The Firm
Panetta McGrath Lawyers is a boutique law firm specialising in health / medical defence law, insurance law, employment and workplace relations and criminal defence. The firm is growing, busy and highly regarded in its fields. The culture is professional, pragmatic and values high standards of client service, responsiveness and judgement. The work is fast paced and often sensitive. Files can move quickly and priorities can change daily.
The Director
You will work directly with the Director who runs a large medico-legal and professional liability practice. The role involves close day to day collaboration, supporting both the legal practice and a range of strategic, operational and personal matters connected with the role. The Director is organised, driven and client focused, but operates at a high volume and across many complex files and stakeholders. They need a trusted, senior assistant who can anticipate needs, manage competing priorities and create structure and order around a demanding practice.
The Role
This is a newly elevated Executive Assistant / Personal Assistant role, not a traditional legal assistant position. It is a true partnership role requiring maturity, sound judgement and strong discretion. You will be calm under pressure, highly organised and able to think several steps ahead. You will be comfortable supporting at a senior professional level while also being hands on and practical in solving day to day issues.
The work will span legal practice support, executive support and selected personal administration. You will act as a gatekeeper, organiser and trusted right hand, ensuring the Director's time, files and commitments are managed effectively and nothing falls through the cracks.
Key Responsibilities
* Strategic diary and inbox management
* Proactive file and task tracking to ensure deadlines, court timetables and reporting obligations are met
* Drafting and editing high level correspondence and emails
* Supporting preparation for court and client meetings, including collating key documents
* Liaising with clients, insurers, counsel and experts in a professional and confident manner
* Coordinating travel, conferences, mediations and key client meetings
* Managing billing, file openings and key administrative workflows at a senior level
* Assisting with internal projects, presentations and strategic initiatives within the firm
* Discreet handling of selected personal administration connected with the Director's role and schedule
Skills and Experience
This role requires an experienced Executive Assistant or senior Legal Assistant who has supported a partner, barrister or senior executive in a professional services environment. Litigation experience will be highly regarded but is not essential if you have strong judgement and organisational capability.
You will bring:
* Proven experience supporting a senior professional in a fast moving environment
* Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail
* Strong written communication and confidence drafting professional correspondence
* Ability to manage competing priorities and remain composed under pressure
* Sound judgement, discretion and a high level of confidentiality
* Professional, warm and confident manner with senior stakeholders and clients
* Strong systems skills and comfort working with legal practice management software (NetDocs and Unity)
* A proactive mindset, with the ability to anticipate issues rather than react to them
Why This Role
This is a substantial, trusted role with genuine scope and influence. You will work closely with a Director on interesting and often complex matters that have real professional and reputational significance for clients. The role offers variety, responsibility and the opportunity to become an integral part of a high performing legal practice.
If you are an experienced EA or senior legal assistant who enjoys being relied upon, thinking ahead and operating as a true partner to a busy professional, we would like to hear from you.