2019

The law of contract has slowly been developing in line with changes in the way people enter into contracts and use technology to communicate. One recent example of these changes is how the law treats a contract made by email. Some have argued that an exchange of informal emails would not be enough to create a formal legal relationship, but they are sadly mistaken based on recent case law developments.

The legal sector is highly competitive so securing an interview requires a strong CV and a cover letter that grabs the employer’s attention. This article by Simply Law Jobs set out how to write an impressive and interesting cover letter to help you stand out from the crowd.

What should a cover letter do?

The aim of a legal cover letter is to firstly show off your legal knowledge and secondly demonstrate that you have conducted thorough research into the company you are applying to. You should always write a new cover letter for each role that you apply for.

December is here and Christmas and the new year are just around the corner. Hopefully, you are all looking forward to a well-earned rest over the holiday period, but there are still a few weeks left to work through before we can put our feet up. The end of the year can be a busy and rather hectic time for law firms. It can be hard to think about the little things that may need doing. Here are a few tips to really help you round up the year and set yourself up for 2020 while you’re at it.

Take a look at your CPD

One of ILSPA’s aims is to provide affordable training to Students and Members. We are delighted to work in partnership with Prodigy Learning to provide you with a fantastic 50% discount on Microsoft Office courses.

Microsoft Office provides courses in Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. If you would like to improve your word processing skills, learn more about working with spreadsheets, become familiar with using Outlook for emails or know how to conduct a PowerPoint presentation, then you can now do so at half the cost.

Membership Level

ILSPA offers four levels of Membership dependent on your qualifications and experience. If you have recently qualified with ILSPA or you have been working as a Legal Secretary for a few years since you first applied for Membership, you can upgrade your Membership level.

Those who have passed the Legal Secretaries Diploma course are eligible for Affiliate Membership, which shows employers that you are a qualified Legal Secretary. Keep this in mind when renewing your Membership with us. Once renewed, you will receive an attractive Affiliate Membership certificate, which you can show to employers or put in a frame on the wall.

We don’t always get to choose who our boss/executive is, much less their leadership style, in fact, when you interviewed for the role, they might not have even be involved. So, you walk in on your first day with no clue what to expect, its potluck if both your styles of working are going to gel. Maybe that is not the most efficient way to recruit a PA or EA but is it often the case. You may find yourself working with someone who has a leadership style you haven’t dealt with before or don’t particularly want to deal with! Help is at hand because once you accept that you can’t change them, you can only change how you work with them, it becomes easier. 

When you feel it’s coming to the end of your time at a company, a resignation letter may be the resource you need to finalise your contract. It can be a nerve-wracking process. After all, you don’t want to offend anybody, and you have to get some important information across.

It’s not a legal obligation to write a resignation letter, however it is a polite, informative and decisive way to let your manager know that you have decided to move on. With that in mind, it’s important to get the written content right. So, how can you?

Target it

As mentioned, it’s likely it’s your manager you are going to write it to. No matter what your relationship is like with them, the letter still needs to be professionally addressed in a clear and concise manner. The last thing you want is it landing on the wrong desk.

So far in our series looking at different learning methods, we have looked at both visual and audible learners. This month we will be taking a closer look and discussing the best study methods for kinetic learners.

As the word ‘kinetic’ suggests, this type of learner processes information by movement. They find it easier to learn and remember things when they are physically engaged and actively participating in what they are learning. You may think a legal qualification like a Legal Secretaries Diploma, which is traditionally considered a ‘book-based’ subject, would be difficult for people who need to be more active and practical in their learning style. However, you will see that there are some great ways to adapt your study practices to make yourself more active even when you’re studying from written course materials.

It will come as no surprise to those reading this article that Legal Secretaries need to be good with technology. A Legal Secretary’s role is primarily computer-based. It is automatically expected that they will have skills such as fast and accurate typing, a good understanding of commonly used computer programs and knowledge of how to use standard office equipment. Technology is a big part of their day-to-day role, and the right technology can make the position a whole lot easier. But what is the top tech, or more particularly the top programs that a Legal Secretary should know? We spoke to working Legal Secretaries to see what their favourite programs and apps are, and to gain some insight into the main technology they rely on each day.

