Senior Legal Secretary (Private Client)

A great opportunity for an experienced Legal Secretary to join one of the largest legal practices in Surrey.

• Based in Guildford
• £28,000 - £32,000 salary (DOE)
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Monday - Friday, 37 hours per week
• Could potentially work from home

Job Description:

• Prepare letters, legal documents, and other correspondence using audio typing and word processing, ensuring high standards of presentation.
• Handle daily filing tasks, including the opening, closing, storage, and retrieval of client files in line with firm procedures.
• Organise outgoing mail and enclosures for dispatch. Carry out photocopying tasks, personally if no assistant is available.
• Schedule appointments, arrange meetings, and maintain an up-to-date diary for your principal.
• Prepare and tidy the conference room for meetings and provide refreshments when required.
• Welcome and assist clients both in person and by phone, delivering professional, friendly service aligned with the firm’s client care standards.
• Assist other secretaries as needed and offer guidance to junior or temporary staff when required.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding client and firm information, and complete online forms and other administrative tasks as needed.
• Use the firm’s case management system effectively. Contribute to improvements in document quality and departmental efficiency.
• Take part in any necessary training and take personal responsibility for continued development.
• Carry out any additional duties as required by the firm from time to time.

Person Specification:

• Significant prior experience as a Legal Secretary, including at least one year within Private Client law.
• Familiarity with Practice Evolve or similar case management systems.
• Solid understanding of legal procedures and terminology.
• Intermediate to advanced IT proficiency, particularly in relevant software packages.
• Fast and accurate touch-typing skills.
• Keeps pace with the fee earner’s workload and ensures timely document production.
• Consistently demonstrates strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Effectively manages priorities and meets occasional deadlines under pressure.
• Proactive approach to work and willing to take on additional tasks as required.
• Communicates professionally with clients both in person and by phone.
• Offers high-quality customer service, with sensitivity to the needs of vulnerable or distressed clients.
• Progresses client matters efficiently with appropriate supervision.
• A cooperative team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• Positive, committed, and genuinely interested in legal work.
• Maintains good attendance and a consistent, can-do attitude.
• Willing to support fee earners and the wider team as needed.

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays
• Annual salary review
• Annual bonus scheme
• Pension contribution
• Death in Service benefit of 4 x salary
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Paid professional memberships
• Long service rewards
• Private medical cover
• Company sick pay
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health and Wellbeing initiatives
• Regular socials
• Enhanced maternity/paternity leave, shared parental leave and adoption benefits
• Flexible/hybrid working
• Sabbaticals
• Study Leave

Refer a friend and earn £100! If you have a friend who is also searching for a new opportunity in the local area, recommend Optima and if we place them (providing they complete their 3-month probation period), you will receive a £100 retail voucher of your choice!

Please note that if you have not been contacted within 5 working days, then unfortunately on this occasion your CV has not been shortlisted.

By applying for this vacancy, you accept Optima Recruitment Limited’s Privacy and GDPR Policy which can be found on our website and therefore gives us consent to contact you.

Optima Recruitment Limited are acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy and are an equal opportunities employer.