Job Description
Owen Reed is looking for a Senior Practice Assistant for a top law firm in London.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Senior Practice Assistant to join a highly regarded Employment team on a part-time job-share basis. The successful candidate will work 2.5–3 days per week (Wednesday to Friday), providing high-level, proactive support to fee earners and the wider team.
The role suits someone who is exceptionally organised, detail-oriented and confident managing a broad and varied workload in a fast-paced legal environment.
Working Hours
* Part-time: 2.5–3 days per week
* Wednesday to Friday, 9.30am – 5.30pm
The Role
As a Senior Practice Assistant, you will provide comprehensive practice and PA support to allocated fee earners, while remaining flexible to assist across the wider Employment team. You will act as a trusted support professional, anticipating needs, managing priorities and contributing positively to team performance.
Key ResponsibilitiesOrganisational & Practice Support
* Proactive diary management with forward planning based on fee earner workloads
* Monitoring key dates, deadlines and matter-related activities
* Arranging meetings (including online and hybrid), travel and itineraries
* Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of fee earners’ matters
* Processing applications, forms, searches and internal procedures with minimal supervision
* Conducting basic research and preparing materials for client meetings
* Continuously improving PA support processes and systems
Client Relationship & Business Development
* Acting as a first point of contact for fee earners
* Delivering a consistently high level of client service
* Supporting business development meetings and events (including online technical support)
* Assisting with BD materials in collaboration with the BD team
* Using Rio to record BD activity, set reminders and support follow-ups
* Developing an understanding of client needs and departmental work to support new enquiries
Document Production
* Producing high-quality documents at speed, in line with house style
* Creating documents using firm templates and contact data from Rio
* Proofreading all documents for accuracy, grammar and clarity
* Drafting correspondence on behalf of fee earners where appropriate
* Supporting ebundle preparation
* Acting as a role model in document production standards and mentoring others
* Working with IT to test and improve templates and precedents
IT & Systems
* Super-user level proficiency in:
* Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
* Aderant, Rio, Intapp and Diktamen
* Troubleshooting IT issues and liaising with IT when required
* Supporting system development and testing initiatives
File & Risk Management
* Maintaining accurate and well-organised electronic files
* Ensuring compliance with e-filing and department protocols
* Managing file closures, archiving and off-site storage records
* Supporting AML, conflict checks and client onboarding processes
* Drafting client care letters and preparing bills and narratives
* Managing billing cycles, WIP, time recording and unpaid bill follow-up
* Monitoring finance-related KPIs
Skills & Experience
Essential
* Previous secretarial / practice assistant experience within a law firm
* GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics
* Strong organisational and prioritisation skills
* Excellent communication and attention to detail
* Confident working under pressure and managing competing demands
* Proactive, flexible and reliable team player
Desirable
* Experience supporting an Employment team