Microsoft Office

On occasion, a solicitor’s firm may find itself in dispute with its own client. This can happen, say, in a case where there is a disagreement over the legal bill or when a client wishes to change advisors. In these types of situations, a firm may find a client demanding that “their” file be released but the firm is reluctant to do so immediately (particularly where a legal bill is in dispute). In cases such as these it may be necessary to consider who owns the file, what the contract between the parties says, and what personal data a client may be entitled to.

Ownership – When a solicitor acts in a case, the documents which are created fall into two categories:  

a) Those where the solicitor is acting as a professional advisor; and

b) Those where the solicitor is acting as an agent.

TotallyLegal - the UK’s leading job board for legal professionals - has launched its annual salary survey and wants to hear the details of your daily working lives.

The results of the survey will detail the average salaries of Legal PAs and Secretaries across the UK, revealing whether you are adequately rewarded for your efforts or could be earning more elsewhere.

Last year, Legal PAs in our audience reported average salaries of £32,619, while Legal Secretaries took home £34,615.

More broadly, the results of last year’s survey - compiled into a comprehensive Audience Insight Report - revealed that, despite being a high profile issue, the gender pay gap continued to widen within the legal profession.

The Law Society’s Conveyancing Protocol (usually just referred to as the “protocol”) first came into effect on 1 April 2011. It was replaced on 19 August 2019 with an amended version.

The original protocol was created by the Law Society to improve how conveyancing transactions were dealt with. The protocol provided a framework for firms to follow and a detailed list of ‘dos and don’ts’. Although the protocol has been described by some as ‘conveyancing by numbers’ it has brought a uniform structure to conveyancing transactions. Essentially the protocol made most firms ‘sing from the same hymn sheet’. The procedures the protocol set out are intended to ensure that clients are treated fairly and are protected, and that the entire process is dealt with more efficiently.

The protocol splits transactions into six stages:

We are often asked whether you can study ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma course with no Legal Secretary experience. The answer we always give is that the course is suitable for all levels of experience from beginners to experienced professionals. Tracey Jenkins, an ILSPA Student, decided to enrol on the course when she left her position in administration. Tracey had an interest in law but had no experience in a law firm. She passed the course with a distinction, achieving an incredible grade of 99%. We spoke to Tracey to find out about her background and how she found her studies.

Have you always been interested in law, and do you come from a legal background?

Last month we looked at the best ways for visual learners to study and process information. We learnt that people who are visual learners often respond to things such as colours, pictures, diagrams and other visual information. This month we are going to be taking a closer look at the second type of learner, the audible learner.

Legal Assistants are essential and valuable people in the legal industry. They provide support to Lawyers and work alongside them by performing important administrative and clerical duties. They are required to have a strong knowledge of legal terms, procedures and documentation.

Legal Assistants may work with a single Lawyer, a specific practice or a group of Lawyers depending on the firm, or the size of an individual case.

Legal Assistant Duties

The preparation of legal documents which can include;

Do you know when the best time of year to job hunt is? With summer holidays having drawn to a close and schools back in session, the momentum in business begins to build back up as executives ready themselves for the final push before the years’ end. If you’re searching for the next step in your career, there’s a good chance you’re wondering when the best time of year to job hunt is. Perhaps you’ve been told to hold fire by colleagues concerned that employers are solely focused on tying up loose ends – in fact, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

We recently had an excellent opportunity to sit down and speak with Gemma Williams, Paralegal at the largest news publisher in the UK, Reach PLC. In this interview, Gemma shares some invaluable insights into her Paralegal career so far, as well as some expert advice for aspiring Paralegals.

Tell me about the education route you took to become a Paralegal and your legal work experience prior to working for Reach PLC.

There has been a real shift over the past couple of years when it comes to preparing for an interview. Relying on your skillset and experience to speak for themselves just isn’t enough for Hiring Managers anymore, particularly when it comes to senior-level PA and EA interviews.

Not only is the market at this level incredibly competitive, but the senior stakeholders these roles support have very high expectations. Therefore, you will need to be extremely prepared for your interview and able to articulate and highlight what sets you apart from the other candidates that will be going through the same interview process.

To find out what gives certain candidates ‘the edge’ in an interview, I recently spoke to some of the top PA and Secretarial Services Managers in my network who are responsible for hiring senior-level PAs and EAs.

