Legal Secretary

Commercial Property, Southampton

Paris Smith LLP is one of the South’s leading law firms with a clear strategy and vision for the future. We are committed to ensuring that clients have a positive experience with the Firm and to inspiring our people to reach their full potential, aligned with our values. We have offices in Southampton, Winchester and Bournemouth, with 40 partners and over 170 staff.

The Role

We are looking for a talented Full-time Secretary to join our Commercial Property team in Southampton. Recognised as an “outstanding Property team” and a leader in the South of England, our Property Lawyers have a well-earned reputation for providing sound and pragmatic legal advice across all Property matters.

The successful candidate will be an excellent team player who will support fee-earners in the team with high caseloads. You will need to be highly organised, able to handle first line client queries, and have excellent keyboard, document and audio-typing skills

Key responsibilities will include:

• Opening including conflict checks and dealing with AML requirements including setting up and carrying out identification of clients and source of funds using Ecos System

• Audio typing

• Typing, amending, and formatting draft documents and reports

• Setting up documents on DocuSign

• Preparation and maintenance of data sites using Fusion

• Accessing and downloading documents from third party data sites

• Drafting and submitting Land Registry applications and dealing with requisitions raised

• Submitting property, planning and Land Registry searches

• Drafting and sending correspondence

• Drafting Laserform documents including Statutory notices and declarations

• Dealing with banks/lenders to request redemption statements

• Obtaining and placing indemnity policies on risk

• Drafting SDLT returns for approval and online submission to HMRC

• Preparing completion and reconciliation statements and invoices

• Carrying out checks on bank details via Lawyer Checker

• Setting up BACS and CHAPS payments

• Closing files and dealing with related compliance matters

• Preparing monthly account summary reports for lawyers and actioning points raised

• Preparing update reports for clients as required

• Recording and maintaining undertaking records

• Maintaining team diary with key dates

• Booking meetings, hotels and travel as required

• Assisting clients with queries via the phone and email

• Maintaining deeds records, booking in and out of deeds and ensuring schedules are updated

Our ideal candidate with have the following qualities:

• Trained in secretarial practice with accuracy.

• Excellent keyboard and audio-typing skills.

• Excellent IT Skills e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, DocuSign

• Great communication and organisation skills

• A positive attitude, willing and highly motivated

• Pride in the quality of work produced, will use their initiative and will have a strong sense of personal responsibility

• The ability to work collaboratively and be a team player

In return we offer a competitive salary, a comprehensive range of benefits and a first-class working environment within a leading regional law practice. Please submit your CV and cover letter to us by using the ‘apply’ button above.