Main information
The Firm
Farrer & Co is synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and service.
We advise individuals, families, businesses, financial services, educational and not-for-profit organisations on every aspect of the law, wherever the need arises. From our offices in London we work with trusted professionals around the world to deliver a seamless international service.
Our clients present us with complex and varied challenges. Whether that's a complicated family trust issue, a multinational corporate transaction, or an emerging threat to their reputation, they need clear thinkers who can advise on the best solutions, fast thinkers when speed is of the essence and agile thinkers who can produce a fresh approach to get the job done. That's why they choose us.
Our clients value our in-depth knowledge, technical excellence and diversity of disciplines. But what really binds our long-standing relationships with them is our approach: pragmatic, plain speaking and always steadfast in our values, which we hold dear. Values which mean we gain our clients' trust, always strive to do the right thing, and aim for the best results for them.
Superb client service sits at the heart of everything we do. We are modern lawyers with timeless values.
The Team
Rural:
Farrer & Co’s Rural Property team has an unrivalled reputation and is ranked in the top tier in both Chambers and The Legal 500, as well as being ranked in the top tier for landed estates work in Chambers High Net Worth. We provide comprehensive legal services tailored to the modern rural landowner and acts for some of the country's major landed estates. The team's clients include historic landed estates, institutional landowners, charities and conservation organisations.
We assist with everything from agricultural tenancy agreements and sporting rights to major estate purchases, and from succession planning to development projects and diversification, including cutting-edge work in the emergent natural capital market. The team often works closely with agents, surveyors and other sector specialists.
We have the largest dedicated rural property team in the UK, comprising seven partners and more than 10 associates and trainees, who work closely with colleagues and specialists across the firm to provide a seamless and comprehensive service. The team is renowned for delivering high-quality outcomes within tight deadlines.
Commercial Real estate:
Farrer & Co's Commercial Real Estate team is a thriving practice, working with a wide range of private and institutional investors, developers, funders, borrowers and occupiers. Our client list includes high-profile domestic and international names.
The team is experienced, collaborative, technically precise and commercially astute. Made up of around 30 partners, associates and trainees, we work closely with colleagues across the firm's many complementary practice areas. Our work centres on understanding our clients' businesses, exercising sound commercial judgment and drawing on our knowledge and experience to provide a top-quality service that enables our clients to achieve their strategic and business goals.
Responsibilities
Organisational Support
- Effective and proactive diary management, and awareness of Fee Earners' workloads to plan ahead, with minimal supervision
- Processes relevant applications, forms or searches, with minimal supervision
- Has a good knowledge of all systems/processes used within the Department
Client Relationship and Business Development
- Provides excellent service to clients, both internal and external, in a timely and professional manner, presenting a positive image of the Firm at all times
- Acts as a first point of contact for Fee Earners
- Provides assistance in the delivery of marketing communications, and records all business development meetings in the CRM system
- Recognises, respects and honours client confidentiality at all times
Document Production
- Creates typed work of a high quality, formatting in accordance with house style, at high speed, with accuracy and following internal guidelines
- Makes effective use of the Document Management System
- Creates new documents from the Firm’s templates, using contact data from the CRM system where appropriate
- Proof-reads all documents for spelling, grammar and sense, querying wording where appropriate
IT Skills/Systems
- Maintains a high level of proficiency in core IT applications including the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
File Management
- Adopts a pro-active approach and works with Fee Earners effectively, to maintain regular file management, to ensure all files are up to date, closed and archived, as appropriate
- Keeps accurate records of all files sent to off-site storage via Records
Financial Risk Management
- Prepares bills, as required by Fee Earners
- Prepares AML documentation and obtains relevant documentation from clients in a timely manner, as required by Fee Earners
- Carries out conflict searches and correctly identifies the work type
Skills and Experience
- Previous secretarial experience in a law firm essential. Experience in Commercial Real Estate is essential. Experience in Rural Property would be helpful
Person Specification
- Aligns with the firm's values, vision and strategy
- Arrives ready and prepared for the working day and demonstrates excellent timekeeping (whether related to meetings, arrival at the office or going to and from lunch)
- Has a positive outlook, friendly approach and is respectful to others (e.g. communicates in a positive and constructive manner and interacts in good faith)
- Demonstrates effective listening and questioning to ensure clarity of a situation, issue or request
- Works as a team player, offering help when with spare capacity and is willing to assist other fee earners in the practice area or department during busy periods
- Demonstrates an interest in and commitment to the practice area, departmental and firm aims and objectives
- Has a caring approach to self and colleagues
- Ensures Learn.Know.Grow mandatory and elective training is complete for own level
- Respects diversity and acts fairly and inclusively
- Reflects on and learns from mistakes and other people
- Has excellent timekeeping and prioritises work effectively
- Is flexible, reliable, co-operative and has a professional approach to work
- Works as a positive, friendly and helpful team player
- Communicates in a positive and constructive manner
- Recognises, respects and honours client confidentiality at all times
Education and Qualifications
- Qualified to GCSE standard, grade C/ level 4 (or equivalent) at Mathematics and English essential
Special aspects
- Standard office hours are 09.30 to 17.30 Monday to Friday, but it is essential that the applicant is committed, flexible and prepared to work beyond the normal office hours when necessary and in response to demand
- Farrer & Co operates an agile working framework under which members of the firm are expected to spend at least 40% of their working hours in the office. This is a minimum expectation: individuals may elect or be asked or expected to work more frequently in the office, depending on circumstance
- Farrer & Co is an equal opportunity employer which welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We look to employ the best candidates regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other protected characteristic
- We are keen to ensure candidates have the best interview experience possible. If you require any adjustments during the interview or application process please let the recruitment team know
Comments
Farrer & Co conducts a pre-employment screening which includes a Criminal History Background and Credit Check for successful candidates.
