Hodge Jones & Allen LLP are looking to recruit a full time Legal Assistant to join our busy Private Client department.

Their primary responsibility will be to receive and screen calls from those seeking HJA’s legal services in areas of law related to Private Client (Wills/Probate & Court of Protection Work), assisting the Court of Protection team with their professional deputyship work and professional trustee work inclusive of liaising with clients and stakeholders, and assisting the teams with various administrative tasks.

In dealing with incoming calls, the Legal Assistant will interact with clients in a sensitive and professional manner, utilising interviewing skills to assess how to best match clients with the appropriate resources within the firm or externally. 

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties will vary in importance and priority, depending on circumstances and the needs of the business at any particular time, but will include the following key responsibilities:

·      Receiving incoming calls and new enquiries promptly and within the timescales required.

·      Through careful listening and questioning, to gain insight into the clients’ requirements and assist as far as possible e.g. take the enquiry details, forward a message, arrange an appointment, complaints procedure etc.

·      Providing information on legal procedures, costs, remedies and timescales to clients to resolve their legal problems in line with legal best practice and principles

·      Maintain updated referral sources and provide relevant information to the departments

·      Refer clients for appropriate legal assistance based on information gained

·      Forward messages in a timely manner

·      Demonstrate well developed investigation skills

·      Demonstrate an ability to work effectively within a team and support team goals

·      Make outgoing calls to clients as appropriate

·      Deal with “walk in clients” in a speedy and professional manner

·      Complete an accurate written attendance note of the call and ensure it is logged on the clients’ electronic file using the appropriate IT systems e.g. Salesforce, and email the relevant fee earner(s)

·      Maintain an orderly and efficient filing system within Salesforce and Word to ensure that all relevant documentation (paper and electronic) is readily accessible

·      Liaise with fee earners as appropriate

·      Provide a generic ‘one stop’ approach, providing support across departments when required

·      Any other duties within the scope and capability of the jobholder, as may be reasonably required. 

Requirements

• Relevant legal qualifications
• Experience working in a legal environment
• Experience liaising with clients
• Call handling experience
• Good administrative, literacy and time management skills
• Exemplary customer service skills
• Ability to discuss and understand complex legal situations with clients in a supportive and non-judgemental way

Benefits

We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, work–life balance and professional development, including:

• Generous annual leave (22–27 days depending on role), plus Christmas shutdown and additional birthday leave
• Extra paid leave for volunteering, moving house and study
• Long service recognition leave at 10, 15 and 20 years
• Pension scheme (3% employer contribution, 5% employee, with salary sacrifice option)
• Life assurance (2x salary) and Group Income Protection (up to state pension age)
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay (subject to qualifying service)
• Wellbeing support, including Mental Health Champions, First Aiders and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan (post-probation)
• Employee referral bonus scheme
• Discounted legal services and access to an extensive Employee Benefits Portal (gym membership, health plans, private medical insurance, dental, cinema and retail discounts)
• Eye care contributions
• Complimentary office fruit deliveries twice weekly
• On-site social space with pool table and subsidised bar