The term ‘business support’ can be quite a broad term but in general terms, jobs that fall under the category ‘business support’ are roles that provide administrative support to a business. Typical roles include; PA, Secretary, EA, Team Leader and Secretarial Manager.

A career in Business Support requires a large variety of transferrable skills that, if used wisely, can open your door to pretty much anything. Here is a breakdown of some of the typical roles we recruit for in Business Support and how these job roles can help you progress your career.

Admin / Office Support / Office Administrator

The law in England and Wales dealing with wills dates back to Victorian times. The current rules are based on the Wills Act 1837, while the tests to see if someone has the capacity to make a will were set out in a case from 1870.

The Law Commission has been consulting on several proposals to reform the law on wills. It is expected to report soon on proposals to modernise the law, which include:

• Changes to the test for capacity to make a will, which take into account modern medicine’s understanding of conditions like dementia;
• Statutory guidance for doctors when assessing if someone has the capacity to make a will; and
• New rules protecting someone making a will from undue influence. 

People learn in different ways. So, if people learn in different ways, then it is only logical that they should study in different ways. When you are studying, you may prefer to read out loud, rewrite text or even act something out to commit it to memory. You may like lists, colours or Post-its around the house. Your preferred study method gives a good indication of what sort of learner you are. Once you know this, you can establish which practices will help you and which are not really going to work. You can read more about the different types of learners here. In this article, we will be focusing on visual learners – people who need to see new information in order to truly learn it.

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

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?

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.

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

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:

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.

Looking to take your career to the next level? Success is just around the corner: all it takes is dedication, determination and a desire to move forward in your professional journey. Of course, opportunities won’t fall from the sky: if you want to be considered for a promotion, the future is in your hands – it’s time to prove you’ve got what it takes to thrive in the next tier.

No matter the industry you work in, or the size of the organisation, your progression through the ranks will depend upon your ability to build on your skillset and handle increasing responsibilities. If you’re up to the challenge, your path to success should look something like this:

Stage 1: Developing talent

A common question that you should always be prepared to answer at a job interview is: “What can you bring to this role?” Interviewers like this question because it gives them an insight into what you know about the role, what skills you feel are important in the role and also what skills you have that make you a good fit for it.

“What can you bring to this role?” is actually a really positive question to be asked as an interviewee. It sets you up perfectly to boast your relevant skills, experience and how they will help you in the job you are interviewing for. It’s also a good opportunity to explain what you have to offer, that other applicants can’t. Despite this it can be a question that some candidates dread and are unsure about answering.

When Gillian Roberts enrolled for ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma Course in 2018, it wasn’t her first foray into a legal education. She had previously completed an LLB law degree but had not continued into the sector after graduation. It is very common for law graduates to study our Legal Secretaries Diploma as an alternative route into their chosen industry. We wanted to speak to Gillian about her decision to return to the legal profession, why she felt the Legal Secretaries Diploma Course was a good step to aid her return and what the future holds for her. She also provided us with some fantastic advice for recent graduates looking to start their job search.    

What is your background and how did you become interested in working as a Legal Secretary?

We last reported on the topic of no-fault divorce in October of last year following the sad case of Tini Owens. The case highlighted a longstanding problem with divorce law which forces parties to find blame if they want to guarantee that the court can give permission for a divorce. Mrs Owens found herself in the ludicrous situation of trying to leave a loveless marriage described as “wretched” by one judge, however it was not found to be  wretched enough to satisfy the irretrievable breakdown requirement of current divorce legislation.  

Course providers will often use different methods to assess a student’s understanding of the course they are studying. Some courses may have exams, whereas others will use coursework. Practical Assessments are a type of coursework, and this article aims to answer some of the most common questions about them.

ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma is a vocational qualification, and as such it aims to teach the skills and knowledge required to allow graduates to enter employment upon completion of the course. The coursework is therefore made up of achievement tests to assess your knowledge and Practical Assessments to assess your application of this knowledge to a specific set of documents.

What are Practical Assessments?

When Leah Taylor decided to finally pursue her goal of becoming a Legal Secretary, the first thing she did was enrol on ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma course. Upon completion of her qualification, Leah secured a fantastic role at Clifford Chance. We caught up with her to find out all about her new position; how she secured the job and how she is using the knowledge and skills gained through the Diploma in her work.  

What did you do prior to studying to become a Legal Secretary? 

