Legal Secretary - Family at Birketts LLP
Birketts is a full‑service, UK Top 50 law firm with 700+ lawyers and legal professionals across the UK. We advise business, government, public sector and private clients across Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client. Our Next Level Law approach drives proactive partnership and innovation for clients and staff alike. The firm is recognised as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024 and is committed to ESG, diversity and community impact.
The Department
Our Family Team totals 28 specialist lawyers, including 8 partners, and is a national, award‑winning practice. We provide legal services in divorce, separation, relationship difficulties, modern families (surrogacy, adoption, fertility law), international family issues, pre‑ and post‑marriage agreements, child arrangements, mediation, One‑Couple‑One‑Lawyer, arbitration, and financial arrangements.
Purpose of the Role
You will deliver professional, proactive, high‑level secretarial support to the Family Team, primarily for the Sevenoaks and London offices, and assist across all seven locations. Your support will be central to ensuring timely, accurate, and client‑focussed documentation and client engagement.
Accountabilities – Technical Ability
* Produce and amend documents, create PDF court bundles with speed and accuracy.
* Format, paginate, number and present documents in the Birketts LLP house style.
* Proof‑read all work for spelling and grammar.
* Use key software packages and pursue training to enhance relevant skills.
* Collaborate with fee earners to meet documentation requirements and deadlines.
* Cover holiday and sickness absences in other teams when required.
Accountabilities – Administrative Skills
* Manage diaries of fee earners in Microsoft Outlook.
* Scan, save and manage incoming and outgoing post.
* Maintain datarooms, file‑management processes, Intapp and other systems.
* Open and close client matters, conduct conflict checks and complete engagement letters, send Thirdfort invitations.
* Arrange appointments, meetings, conferences and payments.
* Maintain electronic and paper filing, spreadsheets and other administrative records.
* Coordinate mediation enquiries and related matters.
Accountabilities – Professional Skills
* Clarify instructions and deadlines from fee earners.
* Respond to internal and external telephone enquiries politely, accurately capture messages.
* Support other Family Team assistants and provide coverage as required.
* Support London and Sevenoaks fee earners across all activities and perform any other reasonable duties.
Accountabilities – General Approach
* Demonstrate a positive approach and genuine interest in fee earners’ work.
* Show initiative, seek solutions and support customers demanding high‑quality output.
The Candidate
You bring operational excellence, strong communication skills and a general skill set including:
* Strong administration experience.
* Positive, enthusiastic and professional attitude.
* Reliability and strong attention to detail.
* Self‑motivation, initiative and a learning mindset.
* A willingness to share process improvements with the wider team.
Skills
* Typing speed ≥ 50 wpm.
* Excellent spelling and punctuation.
* Excellent written and verbal communications.
* Discretion and professional judgement.
* Proficient IT skills (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
* Positive, enthusiastic teamwork.
* Good telephone manner.
* Adaptable, flexible and resilient under pressure.
* Commitment to ongoing learning and development.
Equal Opportunities
Birketts is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and our selection is based on merit. We do not tolerate discrimination on any protected basis.
Benefits
* 25 days holiday (FTE) + Bank Holidays.
* Long Service Holiday Award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service.
* Private Healthcare with BUPA (after probation).
* Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% employee).
* Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus.
* Salary sacrifice (Pensions, staff profit share).
* Life Assurance – 4 × salary / Permanent Health Insurance.
* Paid CSR Day.
* Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave.
* Subsidised gym membership.
* Electric car scheme.
* Agile/Hybrid Working Policy.
* Dress for your Day Policy.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Legal
Industries
Law Practice
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