books or online • Land Registry applications • Prepare draft SDLT returns • Submit SDLT returns on line • Undertaking billing monthly including preparation for narratives from the system • Letters and emails • Managing monthly reporting for major clients • Regular updating of deeds bible for major clients Overall knowledge of a whole general commercial property transaction is also important. For more information please contact Danielle Gill.