I worked for a business travel management company. My main role was to provide administrative assistance, but I also carried out a few other duties including covering reception and PA assistance for the Managing Director. 

A career as a virtual assistant is one that requires an entrepreneurial spirit, patience and expertise in a specific field. If you are thinking about becoming a legal virtual assistant, you must be prepared to handle a wide range of tasks from a remote location. With the right client, the work of a virtual assistant can be fulfilling, while providing great flexibility during the workday. 

What Is a Legal Virtual Assistant? 

One of the areas studied within ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma course is the law of negligence. This month we will be considering how the law in this area has developed and highlight some recent changes to the law on when a duty of care is owed.  

 The 1930s approach – “Love thy neighbour”  

Ever since the case of Donoghue v Stevenson in 1932 created the law of negligence, the test to prove that a defendant has been negligent has been a simple 3-part formula:-  

1) The claimant must be owed a duty;  

2) That duty must be breached; and  

3) The breach must cause the damage.  

This test is sometimes referred to as the “neighbour principle” and its creator, Lord Atkin, broadly based the principle on the biblical concept of treating your neighbour as you would like to be treated.  

In the past few years, social media has grown to be a huge part of our everyday lives. The majority of people will use at least one of the most popular platforms. However, it is not just individuals who are active on them – companies are too. Social media has moved beyond purely entertainment. It is now a vital tool for job seekers, students, employers and professionals. We wanted to take a moment to explain the uses and benefits of each of the main social media platforms that you can follow ILSPA on. 

Facebook   

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  

A self-sufficient boss or fee earner can be a blessing in disguise. They give minimal dictations, can manage their own diary efficiently and are usually quick to respond to emails.

But how can you assist such a boss if they just get on with it?

Whether you are a legal secretary, executive assistant or PA, it is highly likely that your role extends further than just dictations and diary management.

But still, how can you add value to your employer if it seems like, for most things, they don’t really need your help?

Become the ‘go to’ person for clients

If your fee earner is quick to reply directly to a client by email then use some of your time to get to know the client’s PA. If you know everything about your fee earner then assume it is vice versa with your client and their PA!

There are a number of skills which you will require regularly whilst using Microsoft Office Word, especially if you are studying our Legal Secretaries Diploma course or working as a Legal Secretary. This article provides step-by-step instructions for some of the most regularly used tools so that you can master these commonly used 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 across most other versions.

Setting page margins

Last autumn we considered the impact of a 2018 ruling by the Supreme Court about the state of relationships in Britain. Specifically we reviewed how the law on civil partnerships was to be changed to allow couples of the opposite sex who did not wish to get married to have some legal recognition. In the case, the Supreme Court made a declaration that the current law was not compatible with Human Rights legislation. As a result, the government confirmed that it would change the law to allow any couple to register as civil partners. Unfortunately the rules contained in the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (CPA 2004) have not yet been changed.

Coming from a completely non-legal background, Hollie Nixon was unsure of the best way to start her career as a Legal Secretary. Upon hearing about ILSPA through a fellow student on her Open University degree, she decided to take the plunge and enrol for our Diploma. Now, less than a year later, Hollie has secured her first Legal Secretary position. We caught up with her to find out why she believes her Diploma was so important during her job search, and what advice she would give to other people looking to start working in the profession.

How did you hear about ILSPA?

When looking for work as a Legal Secretary, one of the first things that we advise our Members to do is to ensure their CVs are tailored for Legal Secretary positions. We receive many CVs from people who want help in securing employment and we often notice that people are not including the information that recruiters need to see.

Your CV is your first impression on a potential employer so it is essential that you get it right. Recruiters sometimes receive a great deal of applications for an advertised vacancy, so your CV needs to stand out and highlight your Legal Secretary skills.

Craig Harris is a multi-award winning Executive Assistant, who currently works for Shelter UK. Some of his recent awards include our trusted partner SecsintheCity’s Social Media PA of the Year 2018 and Pitman’s Super Achiever PA of the Year 2017. Having forged an impressive and successful career as an Assistant, Craig is now working to promote inclusion and diversity within the profession.

In January 2018 he co-founded the LGBT Admin and Assistant Network, and dedicates much of his time to speaking publicly about his aim to be a role model for all Assistants, especially aspiring male Assistants considering making the leap to the profession.

