Legal Administrator

BDB Pitmans

  • Cambridge
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 15 days ago
We are BDB Pitmans, recognised for our market-leading expertise in infrastructure. We also specialise in real estate, energy, technology, transport as well as corporate and commercial matters, private wealth, employment, and public and charity law.With offices in London, Cambridge, Reading and Southampton, we have a team of over 420 experts dedicated to making a clear and positive difference, with the legal precision we are known for.At BDB Pitmans, we care about helping shape what’s important to people and society. Working constructively with our colleagues and clients and by explaining things clearly in a friendly and approachable way.ED&IAt BDB Pitmans, our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion sits at the heart of who we are as a firm as we are passionate about ensuring we create a work environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and fully supported to be themselves. Our ED&I work, though, goes beyond how we work with our colleagues. Our firm values – we act with respect, we work in partnership, and we find solutions – are deeply embedded in ED&I principles, and heavily inform how we approach client relationships, as well as external partnerships.
The teamThe Private Real Estate Group provides high quality advice and service to private clients, trusts and family offices in connection with their real estate affairs. It works closely where appropriate with other specialists in the Firm, including in particular Private Client and Commercial Real Estate lawyers to achieve that aim. The Group currently comprises 5 partners, 24 fee earners and 6 support staff across the Firm’s 4 offices.
The opportunityThe role will work alongside the partners and fee earners in the team to provide them with general administrative and legal supportThe main tasks of this role would include:
  • General administrative tasks such as paper filing, electronic filing (profiling), scanning and archiving, amending documents.
  • File management (file opening, closing, matter balance clearance, scheduling).
  • Obtaining and collating AML documentation, liaising with fee earners and the Risk & Compliance Department regarding AML requirements.
  • Answering the phones and dealing with client queries, including taking messages wherever appropriate.
  • Scanning and profiling post.
  • Collating contract packages on sale properties, including requesting title information, management information packs.
  • Requesting searches on purchase properties.
  • Liaising with lenders over the telephone and in writing in relation to queries and requesting redemption figures and mortgage advances etc.
  • Preparing files for completion.
  • Dealing with post completion requirements, including submitting stamp duty returns, submitting Land Registry Forms and dealing with Land Registry queries.
  • Scheduling registrations to clients and lender and file closures, including dealing with archiving and cash balances.
  • Maintaining client databases, entering new client and contact information, we use Interaction and Elite.
  • Providing general support to the wider team.
  • Diary management and maintaining client databases.
  • Support billing processes for fee-earning team to include drafting bill narratives and covering letters.
  • Make appointments and arrange meetings on behalf of designated fee-earners ensuring rooms are booked and refreshment/catering arrangements made.
  • Attend to any travel arrangements.
Who we are looking forQualifications
  • A Level or Equivalent or above is preferred
Knowledge/Experience
  • Strong administrative experience of working in a law firm
  • Land Registry registration experience preferable
  • Customer Service experience essential
  • Or a graduate with some legal knowledge and ideally experience of the residential property world
Skills
  • An organised approach to working
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Ability to prioritise
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Job Specification
  • 9.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday – 35 hours per week.
  • Reasonable additional hours may be required from time to time

BDB Pitmans