Legal Assistant

Job Details

Job Title: Legal Assistant

Reports To: Partner

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of, and working in partnership with your allocated Property Lawyer, assist in the management of their caseload of mixed sale and purchase residential property transactions.

To work with your aligned lawyer to maximise exchanges

To proactively progress transactions managing inbound and outbound telephone calls and building enhanced relationships with your clients and the Estate Agents in order to deliver a service of excellence whilst maximising profitability of the company.

Key Result Areas

• To thoroughly understand the conveyancing process and be able to (but not limited to):
  

  • Along with your aligned lawyer, be the main point of contact for all communication from clients and other lawyers directly related to the transaction, verbally and through email

  • Pro-actively progress transactions by identifying what/who needs to be chased and undertaking this chasing i.e documentation, funds etc

  • Undertake chaser work as directed by your aligned lawyer

  • Pro-actively keep your clients updated

  • Chase exchanges and arrange and negotiate completion dates

  • Co-ordinate related sale and purchase transactions

  • With supervision, draft letters to clients/ other parties to the transaction

  • With supervision, draft legal document such as Contracts for Sale and Transfer Deeds

  • With supervision, deal with basic sale enquiries

  • Compiling together the Completion Pack and corresponding with Client Accounting in respect to the same in readiness for Completion of transactions.

  • Resolve file escalations to move the transaction forward (with lawyer guidance if required)

  • Assist your lawyer dealing with Anti Money Laundering obligations

  • Pro-actively keep group Estate Agents and Financial Services updated where required

  • Accessing third party websites to obtain information as directed by your lawyer i.e Search company, FENSA, planning portals, etc

  • Admin as and when required e.g. filing, photocopying etc
    
    

• Understand and operate the companys procedures and policies to monitor workflow, avoid fraud and/or negligence and continually improve performance standards.

• Assist your aligned lawyer in their time management and prioritisation

• Understand, operate and maximise the potential of the companys conveyancing case management system throughout a conveyancing transaction.

• Work on own initiative to identify tasks which improve the customer service relationship with clients optimise exchanges.

• Support your aligned lawyer in chasing exchanges, by calling third parties involved in the transaction, as directed.

• Ensure accurate caseload maintained by undertaking status checks, placing files into abeyance or died status and returning documents.

• Undertake any other task as reasonably requested by your Property Lawyer and the office Partner.

Direct Reports

None

Communication and Working Relationships

Internal - Liaise with other Lawyers and Assistants, client accounting and shared services.

External - Liaise with prospective and existing clients, estate agents, other solicitors and Conveyancers, mortgage lenders, brokers and other work providers.