Many fields of work are competitive, attracting far more candidates for every open position than some might believe. Law firms receive large quantities of applications for every role advertised. Narrowing the field by hand could be an almost insurmountable task. Reading every application takes time and can result in missing some of the best candidates.

Hence why law firms often test their candidates. This is a far faster method in finding candidates who can do the job required of them. But no fear, there are just as many benefits to a candidate as there are to the employer.

Which tests might you need to complete?

There are two broad types of tests that could be used when recruiting for a legal role:

An efficient, effective PA is the beating heart of any successful team and the key to the success of a senior executive.

Due to developments in technology, working practices and working environments, the PA role has changed dramatically over the years.

During my 15+ years’ experience of recruiting PAs, I’ve seen the role constantly evolve – allocations have increased, agile working has come into play for many firms and today's PAs need to keep up with these changes to continue to add value. It’s no longer enough to be a super minute taker or a speedy typist; firms within Professional Services are looking for much more.

What employers want from their PAs

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

Legal Secretary – Family Law – Stuart Gordon Solicitors     

Location: Leeds

Salary: £20,000 - £24,000

This is an opportunity to help a lot of people, and progress in your career too. From audio typing and clerical work to preparing documents and correspondence, you’ll support several of Stuart Gordon’s experienced Family and Children lawyers on a wide range of issues. You’ll support their clients too, either over the phone or in person. Put simply, you’ll be a vital part of the team.

View the full job description here:

Thousands of people are working as Paralegals without realising it. How do you find out if you are one of them – and what you should do?

Many people are working within a company performing certain tasks day in, day out, not realizing that what they are doing may class them as a “Paralegal”.

Why should this matter? Why should you be “pigeon-holed”?

In this current climate, giving yourself a lift up the ladder can help your career and certainly your status within an organization.

After the success of last year, we are happy to announce a newly formed partnership between The Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs and Legalex 2020.

On the 18th and 19th of March 2020, the London ExCeL will host the most forward-thinking Legalex to date, housing 150 cutting-edge suppliers and 100+ educational, CPD accredited seminars from some of the world’s top legal experts and innovative thinkers – leading the industry as the most accomplished event for ambitious and successful legal firms looking to modernise their practices.

Legal Secretaries and PAs will get the opportunity to network and meet with representatives from firms, learn about new tools and innovations in their area, and update their knowledge in specialist areas of their role.

When Charlotte Moon enrolled for ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma course in 2011, she knew that she wanted a career in law but probably never imagined that one day she would be opening up her own department in a law firm. Charlotte in now a Senior Caseworker specialising in Family Law and has just completed her Level 6 Law and Practice Diploma. If you are wondering what progression is available for a Legal Secretary, then Charlotte’s story is a real eye-opener.

How did you find your studies with ILSPA?

There are a number of skills which you will need whilst using Microsoft Office Excel. Spread sheets are a useful tool and used regularly by office staff including Legal Secretaries. Spread sheets are especially helpful in tracking the progress of different processes and make the information readily available in one place, rather than having to check databases or paper files separately. This article provides step-by-step instructions for some of the most commonly used tools so that you can master these skills.

Please note that the majority of law firms currently use Microsoft Office 2010. We have therefore based our advice on this version of the program. You may find that your version differs slightly, however the directions should be similar.

Formating cells

On the Legal Secretaries Diploma course, one of the first topics that is studied is judicial review. This is a process that allows the courts to review the legality of actions taken by public authorities. Although nearly 2,500 judicial review cases reach the court every year, there are only a handful which really highlight how the process protects the rights of the individual against the state. This month we are considering one of these rare examples with the case brought by Ed Bridges, who has taken the South Wales police to court for their use of facial recognition technology.

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

Senior Secretary - Coodes

Location: Liskeard

Salary: £16,250 - £18,000

Coodes LLP is one of the leading law firms in Cornwall and Devon and the longest established firm in the region.

Experience of legal secretarial work is highly desirable ideally in a Family and or criminal law setting but training will be provided for the right candidate who can demonstrate the requisite skills.

Candidates must have excellent skills in client relations, record keeping and IT (Microsoft Office), be capable of prioritising work and using initiative to achieve objectives, transcribing digital dictation accurately and quickly.

The role of legal secretaries has changed over the years, and with technological advances and increasing pressures on legal firms to cut costs, the role of the legal secretary is becoming more important than ever. Legal secretaries now have a much broader skillset, and are often key to streamlining processes and saving costs, making them an integral asset to any legal firm. 

In this blog, Faith Kelly, legal recruitment specialist at Sellick Partnership, explores what makes legal secretaries so important, and why they are still a much needed support network for successful lawyers. 

Much more than just a secretary