Junior Practice Assistant

Farrer & Co is synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and service.

We advise individuals, families, businesses, financial services, educational and not-for-profit organisations on every aspect of the law, wherever the need arises. From our offices in London we work with trusted professionals around the world to deliver a seamless international service.

Our clients present us with complex and varied challenges. Whether that's a complicated family trust issue, a multinational corporate transaction, or an emerging threat to their reputation, they need clear thinkers who can advise on the best solutions, fast thinkers when speed is of the essence and agile thinkers who can produce a fresh approach to get the job done. That's why they choose us.

Our clients value our in-depth knowledge, technical excellence and diversity of disciplines. But what really binds our long-standing relationships with them is our approach: pragmatic, plain speaking and always steadfast in our values, which we hold dear. Values which mean we gain our clients' trust, always strive to do the right thing, and aim for the best results for them.

Superb client service sits at the heart of everything we do. We are modern lawyers with timeless values.

Our dispute resolution team handles a full range of litigation matters, from contract claims to large scale, complex multi-jurisdictional disputes and judicial review.  We regularly appear in the High Court and the Court of Protection as well as courts in the Channel Islands and overseas.  We also have significant experience of alternative dispute resolution and, in particular, arbitration and mediation.  We act for a broad array of clients including individuals, businesses ranging from small family businesses to significant corporates, banks, trustees and trust companies as well as schools, higher education institutions and not-for-profit organisations.  Our experience across this range of sectors ensures that our litigators understand the impact which a dispute can have on both an individual and at an organisational level.  Each dispute requires a tailored solution, and we are committed to working quickly with you to identify and understand the issues you are facing in order to achieve the best possible result.

The disputes team is recruiting for a Junior Practice Assistant on a 6 month fixed-term contract basis.

Organisational Support

• Has an awareness of PA and Fee Earners' workloads and assists them to plan ahead.
• Assists Fee earners and PAs in monitoring critical dates on matters.

Client Relationship and Business Development

• Provides excellent service to clients, fee earners and colleagues, in a timely and professional manner, presenting a positive image of the Firm at all times.
• Understands and uses InterAction effectively to support fee earners’ BD efforts including recording business development meetings in InterAction as required.

Document Production

• Produces typed work accurately, a high speed and in accordance with the firm’s house style.
• Makes effective use of the Document Management System.
• Creates new documents from the Firm’s templates, using contact data from InterAction where appropriate.
• ?Proof-reads all documents for spelling, grammar and sense, querying wording where appropriate.
• Assists in the production of ebundles where required.

IT Skills/Systems

• Maintains a high level of proficiency in core IT applications including the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).

File Management

• Ensures that files within the case management system are kept in good order so that documents can be easily accessed.
• Works in accordance with the department protocol in relation to e-filing.
• Works with Fee Earners and other PAs to maintain regular file management, ensuring all files are closed and archived, as appropriate, and a risk assessment having been undertaken.
• Keeps accurate records of all files sent to off-site storage via Records.

Financial Risk Management

• Has a good knowledge and application of the Firm's procedures in billing, AML, Credit Control and debt management.
• Sets up conflict searches for review by fee earners, correctly identifying the appropriate classification for each entry, seeking guidance where necessary.
• Prepares bills (including bill narratives if required) and covering letter to client, as required by fee earners.
• Deals with time-recording matters for Fee Earners as required (for example, to record holiday absence).

• Has excellent timekeeping and prioritises work effectively.
• Is flexible, reliable, co-operative and has a professional approach to work.
• Works as a positive, friendly and helpful team player.
• Communicates in a positive and constructive manner.
• Interacts in good faith and demonstrates effective listening.
• Recognises, respects and honours client confidentiality at all times.

Farrer & Co conducts a pre-employment screening which consists of a Criminal History Background and Credit Check for successful candidates.