Legal Secretary - Commercial Property

Sewell Wallis are currently working with a well-established law firm, based in York, North Yorkshire, that is looking for a Legal Secretary to join its successful Commercial Property team. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, takes pride in getting the detail right and likes being the person that fee earners and clients can rely on.

You'll provide comprehensive secretarial and administrative support to the Commercial property team, helping to keep matters moving from instruction through to completion.

If you're already working as a Legal Secretary within residential property, or have relevant property experience and are ready for your next challenge, this could be a really good fit.

What will you be doing?

You'll be providing day-to-day secretarial and administrative support to fee earners, including:

* Preparing, formatting and amending correspondence, contracts, reports and other legal documentation.

Producing documents accurately using templates, precedents, digital dictation and fee earner instructions.

* Managing diaries and arranging client appointments, meetings and telephone calls. Acting as a professional first point of contact for clients, estate agents, lenders and other external contacts.

* Handling incoming calls, emails and post, dealing with routine queries and making sure anything requiring legal input is passed to the appropriate fee earner.

* Opening, closing and maintaining client files in line with firm procedures.

* Keeping case management systems and client records accurate and up to date.

* Preparing correspondence and documents for signature and dispatch.

* Carrying out copying, scanning, filing and other general administrative duties.

* Assisting with client onboarding, identification checks, conflict checks and other compliance processes.

* Supporting fee earners with exchange and completion administration and keeping track of important dates and deadlines.

* Liaising with clients, estate agents, lenders, brokers and other third parties under the direction of the fee earner.

* Providing cover for other members of the secretarial team when required. Helping the department run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

You'll be expected to take ownership of your workload, keep fee earners updated on priorities and flag any potential issues or conflicting deadlines early.

And, of course, accuracy is key. Property transactions involve plenty of documents, dates and detail, so you'll need to have a good eye for detail and take pride in getting things right the first time.

What skills are we looking for?

We're looking for someone who understands what it takes to be a great Legal Secretary and who enjoys working as part of a busy property team.

Ideally, you'll have previous legal secretarial experience, preferably within property or conveyancing. You'll be confident supporting fee earners and comfortable working to deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

You'll also bring:

* Strong audio and copy typing skills with excellent attention to detail.

* Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.

* Excellent spelling, grammar and written communication skills.

* Strong organisational and time management skills.

The ability to manage multiple tasks and competing deadlines without losing track of the details.

* A professional and confident telephone manner.

* Excellent client care skills and the ability to communicate with people at all levels.

* The ability to work independently while also being a supportive member of the wider team.

* A proactive attitude — you're someone who spots what needs doing rather than waiting to be asked.

* The ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.

* Good IT skills and the confidence…