As part of your job search and to ensure you secure interviews, you should get into the habit of submitting a covering letter alongside your CV, even if is not a requirement. A covering letter is a great opportunity to showcase your relevant skills and attributes in more detail. Today we will share with you our step by step guide on a successful covering letter.

In this age of text-speak and abbreviations, it is quite common for emails to drift into an informal format. When messaging your friends or family, this is completely acceptable; however, it can easily lead to a lazy style of emailing when contacting organisations. This can infer that you don’t care, or be taken as rudeness, and you certainly do not want those connotations within your professional life. This article highlights the key things to remember when writing a professional email. If you follow these rules, you are less likely to make an error in an emailed job application, when contacting organisations, or when sending an email for work. Following the simple rules below will ensure that your emails always represent you in the most professional way.

Format

No matter how proactive, organised or positive you are, anyone can have a bad day. Whether it’s a change in schedule for an important piece of work, a busy period in the year or even office politics, sometimes your workday can seem insurmountable.

When you have those days, it is easy to feel completely overwhelmed, but there are some steps you can take to make things more manageable. This article provides some solutions to help you get your day back on track.

Take a step back

It may seem like such a simple thing, but by taking the time to gather yourself and take a deep breath, you will allow yourself to find clarity in a situation. By gathering your thoughts and looking at everything objectively, rather than being caught up in the eye of the storm, you will be able to move on to the next step.

When embarking on a career as a Legal Secretary or advancing your expertise within your role as a Legal Secretary, it will be necessary for you to study a course which provides you with the knowledge and skills needed for the job.

Personal relations and the connections that you make can define your career: they can help you secure roles in particular firms; effect who you end up working alongside; they can even help you win or lose your firm clients. Whether you enjoy it or not, law demands that you network.

Networking is really a skill in itself, and it is one that those wishing to enter the legal profession at any level would do well to master. It is normal to be worried about what to talk about in front of other professionals at first, but it’s easy to become a networking pro with a little bit of preparation and practice. Simply Law Jobs have set out this simple guide to help you ease into networking and fine tune these essential skills. 

1. What’s it all about?

As new developments in artificial intelligence and automation continue to influence modern life, one thing is for certain: no industry will be immune to change – not even the legal profession, a sector historically known for its reluctance to move in line with the times.

Today, a technological revolution has come knocking on the door of this prestigious profession, promising cost-efficiency, enhanced productivity and client satisfaction. Lawyers know they must respond, but they aren’t wrong in recognising that the integration of cognitive computing will change the face of the sector forever.

Where professionals in the legal sector could once lean entirely on their knowledge and experience of the law, today’s law graduates must prepare themselves for a brave new world.

Tech-savvy

If you want to work in the legal sector but aren’t sure exactly what kind of firm you want to work for, a law fair is a great opportunity to hone your interests. You’ll be able to meet firm representatives face-to-face and ask them any burning questions you have about life at their firm.

What is a law fair?

If you’ve ever been to a careers fair—a conference-style event with different employers representing a range of companies—a law fair isn’t far off that experience. The difference being, of course, that every company there will be law-related. Law firms, barristers’ chambers and other companies with a legal focus or department will be on hand to talk about their organisation, provide you with brochures and guides, and answer all of your questions.

So you’ve perfected your CV, you’ve trawled through the job boards and found the best positions, you’ve sent in your applications after painstakingly rewriting your covering letter multiple times...the list goes on. Lo and behold, you’ve secured an interview. Congratulations! That is fantastic news.

As the interview date approaches, however, your initial excitement may start to give way to some of those pesky interview nerves. This is entirely normal, but why does it happen? Are you overthinking it, perhaps? Maybe you’re desperate to impress your future boss, or you want to prove yourself to your family? Whatever is playing on your mind, you won’t be the only one to have felt like this before an interview.

Jemina Blake studied ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma back in 2012. After graduating she worked for one of the leading law firms in the South East and continued to study. She completed a Level 4 Diploma in Paralegal Studies with NALP and a Level 5 Diploma in Business Management. Now Jemina has used her impressive experience and qualifications to start her own business, My Legal Transcription. ILSPA spoke with Jemina about what initially interested her about the law, why she chose to become a Legal Secretary and how she turned that into a business of her own.

How did you become interested in working within the legal profession?

