About The Role
An excellent opportunity for a proactive and self-motivated Legal Secretary to join our Austen Hays (part of Gateley) team. The role is based in our London office. A regular office presence is required of three days per week, with a hybrid option for mixing home and office working. We are seeking someone who wants to work within a supportive, ambitious, growing and energetic team in an award-winning law-led professional services business.
The Team
Austen Hays (part of Gateley) focuses on class actions, bringing actions against large corporates on behalf of thousands of individuals and small businesses. The firm aims to deliver access to justice in a fair, efficient and transparent way. The team uses the right expertise and technology to support collective redress and help claimants share cost and risk across many people or organisations in similar situations. Claimant-centred class actions are a growing area of law that holds businesses to account to ensure access to justice and fair compensation for consumers.
The firm has invested in technology to support hundreds of thousands of claimants to opt into a class action, limiting manual intervention. The successful candidate is expected to engage more with legal queries than administrative tasks. Leadership in launching and managing group actions, including international elements and funding structures, comes from Managing Director and Partner Chaya Hanoomanjee and Partner Alicia Theuma, who bring broad experience in group actions and settlements.
The Person
The successful candidate should demonstrate the following attributes:
* Demonstrable experience in an operational management position, ideally managing the operational elements of a class actions firm with risk awareness.
* Ability to execute case timelines and deadlines, provide summaries and reports, and maintain clear, timely communication.
* Experience overseeing a case management system and collaborating to implement new systems or modify existing ones.
* Ability to drive caseload activity, gather information to execute new matters, manage engagement at all touchpoints through the case process, and communicate client-specific billing and matter management requirements.
* Experience liaising between partners, fee earners and the billing department to ensure invoices are accurate and compliant with client requirements and deadlines; assist partners with billing processes, reporting and follow up.
* Strong internal stakeholder management and ability to build and strengthen relationships with internal business support teams.
* Responsibility for risk register and ensuring necessary protocols are in place from risk, compliance, regulatory and finance perspectives.
* Manage Austen Hays insurance policies and keep records up to date.
* Liaise with external suppliers and manage client relationships.
* Assist legal team with client-related project support and provide operational risk assistance as needed to support Austen Hays operationally.
* Excellent IT skills; proficient with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and relevant case management systems.
* Commitment to being part of a hard-working team with the flexibility to support transactional activity.
* Drive, motivation and a “can do” attitude; discretion and professionalism; exceptional attention to detail.
Responsibilities
* Operate in an operational management capacity within a class actions environment with risk awareness.
* Coordinate case timelines, deadlines, summaries and reports; communicate clearly and promptly.
* Oversee case management systems and collaborate on system enhancements.
* Propel caseload activity, gather information for new matters, and manage client-specific billing and matter management needs.
* Coordinate between partners, fee earners and billing to ensure accurate, compliant invoices.
* Maintain strong internal stakeholder relationships and support cross-functional teams.
* Maintain risk and compliance protocols and finance-related processes.
* Manage insurance policies and external supplier relationships; support client-related projects.
* Provide operational risk support to the Austen Hays team and ensure high standards of IT proficiency.
About Us and Benefits
We offer support, coaching and feedback with development and progression opportunities. A competitive remuneration package includes an annual bonus opportunity. Learn platform provides learning and development opportunities, and the My Flex rewards package includes annual leave options, cycle to work, critical illness benefit, employee assistance programme, group pension, health care, season ticket loan and other benefits (grade dependent). Perks At Work/Home offers additional retail benefits and access to a Community Online Academy with free courses.
We are Gateley, a forward-thinking, straight-talking professional services group with a wide client base in the UK and beyond. Our shared values include Ambitious for Success, Forward Thinking, Room to Breathe, Trusted to Do and Working Together. Gateley is committed to diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and is recognised by The Law Society as a gold standard for our Diversity and Inclusion Charter and as Stonewall Diversity Champions. We offer flexible working patterns to support work/life balance and encourage applicants seeking flexibility to apply for vacancies.
Additional Information: If you are offered a role, pre-employment screening checks will be completed. Checks may include eligibility to work, qualifications, criminal records, financial stability and references.
Job Details
* Seniority level: Entry level
* Employment type: Full-time
* Job function: Legal
* Industries: Professional Services
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