Legal Secretary Private Client

Dear Sirs

I wish to apply for the advertised role of Private Client Legal Secretary / Assistant.

I have many years’ experience working as a Legal Secretary and have previously worked in Private Client on different occasions. I know the formalities for Wills and the layout needed for them. I also know the processes for Lasting Powers of Attorney and for dealing with probate and trusts. I am careful to self check my work and am also open to different ways of working. I have a fast accurate typing speed, and very able talking to clients on the telephone daily. I have dealt with opening files, compliance issues and liaised with accounts and facilities, as well as taking new enquiries from potential new clients. I am able and willing to do any associated tasks to help the department and can start very soon. I have also worked in Wills and Probate for the last 4 months.

I also know many audio dictation systems and have scheduling experience. I have also maintained stock and ordered supplies, as well as answering emails and sorting post. I have also answered many phone calls and transferred them as needed. I am also able to arrange meetings, distribute agendas to attendees, take minutes and distribute these as soon as possible.

I have many years’ experience working as a Legal Secretary and Administrator and have dealt with diary management, audio typing and office support, as well as data presentation. I have experience of working for several fee earners and know Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook, from Office 2003 to Office 365 in depth, at an advanced level, to assist with letters, written analysis, tables, charts and presentations. I am also able to prioritise my own workload and work well under pressure. I always ensure that accuracy and quality of my work comes before all else and then endeavour to work as quickly as possible.

I have over 10 years legal secretarial experience and am a good team player, with good attention to detail. I am very tenatious and resilient, while being able to work well under pressure. However, above all I try to maintain a friendly approach, whilst being a team player with a positive attitude in the face of a heavy workload.

I recently worked as a Legal Administrator where I provided support by telephone cover for all clients, which meant a lot of inbound and outbound calling and a lot of resolving customer complaints. I provided administrative and secretarial support, including audio typing and creation of spreadsheets and any word document that needs producing. I also updated spreadsheets and tracked documents as well as managing payment for the work by chasing clients and completing invoices and purchase orders.

I resolved customer queries as efficiently as I could, took accurate notes of what is required and stated if I could help, or who would be able to help and the likely timeframe of resolution. I am very experienced with tight deadlines, and constantly manage conflicting workloads, to inform parties of the estimated time of completion.

I believe that my experience fulfils the requirements and that I have suitable personal skills for the post advertised. I am quick to learn and am highly motivated to give great attention to detail with a high standard of work. I know that I am a clear, logical thinker and confident in my approach.

I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss further aspects of the post that you may have available for me at interview and look forward to hearing from you in this regard. I enclose my CV to give a detailed background my work history and would be able to give any other information required.

Yours faithfully,

T. A. Hyman

Professional Profile:

A personable, dedicated and highly skilled Legal Administrator with over 20 years' industry experience in providing excellent case management support. Knowledge and expertise across Conveyancing, Wills & Probate, Family and Employment Law, coupled with experience assisting in the completion of legal transactions. Multifaceted and ambitious, now seeking a new professional challenge to combine existing knowledge and experience.

Core Competencies:

Effective communication and engagement with both internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Highly analytical: gathering, verifying, and interpreting qualitative and quantitative data to inform effective decision-making.

Governance: ensuring strict compliance with policy, legislation, and regulatory guidelines.

Case load management: including day-to-day management and resolution of risks/issues.

Focused on continued professional development.

IT Skills: proficient and experienced with MS Excel, Word, Access and Powerpoint.

Employment History:

November 2024 - present Gaynor-Smith Owen & Co Solicitors (temporary post)

Assisting with the entire conveyancing process from quote and Memorandum of Sale to post completion

Also assisting in Wills and Probate from start to finish

September – November 2024 HCB Solicitors

Assisting with the entire conveyancing process from quote and Memorandum of Sale to post completion

Assisting with searches, contracts and completion of each matter, making sure all accounting was completed each time.

February 2023 – September 2024 – Hallmark Whatley Hulme – Legal Secretary & Administrator

Audio typing using case management system

Opening files for all staff for all property related matters, such as Lease extensions and staircasing and closing files and archiving

Assisting with the entire conveyancing process from quote and Memorandum of Sale to post completion

Liaising with other solicitors, estate agents, Land Registry, banks and building societies to further the conveyancing process.

May 2021 – January 2023 Sanctuary Housing – Compliance Administrator

Using spreadsheets in Excel, SAP accounting system, Outlook, Word and Teams to process invoices for compliance & servicing checks on lifts and equipment for the disabled. I am able to send maintenance certificates to external contractors, as well as any internal parties that may require them. I was under pressure daily to ensure that all certificates and invoices are processed in a given timeframe, and liaise with accounts and contractors to eradicate any errors in the invoices.

January – February 2021 – NPS Care – Administrator

Using case management system, Microsoft Office and SPINE to refer diabetic clients and book appointments.

August – October 2020– Russell & Co – Conveyancing Legal Secretary

Audio typing using SOS case management system

Assisting with the entire conveyancing process from quote and Memorandum of Sale to post completion

January 2018 to March 2020: Fieldfisher LLP / Equal Pay Legal, Legal Administrator

Audio typing using case management system, including mailmerge to send out letters and offers

Creating bespoke spreadsheets and presentations as required from simple to complex

Opening and closing files and archiving

Dealing with both email and telephone queries, as well as many in person discussions, and using Excel to calculate offers after fees

Other administrative duties including first aid, as well as post distribution and processing.

Checking closing data of files and returning original documents.

August to December 2017: Thursfields Solicitors, Legal Secretary (Temporary)

Audio typing using SOS case management system

Opening and closing files and archiving

Assisting with the entire conveyancing process from quote and Memorandum of Sale to post completion

Liaising with other solicitors, estate agents, Land Registry, banks and building societies to further the conveyancing process.

December 2016 to April 2017: NHS Covercroft Centre, Droitwich, Medical Secretary (Temporary)

Audio typing letters, Notes and reports

Telephone work

September 2011 - May 2016: Harrison Clark Rickerbys Solicitors, Legal Secretary

Liaising with Fee Earners to assist with both wills and probates.

Ensuring compliance to all necessary legislation.

Drafting and completing Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Using SOS case management system in order to manage cases effectively.

Liaising with partners in order to assist with various administration work.

Overseeing land registry searches, bankruptcy searches and conveyancing work.

Probate management: liaising with individuals regarding assets of the deceased and assisting Fee Earners as required.

Arranging meetings for Solicitors and ensuring all required documentation was provided.

Conducting various audio typing tasks.

Managing the preparation of files for Solicitors and liaising with various internal departments where required to manage case files.

Early Career History:

March 2006 - May 2008: Harrison Clark Solicitors, Legal Secretary

May 2004 - March 2006: Parkinson Wright Solicitors, Legal Secretary

July 2003 - April 2005: Various roles working as an Administrator or Legal Secretary

July 2001 - June 2003: Thursfields Solicitors, Legal Secretary

Education:

A levels: Law and History and Psychology

8 GCSEs

Training:

BTEC in Computing, Comptia 2009+ in Computer Essentials and Practical skills, MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) examinations in Computer skills.

Attending courses in Effective Writing, Administration Skills and OCR Level 3 in Counselling.

2015: Pitman Sage 50 2011 Course & Pitman Legal Secretary Wills & Probate Course.

RSA stage I Typing, RSA stage I, II & III Word Processing, RSA stage I & II Audio Word Processing.

Student member of the Institute of Legal Executives: Passed Part I and Part II Land Law, Equity & Trusts and Wills & Probate, Conveyancing and Employment law.

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