Legal Secretary - Charities (9 Month FTC)

Wedlake Bell is seeking a Legal Secretary to join us, covering a remit spanning our Charities team and Employment team. This is a full-time, 9 month fixed-term contact (maternity cover) position, with the expectation of 3 days in-office per week.

This role will be primarily centred with our Charities team, though will include an allocation with several members of our Employment team.

Our specialist Charities practice advise a range of clients from large charities, social enterprises and NGOs to philanthropic organisations such as family or corporate foundations. They advise on a complex range of issues, from organisational structuring and governance through to regulatory compliance (both domestic and international).

As a Legal Secretary in our Charities team, your role will be instrumental in ensuring the team have the support they need to run smoothly. You will support our fee earners with a range of tasks from preparing legal documents, file management and maintenance, diary management, client liaisons, and other ad-hoc responsibilities which contribute to the success of the team.

This role is perfect for a Legal Secretary who thrives in fast-paced and dynamic team, and prides themselves on the service they provide. We are seeking someone with established Legal Secretary (ideally at least four years) experience in a fast-paced law firm environment.

Find out more about the Charities team here.

About Us:

Located in the heart of the City of London, Wedlake Bell is a Top 100 law firm offering full services across Private Client, Real Estate, Business Services, and Disputes. The firm has 81 Partners and a total headcount of around 400. We have grown year-on-year, attributed to the continual success of our legal teams, and the dedication of our staff members.

Our culture is widely recognised as one of the best in City law, built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. Joining us, you will be part of a firm which supports work/life balance, personal development, and building strong connections. With regular cross-firm socials and events (including our renowned yearly ski trip!), you will quickly feel like part of the WB team!

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting the preparation and management of legal documents, BD and promotional materials, presentations, and correspondence related to Charities and Employment matters, from dictation, drafts, or typed documents;

• Efficient diary management for fee earners, including arranging meetings and appointments, in-person or video calls (via MS Teams);

• Responding quickly to complete new tasks set by the team (via BigHand);

• Organising travel arrangements for business trips, in the UK and abroad;

• Communicating with clients and other stakeholders, offering administrative and case-related support;

• Opening, maintaining and organising team files (via iManage) to ensure information is easily accessible;

• Liaise with the firm's AML team to open new matters following established procedures, liaising with the client to obtain and collate required documents;

• Supporting the team's BD initiatives where possible, including updating the CRM with client information and activity (via InterAction);

• Coordinate the billing process for fee-earners by opening matters (via 3E Elite), liaising with the Accounts & Finance team throughout the process for instructions, changes, and to finalise invoices;

• Handling confidential information with discretion; and

• Other ad-hoc duties as required.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a Legal Secretary (at least four years) in a fast-paced law firm, ideally (though not essential to be considered) within a commercial sector (employment, disputes etc) or private client environment (tax, trusts, estates, working with HNW individuals);

• Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively under tight deadlines;

• Fast and accurate typing skills, with high standards of written English and grammar;

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with an emphasis on client service;

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with legal document management systems or other key software's (iManage, 3E Elite, InterAction, BigHand, etc);

• A keen attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in all aspects of work;

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment; and

• Discretion in handling confidential information.

Why Join Us?

• A competitive starting salary;

• A comprehensive pension plan;

• 25 days paid holiday per annum, plus additional leave for significant life events;

• Option to purchase up to five additional days of holiday each year;

• Life Assurance and competitive income protection scheme;

• Access to Private Medical and Dental Insurance from day one;

• Enhanced parental leave policies;

• Employee Assistance Programme with face-to-face counselling services;

• Variety of staff wellbeing initiatives including Pilates classes and subsidised gym memberships; and

• A range of bonus schemes recognising referrals and client introductions.

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, where every individual is respected and valued. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, irrespective of their background or personal circumstances.

If you are passionate about joining a busy team and are eager for a challenging yet fulfilling career, we encourage you to apply.