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) was established in 2007 as an independent body responsible for regulating the 180,000 Solicitors in England and Wales. The SRA’s purpose is to protect the public by ensuring that Solicitors and those working for them meet very high standards. The key way that the SRA does this is by publishing and enforcing Principles for the profession and a Code of Conduct contained in the SRA Handbook. This month we will be considering the biggest change to the Handbook since it was introduced in 2011.

Asking for help at work can sometimes seem daunting. You may question whether you should already have the answer, or worry that you may appear incapable. This article aims to help you embrace the concept of asking for help, explain how to go about it properly, and also show that it is a benefit rather than a hindrance to the success of your career.

Why should I ask for help?

Changing your chosen career is often a daunting thing to consider, especially if you have already dedicated a number of years to your current career path. If you have thought about joining the legal profession but worried that it was too late in the day to make the change then here is some positive news for you. With people generally working well into their 60’s a person’s working life is now a long one, and career switches are often happening at later stages.

You probably chose to pursue the job you’re in now years ago. The passion could well have faded, and you don’t enjoy it as much as you once did. If you are having doubts, maybe it’s time for a career change.

Not sure where to begin? Here are some tips on how to get your career transition journey started:

Consider every factor

Does that glass ceiling look familiar? For many within a support role whether you are a Personal Assistant in banking or the right hand man/woman to a celebrity, career progression within the support industry can be a difficult path to tread. However, it is not impossible.

Being an Assistant can be the greatest role in the world, preparing you for bigger things should you wish to take the leap. Unsure how to start when your to-do list is already long enough or your inbox is bursting with 1000 emails? It’s easier than you think!

Actions speak louder than words

On the 8th November 2018, the 7th annual PA of the Year awards took place at the prestigious Ivy Restaurant in London. Hosted by SecsintheCity – the UK’s only job site dedicated to Personal and Executive Assistants – the ceremony recognises and champions the very best talent and achievements in the industry.

We asked Amy Franklyn, Legal EA at Bird & Bird LLP and winner of the Legal PA of the Year award, to give us a rundown of her career thus far and tell all about the glamorous awards ceremony.

Q: How did you become an EA?

Ever since the concept of proportionality was introduced to legal costs as part of the Woolf reforms in 1999, the courts and legal practitioners have wrestled with what this actually means. As part of Lord Justice Jackson’s package of reforms in 2007 the test was set out in the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) Part 44. This part of the CPR provided that only costs which were considered proportionate to a case would be allowed. Costs which were considered disproportionate would either be disallowed or reduced even if the costs were reasonably or necessarily incurred.

To give a bit more clarity about what the courts consider when deciding whether costs are proportionate, they will look at:

(a) the sums at issue in the proceedings;

(b) the value of any non-monetary relief in the proceedings;

The new year is traditionally a time for reflection and resolutions. Many of us will be looking back at the previous year and thinking about which areas of our personal and professional lives we would like to improve in the coming one. And why not? The new year can be a fantastic excuse to revaluate our goals and consider how we would like to work on our skillset.

This month we are considering a further push by the government to make the conveyancing process quicker and cheaper. Currently the home buying process takes, on average, between three and four months from the date an offer is accepted until the transaction is completed. Part of the reason it takes this amount of time is because buyers and sellers can struggle to communicate basic initial information. In addition, this failure to communicate well can affect the number of transactions that fail to reach the completion stage. 

ILSPA’s Single Subject Legal Advanced Level courses are offered to Legal Secretaries who are looking to gain an in-depth understanding of one particular area of law, and acquire some advanced skills at a Paralegal level. In order for ILSPA to assess your understanding of the law, you are required to submit assignments in essay form.    

To start with, it’s a good idea to define what an essay is. If you were to look up the word in a dictionary, or even online generally, you would find a variety of meanings such as “a piece of formal writing which discusses a particular issue, situation or problem”.

It is common in January for people to start thinking about what skills they would like to learn in the coming year, or what areas they would like to improve in. So this month ILSPA wanted to consider not only how best to set and achieve your chosen 2019 goals but also the best mind-set to allow yourself to succeed and progress too. 

The genius zone idea is popular among many friends of mine. The idea is that we should spend more time doing what we do amazingly well, and delegate or eliminate everything else that we can.

A signature has been used as a formal obligation and personal certification for centuries, but are you ready to potentially sign your life away on the electronic dotted line? The use of electronic signatures in everyday life is now commonplace, with as many as four in ten signatures written in the UK to sign for deliveries, often using an electronic device.

