About the Role
We are looking for a proactive and highly organised Legal Secretary to provide dedicated support to Dawn Reynolds and colleagues in our Real Estate Dispute Resolution team in Birmingham. You will help us deliver a smooth, responsive service on a broad mix of contentious real estate work including lease renewals, dilapidations and possession claims. This is a hands‑on role where you will work closely with a small number of fee earners rather than being part of a national secretarial pool, giving you clear ownership and continuity. Our hybrid pattern for full‑time roles is three days in the office and two from home.
What You Will Do
* Produce, format and amend legal documents and correspondence to a high standard including pleadings, applications, witness statements and instructions to counsel.
* Create and maintain court bundles and hearing packs; manage e‑filing and submissions to court portals where required.
* Support property litigation workflows on matters such as contested and uncontested lease renewals, break notices, dilapidation issues, possession claims and telecoms notices, ensuring key dates are diarised and actioned.
* Engage in digital dictation, copy typing and transcription, ensuring accuracy and brand consistency across all outputs.
* File opening and closing, compliance checks and matter management in line with internal procedures.
* Proactive diary management for fee earners, arranging meetings, mediations and conferences with clients, counsel and third parties.
* Liaise with clients by phone and email, providing timely updates and a friendly, professional first point of contact.
* Support billing and WIP, time recording assistance and expense processing to help the team meet its financial targets.
* Coordinate travel, events and team administration, and contribute to knowledge, precedents and process improvements within the group.
Team
Our Real Estate Dispute Resolution team sits within Gateley Legal’s wider Property division and is known for straight‑talking, commercially focused advice on complex property disputes. The team acts for developers, investors, landlords, tenants and public bodies and is led in Birmingham by Partner Dawn Reynolds. You will be working alongside experienced litigators who value collaboration, clarity and momentum.
Candidate Attributes
* Prior experience as a Legal Secretary, ideally within litigation or property, with strong digital dictation and document production skills.
* Calm, confident communication and a client‑centred approach.
* Excellent attention to detail and a track record of meeting deadlines in a busy practice.
* Solid IT skills across Microsoft 365 and case management systems.
* A team mindset and the initiative to anticipate what your fee earners need next.
About Us
Gateley is a legal and professional services group that supports more than 5,700 active clients, ranging from FTSE 100 companies to private individuals, in the UK and beyond.
Benefits
We offer a competitive remuneration package, including an annual bonus, plus a wide range of learning and development opportunities via our Learn platform. Your My Flex comprehensive rewards package includes options covering annual leave (and the option to purchase extra days), cycle to work, critical illness benefit, employee assistance programme, group personal pension, health care, season ticket loan and many more benefits. Perks at Work/Home let you select a host of retail benefits that suit your needs.
Diversity, Inclusion & Well‑Being
We recruit talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, providing equal opportunities for all to join our team regardless of age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability or culture. We are proud to have been recognised by The Law Society as a gold standard for our Diversity and Inclusion Charter and as Stonewall Diversity Champions.
Pre‑Employment Screening
If you receive an offer, you will undergo pre‑employment screening checks, including eligibility to work, professional and academic qualifications, background and reference checks, and financial stability checks. The screening process will be relevant to your role and may vary.
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