The law is not something we have to actively go looking for – it governs our daily lives. Thus, those interested in the subject can use a variety of tactics to become more familiar with it.

In partnership with Lawyer Monthly, ILSPA partner Simply Law hears from John Watkins, Director of Employability at The University of Law, on the five best ways to get started in law.

Attend court

Courts are publicly accessible, and there is a gallery from which to observe proceedings. This will open your eyes to the culture of a courtroom and perhaps develop an awareness that television dramas don’t quite convey the full picture. 

Here is a selection of vacancies from our Legal Secretary Jobs Board this month:

Wills & Probate Legal Secretary – Green Wright Chalton Annis     

Location: Rustington

Salary: £22,000 - £24,000    

Green Wright Chalton Annis is looking to recruit a Legal Secretary/PA to join their friendly, busy and growing Wills and Probate team at the Rustington office.  Experience of working in a law firm is essential and knowledge/experience of Wills and Probate would be very useful.

View the full job description here:           

https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/196583/

Conveyancing Legal Secretary – Adams Harrison   

In last month’s edition of our journal, we outlined the Solicitor Regulation Authorities’ continuing competency regime. This has been in place for all legal businesses since 2016 and is something that all legal employees are expected to follow. The skill of self-reflection was considered, and a challenge was given for readers to identify the following:

• Personal strengths and weaknesses

• Tasks that could be done better

• Areas where improvements in knowledge, skills or behaviours were needed

Armed with answers to these questions, you will have made your first personal reflective entry. In this article, we will consider what you should do with your reflections to ensure that you are making the best use of your training log.

Professional development is essential for every admin, regardless of experience. But when that training comes with a large price tag, it’s often out of reach.

The solution? Ask your employer to make an investment in you.

This investment can take many forms. It can be reimbursement for a webinar, registration for a professional development conference or even subsidising a course at your local community college.

Asking your employer to take a financial stake in your career can feel a bit uncomfortable. But when you approach them with a solid business case that explains why you’re requesting the training and what your employer and organisation can expect in return for their investment, it’s a lot less intimidating.

Here’s how to improve your chances of getting approval:

Here is a selection of vacancies from our Legal Secretary Jobs Board this month:

Trainee Legal Secretary (Private Equity) – Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP     

Location: London

Salary: Competitive    

An exciting brand-new role has arisen for an ambitious and enthusiastic Trainee Legal Secretary. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is looking for a new Secretary, to provide effective administrative and secretarial support services to fee earners within the London Private Equity team.

View the full job description here:           

https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/193293/

A Legal Assistant is a key cog in the legal industry, providing support to Lawyers and working alongside them by performing important administrative and clerical duties. They are required to have a strong knowledge of legal terms, procedures and documentation. Our partner, Simply Law, recently spoke to Alia Choudhury, a Legal Assistant at Keller Lenkner, and found out more about her role and what she does each day.

Introducing Alia Choudhury

I am a Legal Assistant working at a multi-claimant US legal firm specialising in commercial, employment and consumer class action litigation. Prior to this role, I had studied my LLB at Liverpool John Moores University, from which I graduated this summer with a 2.1.

If you are studying ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma course or a Single Subject Foundation course, you will need to complete practical assessments in respect of your coursework. These assessments are designed to help you develop the practical skills of a Legal Secretary in various legal departments. Students need to successfully complete their practical assessments to gain a qualification. You will see that some of the assessments are straightforward, whilst others may need extra attention. Luckily for our students, our Course Assessor, Maria Richards, is always on hand to offer help and guidance whenever it is needed.

Throughout the past year, the legal job market has come under immense pressure and experienced numerous challenges as a result of the pandemic. Despite this, the legal profession has shown remarkable resilience.

Take a look around your workspace. Is it organised or a disaster area? Can you quickly and easily find things? Are there any items that are just taking up space?

In honour of National Clean Off Your Desk Day, it’s a great time to take a critical look at your workspace. Follow these three steps to make it a more productive area!

1. Create workspace zones. There are three zones you need to think about as you clear the clutter and put systems in place for staying organised. The three zones are:

• Zone 1: Prime Workspace. Zone 1 is the main workspace at your desk – the centre of activity that is within arm’s reach of your computer and phone.

Here is a selection of vacancies from our Legal Secretary Jobs Board this month:

Legal Assistant/Secretary – Moore Barlow     

Location: Guildford

Salary: Competitive    

Are you a reliable and highly organised individual looking to work for a newly merged firm carving out a new way of working within the Legal sector? This is a great role for someone ambitious looking to get really involved in a great Commercial Property team where you will be fully supported.

View the full job description here:           

https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/192979/

Legal Secretary – Eversheds Sutherland (Luxemburg) LLP

Location: Luxemburg