E-signatures are efficient and easier to enforce, with the improvement for general customer service a significant benefit. However, uncertainty in their admissibility has meant that the uptake within law firms and businesses has been slow — most are concerned that e-signatures could still be challenged in court.

The PA Show 2019 (formerly Office* Show) will once again play host to the UK VA Conference. The show will take place at the Olympia exhibition centre in London on ‘VA Day’, 27th February 2019.

The UK VA Conference 2019 has compiled an agenda that will appeal to a whole range of Virtual Assistants and their skill levels – from start-up newcomers to established and successful Virtual Assistants.

Read on to see the complete agenda along with information about the hugely popular free VA Breakfast session that will be held before the event to kick off VA Day.

Session One 10:15am: #MyVAFuture - What should my VA business model be?

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

Legal Secretary/Executive Assistant to Managing Partner – Armon-Jones Partners   

Location: St Paul’s – City of London

Salary: £25,000 - £45,000  

Armon-Jones Partners has been exclusively mandated to find a Legal Secretary / Executive Assistant for the managing partner of a law firm based in St Paul's, London.

Their client is one of the leaders within the intellectual property sector and currently has a team of 40 based in London. The salary range is wide as they are looking for either someone who is junior and looking for an opportunity grow with the firm, or someone with more experience who can maybe take on more responsibility.

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

Junior Secretary – Judge Sykes Frixou   

Location: London

Salary: Negotiable   

Judge Sykes Frixou has an exciting new opportunity for a college student to join the firm as a Junior Secretary.

The role will require someone to undertake work in all areas of law that they practice in. They will provide in house training and are prepared to offer external training opportunities for the right candidate.

View the full job description here:

https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/recruiter/job/140670/

On 27 & 28 March, 2019, London’s ExCeL will play host to the latest edition of Legalex. This industry-leading show will create Europe’s most comprehensive and all-encompassing trade show package for legal professionals.

This year, the exhibition promises to be the most forward-thinking to date - housing 200 cutting-edge exhibitors and 150 educational seminars from some of the world’s top legal experts and innovative thinkers. Leading the industry as the most accomplished event for forward-thinking, ambitious and successful legal firms looking to modernise their practice. LegalEx 2019, is one not to miss.

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

Legal Secretary – Benson Mazure  

Location: London

Salary: £25,000 - £30,000

A well established, small, friendly and busy practice in the heart of the West end are looking to recruit a Legal Secretary.

You will be required to assist the Partners in the practice and work as part of a team.

View the full job description here:          

https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/143532/

Junior Secretary – Judge Sykes Frixou   

Location: London

Salary: Negotiable   

Set to be held at a prestigious Central London location, SecsintheCity’s annual networking event returns on the evening of Wednesday 10th July 2019.

This exclusive event, described by attendees last year as “a fabulous evening”, provides PAs, EAs and Office Support Professionals with an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues and contemporaries over complimentary wine and canapés.

There will also be a career management presentation from Corinne Mills, Managing Director of Personal Career Management. With 17 years of experience in career coaching and a background in HR, Corinne is author of the bestselling CV book You’re Hired! How to write a brilliant CV and has worked with organisations including Sky and the BBC.

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

Junior Legal Secretary – NJ Law Solicitors     

Location: Shepherd’s Bush

Salary: Subject to negotiation  

Junior Legal Secretary position available for self-motivated, well organised individual in a high street law firm based in Shepherd’s Bush W12. Areas of law undertaken include Litigation, Wills and Probate, Family and Immigration.

View the full job description here:          

https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/145109/

Legal Secretary (Personal Injury) – Jazz Personnel    

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

Receptionist/Junior Secretary – Judge Sykes Frixou   

Location: London

Salary: Negotiable

Judge Sykes Frixou are looking for a # Legal Secretary Student or Graduate to join their firm as a Receptionist/Junior Secretary.

This is a perfect role for those that are coming towards the end, or have recently completed, their Legal Secretary Diploma with ILSPA.

View the full job description here:

https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/148053/

Family Legal Secretary – Clayton Legal    

Location: Manchester

Salary: £17,000 - £21,000 

Nominations are now open for SecsintheCity’s 8th annual PA of the Year Awards

SecsintheCity – the UK’s only job board for PAs, EAs and Office Support Professionals – is looking for the most talented and dedicated PAs, EAs and Office Managers to be winners at their eighth annual PA of the Year Awards.

