Practice Assistant
Department: Legal Support | Cargo
Location: Guildford
The Role
The Practice Assistant provides high-quality organisational, administrative and client support to Partners and Fee Earners.
Acting as a key point of contact, you will take ownership of work from instruction through to completion, either delivering tasks directly or coordinating support through Team Assistants and Document Production. You will proactively manage priorities, anticipate requirements and ensure work is completed accurately, efficiently and to a high standard.
The role requires excellent organisation, communication and relationship-management skills, alongside the confidence to manage competing priorities within a fast-paced legal environment.
Key Responsibilities
Partner, Fee Earner & Client Support
Act as a key point of contact for allocated Partners, Fee Earners and clients, building strong and effective working relationships.
Manage incoming correspondence, calls and queries, responding or escalating appropriately and ensuring actions are followed through.
Proactively manage diaries, meetings and appointments, anticipating requirements such as travel, accommodation, meeting rooms, agendas, papers and itineraries.
Support client meetings, training sessions, directory interviews and other client-related activities.
Maintain knowledge of client-specific requirements, protocols and processes, providing guidance where appropriate.
Provide proactive support by anticipating priorities, identifying issues and taking ownership through to resolution.
Workflow & Document Management
Take ownership of tasks from instruction through to completion, coordinating with Team Assistants and Document Production where appropriate.
Manage document production requirements and review completed work for accuracy, presentation and formatting before submission to Fee Earners.
Manage competing priorities and deadlines, escalating capacity or workflow issues where necessary.
Maintain electronic files, records and client documentation accurately.
Support the creation and maintenance of data rooms and other client information.
Produce and maintain spreadsheets, presentations and other business documents as required.
Matter & Administrative Support
Coordinate the opening and closing of files and matters, ensuring appropriate documentation and compliance requirements are completed.
Prepare and manage engagement documentation.
Monitor key dates, deadlines and matter information.
Ensure client and matter information is accurate and maintained within relevant systems.
Undertake searches, applications and submissions through relevant external systems where required.
Assist with printing, scanning, copying, couriers and correspondence where necessary.
Work in accordance with firm-wide and departmental policies and procedures.
Business Development & Client Relationship Management
Support Partners and Fee Earners with business development and client relationship activities.
Assist with the preparation and coordination of pitches, tenders, presentations and directory submissions.
Work with Business Development colleagues to maintain accurate client and contact information within CRM systems.
Support the organisation of client and internal events, seminars and conferences.
Assist with newsletters, briefings and other client communications.
Maintain accurate information relating to prospects, clients, contacts and business development activities.
Communication & Teamwork
Work collaboratively with Practice Assistants, Team Assistants, Document Production and other Business Services teams to deliver an efficient service.
Provide support across the wider team where additional capacity is required.
Attend and support team meetings, including preparing papers, taking minutes and following up agreed actions where required.
Maintain regular communication with Fee Earners regarding progress, priorities and deadlines.
Liaise with the Legal Support Manager regarding workload, planned…