legal advisor Solihull, England
Job description
Fieldfisher LLP has 26 offices across 11 countries and is a leading European law firm.
Our UK Contentious Tax team has many years’ experience of all types of tax disputes across the whole of the tax system. This ranges from acting for FTSE 100 companies in complex cross-border matters through to assisting HNW and UHNW private individuals. Containing both solicitors and barristers, the team is able to advise on all contentious matters that pertain to tax. The team's work mix includes disclosures to HMRC, civil enquiries, criminal enquiries, litigation before the tax tribunals, professional negligence actions and restitution, rectification and rescission claims before the High Court and non-UK courts.
We are a friendly and open team that operates at a high level, whilst retaining a healthy respect for work-life balance.
Our team has fee earners in both Fieldfisher's London and Birmingham offices and works seamlessly between the two locations.
Long recognised in both Chambers and Legal 500, the Fieldfisher Contentious Tax team was shortlisted for Litigation Team of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2022.
Inclusiveness and Diversity
At Fieldfisher, led by the social model of disability, we are working towards removing accessibility barriers and maximising disability and neurodiversity inclusion in our recruitment processes.
Should you have any accessibility requirements, please contact a member of Fieldfisher's Recruitment Team who will work with you to implement suitable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All conversations are treated in the strictest of confidence and we would appreciate your feedback to ensure we can provide an accessible and enjoyable recruitment process.
For accessibility information on our Birmingham offices, please visit our website:
https://www.fieldfisher.com/en/locations/united-kingdom/contact-us/offices/accessing-fieldfisher-birmingham
What can you expect?
- Diary management
- File management responsibilities - Opening and closing files including ensuring electronic filing systems are maintained accurately and up to date.
- Mailbox management with the ability to prioritise, categorise and respond to basic client requests and draft responses accordingly.
- Monitoring and being the gatekeeper to fee-earners' mailbox in their absence.
- Communicate regularly with fee earners to ensure that both parties are clear on priorities and what is on the 'to do' list.
- To undertake limited typing i.e urgent documents.
- Proactive client liaison including take messages, pass on information and deal with simple queries.
- Pro-actively delegate work to the relevant Legal Support Services team e.g Document Production team, Practice Administration to ensure that PA time is maximised and the newly introduced model is being followed.
- Management and co-ordination of the Partners’ billing and financial requirements
- Proactive billing and credit control
- Liaise with Billing for Partner WIP reports
- Run WIP reports and distribute to Partners and chase Partners for client matters numbers for printing billing guides and draft invoice
- Build an understanding of each client's different billing requirements to ensure that invoices are not rejected.
- Prepare specific draft billing narratives where required.
- Prepare draft letters/emails to accompany sensitive invoices, thank you letters etc.
- Submit invoices on behalf of Partners and respond to clients on billing issues.
- Build relationships with Client PAs/accounts departments to ensure that billing issues are resolved quickly.
- Opening new clients
- Prepare and complete AML/Conflicts checks
- Organisation of meeting agendas, presentations and meeting papers ensuring they are distributing to relevant fee earners to enable them to have adequate preparation time.
- InterAction – management of fee earners' contact data including recording BD activities, updating marketing lists, assisting with pipeline/opportunity updates
- Organising conference calls on behalf of the fee earners.
- Organising transport, accommodation and related documentation for international travel as required and produce itinerary as appropriate.
- Assisting with workload of team members within practice group and across the firm as required.
- Any additional ad hoc tasks as required.
A bit about you
- Experienced Legal Secretary/PA with a minimum of 3 years' experience.
- Must possess excellent diary management, organisation and prioritisation skills.
- Must be able to communicate effectively and build good relationships with clients and staff within the firm.
- Must work well as part of a team.
- Must be a competent, fast and accurate typist.
- Must be competent at producing legal documents to a high standard.
- Professional telephone manner and the ability to accurately record and pass on messages.
- Sound technical skills in the following areas - Microsoft Office IT skills – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook (Fieldfisher uses Microsoft 2010).
- Proven document or case management skills (Fieldfisher use Worksite).
- Proven experience of using a legal computerised finance system.
- Proven experience of using a Client Relationship Management system (Fieldfisher use InterAction).
What can we offer you?
Our people are at the core of what we do. Fieldfisher's benefits package is designed to enable all colleagues to thrive in an inclusive and supportive environment. These benefits range from private health insurance, life assurance & income protection, flexi-gym discounts, season ticket loans, bike-to-work loans and much more.
Fieldfisher Birmingham is based in Blythe Park, Solihull that is perfect for those who prefer to escape the hustle and bustle of city centre working. This office in particular has become renowned for working closely and collaboratively with colleagues across the UK and international Fieldfisher Networks and has a future of growth and potential. Our hybrid-working model enables our people to work alongside our Business Support Professionals, Lawyers and Partners supporting major project work in key areas such as Tech, Litigation and Competition in an open plan workspace that encourages a sense of camaraderie.
We understand the importance of collaboration outside of work with lots of different clubs and networks for our people to get involved in, including quiz nights, book club, choir, firm-funded yoga, fitness challenges, football teams, and inclusive events with our nominated charity partners. If you would like to know more, chat with our recruitment team or visit our social media channels to see for yourself!
Culture & personal development
We’re a firm with real entrepreneurial drive and we don’t believe in squashing people’s individuality. We want you to use your unique talents and experiences to help the firm grow. You can only do that by being yourself. And working closely and collaboratively with people throughout the firm. That’s why we foster a culture that encourages you to be yourself.
We’ll give you bespoke support to develop your own career. Whether that’s through allowing you to “access all areas” across the firm, funding you through training for professional development qualifications, or making sure you have a structured career plan, we’ll make sure your talents are being nurtured.
How to apply
Enter your email address on the job advert and press the 'apply now' button to submit your CV and to start your application.
Please note that we recruit on a rolling basis, meaning that your application will most likely be reviewed before the application deadline. We will continue to accept applications until we have successfully filled the role.