Sponsored by specialist PA recruitment consultancy Tay Associates, the PA of the Year Awards acknowledge and celebrate the business-critical support that Personal Assistants provide to the companies and individuals for whom they work.

Chief Executive of Tay Associates, Susanna Tait, reiterates that the awards were created “to champion the profession and acknowledge the significant contributions that PAs and EAs make to the organisations they work for.”

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.

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.

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:

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

Legal PA – Elliott James Recruitment Ltd     

Location: Cheltenham

Salary: £25,000

Excellent opportunity for a PA to provide secretarial support at a high level within one of Gloucestershire’s top law firms. The successful candidate will have previous experience in a similar role.

View the full job description here:

https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/161488/ 

Legal Secretary – Residential and Commercial Conveyancing – Vivash Brand LLP      

Location: North Cheam

Salary: £24,000

SecsintheCity – the only job board dedicated to PAs, EAs and Office Support Professionals – is searching for outstanding Legal PAs and EAs to be winners at the eighth annual PA of the Year Awards.

While an abundance of high calibre nominations has already been submitted for this year’s event, we know a wealth of talent and achievement remains untapped. With limited time left to nominate yourself or a colleague, we want to hear from you today.

Your questions answered

Alongside event judge and Chief Executive of Tay Associates Susanna Tait, SecsintheCity recently answered some of the questions that are most frequently asked about the PA of the Year Awards.

What do you look for in a Legal PA, EA or Office Manager?

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

Trainee Legal Secretary - Hindles Ltd

Location: Edinburgh

Salary: Competitive

Hindles wishes to recruit a trainee Legal Secretary to work alongside their team of paralegals to provide support to their patent and trade mark attorneys. The role entails assisting the attorneys in the preparation of correspondence, forms and other documents for patent and trade mark applications, as well as other tasks.  All this work needs to be done with accuracy and considerable care and attention.

View the full job description here:   

https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/164345/

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

Legal Secretary – Darton Law Ltd   

Location: Ashford, Middlesex

Salary: £18,000 - £24,000 DOE

Darton Law Ltd, a firm based in lower Feltham and Ashford (Middlesex) high street, seek to recruit a Legal Secretary to join their team. The role would be supporting fee earners in the areas of Criminal, Civil, Family Law, conveyancing and wills & probate. The role will be based at the Ashford office.

View the full job description here:          

https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/166366/

Legal Secretary – Matthew Waite & Co  

Location: Tring, Hertfordshire

The Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs is delighted to be offering new online webinar classes, which start on Tuesday 7 January 2020. Webinars have become a very popular form of learning due to the growth of virtual communication.

ILSPA now provides three study method options for our Legal Secretaries Diploma course. You can study through evening classes in London, online webinar classes or online via distance learning.

The beauty of our new option is that you can study our course from the comfort of your own home as well as being taught by one of our tutors. Our online webinar classes enable you to have an interactive experience, where you can communicate with your tutor and be part of a group of Students. It is a great blend of our evening classes and our distance learning courses.

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

Legal Secretary – Property and Litigation – Sherrards

Location: St Albans

Salary: £22,000 - £30,000

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a full-time Legal Float Secretary within a leading law firm in the beautiful city of St Albans. The individual will be providing legal secretarial support for both the Property and Litigation departments.

View the full job description here:          

https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/166430/

Legal Secretary – Matthew Waite & Co  

Location: Tring, Hertfordshire

Salary: £21,950 - £23,950 DOE

On November 7th, the UK’s most talented PAs, EAs and Office Managers gathered at London’s Ivy restaurant for the PA of the Year Awards 2019.

Event host SecsintheCity caught up with Legal PA of the Year finalist Eleanor Lawson to find out more about her role at DWF Law LLP, her experience of the Awards and her advice to aspiring Legal PAs.

How did you become a Legal PA?

After finishing my A-levels, I decided I didn't want to go to university, so I applied for a job as an Apprentice Business Administrator at DWF Law LLP. After completing my apprenticeship, a vacancy for a Personal Assistant became available in my team – Corporate – and I was offered the role and promoted.

What do you love about being a Legal PA?