Senior Legal Assistant - Medical Negligence

My client is a leading law firm featured in The Times’ Best Law Firms, who consistently achieve recognition in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. They are seeking a Senior Legal Assistant to join their Medical Negligence team in Southampton. Within the role you will have access to long-term career opportunities and be part of a team that truly values its staff. Their modern offices also boast a subsidised on-site restaurant/coffee shop.

Working as part of a team of Senior Legal Assistants, you will provide direct support to four of the lawyers of the team, including one of the Partners and a Senior Associate, handling a mixture of chargeable and non-chargeable duties, including:

• Initial advice and guidance to new clients
• Acting as a point of contact and team liaison throughout the course of a matter – responding as appropriate and/or ensuring that all messages are passed on in a timely manner.
• Take an active part in the care of clients and be wholly familiar with contacts and clients both internal and external.
• File opening and closure (and associated due diligence)
• Supporting the credit control process by creating bills and liaising with accounts to arrange payment of disbursements and client account payments.
• Administrative tasks such as creating bundles, typing from dictation, collating medical records, and court e-filing.
• Using the case management system to maintain up-to-date information on clients and their matters.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a career Legal Assistant who is looking for that next step opportunity that entails more responsibility and a greater level of involvement in the day-to-day management of client matters. This would also suit a Senior / Legal Assistant with longer-term ambitions to become a Paralegal or a qualified lawyer,

Skills and experience required:

• A Legal Assistant (or similarly qualified legal support professional) with prior experience in Medical Negligence, Personal Injury or Litigation.
• An individual with prior experience working in the health sector or another type of medical environment would also be of interest.
• Familiarity with time recording and experience with working toward a small fee target would be beneficial, but is not essential. 
• Engaging, empathetic, and friendly communication style, with the ability to interact confidently with clients (and their families) who are going through an extremely difficult time.
• Excellent organisation skills, attention to detail, and a naturally proactive approach to your duties.
• Somebody who is flexible, dependable, and able to take the initiative.
• A willingness to get “stuck in” and support others across the team when needed.
• An ability to remain calm under pressure and work to tight deadlines.

Whilst this position is offered full-time, they are a flexible team and are open to considering alternative working patterns. There will also be scope for this person to split their time between working from home and in the office once settled.

Benefits:

As a career firm, my client rewards the work their people undertake with continued personal development opportunities. In most roles, they are open to supporting hybrid, flexible working and different work patterns. 

My client also offers great benefits including 28 days’ annual leave, private medical insurance, income protection, life assurance, firmwide bonus scheme and a generous pension scheme.