Private Client Secretary

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced, organised and detail-oriented Private Client Secretary to join our team at our Colchester office, providing secretarial and administrative support in relation to Wills, Probate and Estate Administration.

This role would suit someone with previous experience in a legal or professional services environment who is confident with audio typing, document preparation and managing a varied workload. The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting their fee earner, ensuring that documents are prepared accurately and efficiently and that clients receive a professional and helpful service.

The position is office-based, with a minimum commitment of three days per week. Ideally, we are looking for someone who would be happy to work full-time.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing secretarial and administrative support to the Private Client team, particularly in relation to Wills, Probate and Estate Administration.
• Audio typing and digital dictation, producing accurate correspondence, legal documents and reports from dictation.
• Typing, drafting, formatting and proofreading Wills, letters, legal forms and other private client documentation.
• Assisting with the preparation of documents and information required for probate applications and estate administration.
• Managing incoming and outgoing correspondence, emails and telephone calls in a professional and courteous manner.
• Maintaining client files, updating records and ensuring documentation is accurately filed and easily accessible.
• Opening new client matters and assisting with file management throughout the lifecycle of a matter.
• Diary management, arranging appointments and helping to ensure deadlines are met.
• Handling confidential client information with discretion and professionalism.
• Providing general administrative support to the team as required.

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous experience as a Legal Secretary or Private Client Secretary, ideally within a Wills and Probate department.
• Strong audio typing and word-processing skills, with excellent typing speed and accuracy.
• Experience using digital dictation software and producing documents from dictation.
• Excellent spelling, grammar and proofreading skills, with a keen eye for detail.
• Familiarity with legal terminology and documentation relating to Wills, Probate and Estate Administration.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Word, Outlook and other Microsoft Office applications.
• A professional, approachable and empathetic manner when dealing with clients, many of whom may be dealing with sensitive family or bereavement matters.
• A high level of confidentiality, reliability and attention to detail.

What We Offer

• A professional and supportive working environment.
• A varied role within a specialist Private Client team.
• The opportunity to develop and build on your legal secretarial experience.
• A minimum three-day working week, with full-time hours preferred.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced legal secretary with excellent typing skills and an interest in Wills, Probate and Estate Administration, we would love to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a brief covering letter to [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you.

Benefits:

• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person