We are looking for an experienced Legal Assistant to work with our Medical Negligence Team Leader.
Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years’ experience in litigation/medical negligence. However, we welcome applications from all levels.
Opportunity
Maxwell Hodge has a supportive and open culture, with Team, Support, Guidance, Resilience and Learning at the heart of everything we do. We prioritise employee wellbeing and foster an environment where people feel valued, included, and happy. We believe people thrive when they feel supported, guided, and inspired and by joining Maxwell Hodge, you will join a team that lifts and celebrates each other and encourages learning. Our aim is to maintain a high performing workforce to provide clients with an excellent client experience to attract clientele, maintain loyalty, and ultimately to achieve business success. If you’re looking to contribute, develop, and feel part of something meaningful, you’ll find your home with us.
A successful legal assistant requires an energetic, proactive, professional, and resilient approach to thrive in a demanding, fast-paced environment. The ability to remain positive and calm with a “can do” attitude is important to multi-task, problem-solve and see jobs through to completion, helping colleagues to achieve results and meet deadlines. Possessing a meticulous nature is also key to stay organised, assist with case management and prepare accurate documents.
Skills, Qualities and Knowledge Required
- Strong typing and document formatting skills with proficiency in MS Office and WeTransfer.
- Exceptional communication and active listening skills.
- Strong organisational skills with high attention to detail.
- Initiative to solve problems before they escalate.
- Good understanding of legal terminology and litigation/Court procedures.
- Teamwork and cooperation to work well with others and provide guidance and support.
- Adaptability to respond positively to change.
- Resilience to remain calm and composed under pressure and overcome challenges and setbacks.
- An attitude for learning and continuous development to grow in the role.
- Willingness and skill to deal with routine queries independent of Fee Earners.
Key Duties
- Attend upon clients and others in person and by telephone to take instructions.
- Open new files on the case management system, prepare initial client care documentation and complete initial steps.
- Type letters, documents and notes dictated by Fee Earners.
- Assist with document preparation, including drafting, proofreading, and editing correspondence, documents, and Court forms/docs. This includes the redaction of medical records/documents.
- Conduct basic legal research to assist with case progression.
- Manage diaries and schedule meetings/appointments, including diarising important reminders and organising conferences with clients, experts, and Counsel.
- Liaise with clients and third parties throughout the claim and keep them updated.
- Keep files organised by ensuring all post is scanned/saved to the matter and labelled accordingly, flagging items that require Fee Earner attention.
- Action next steps in the case management system and assist with progression of matters such as general chasers to third parties when awaiting receipt of documents.
- General office administration duties such as scanning post onto the system.
Salary, Holidays and Benefits
- The salary for this role is up to £24,000 depending on experience.
- Annual holiday entitlement in a full calendar year is 20 days, increasing yearly to 25 days by 5 years’ service. This is in addition to bank holidays and an extra 3 days to be used between Christmas and New Year.
- Paid sick leave, dependant’s leave, and birthday leave.
- Employer Supported Volunteering (2 working days each year).
- Health benefit with Medicash, which new starters can join after 6 months’ service.
- Staff discount on Wills & LPAs and Residential Conveyancing, eligible after 6 months.
- Staff wellbeing and social events.
- Different opportunities for reward and recognition including a Bonus Policy, Employee Referral Programme, Employee Recognition, and a Client Care Quarterly Reward.
- Formal performance review process, including a probation review meeting at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months.
- Annual salary and bonus review in June of each year.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We are committed to ensuring our working practices and job roles are inclusive to meet a wide variety of needs. Therefore, should you require any reasonable adjustments or have access requirements, please make us aware when applying for the position so that we can arrange a suitable interview. Successful candidates will be asked about reasonable adjustments for their employment at Maxwell Hodge when they are formally offered the position, so that we can ensure the role meets their requirements.
Pay: Up to £24,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Bereavement leave
- Company events
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Paid volunteer time
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
