Legal PA -Contentious Tax Team

Job Description

The VacancyOur UK Contentious Tax team has many years’ experience of all types of tax disputes across the whole of the tax system. This ranges from acting for FTSE 100 companies in complex cross-border matters through to assisting HNW and UHNW private individuals.Containing both solicitors and barristers, the team is able to advise on all contentious matters that pertain to tax. The teams work mix includes disclosures to HMRC, civil enquiries, criminal enquiries, litigation before the tax tribunals, professional negligenceactions and restitution, rectification and rescission claims before the High Court and non-UK courts.Our team has fee earners in both Fieldfishers London and Birmingham offices and works seamlessly between the two locations.Long recognised in both Chambers and Legal 500, the Fieldfisher Contentious Tax team was shortlisted for Litigation Team of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2022.Inclusiveness and DiversityAt Fieldfisher, led by the social model of disability, we are working towards removing accessibility barriers and maximising disability and neurodiversity inclusion in our recruitment processes.Should you have any accessibility requirements, please contact a member of Fieldfishers Recruitment Team who will work with you to implement suitable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All conversations are treated in the strictest ofconfidence and we would appreciate your feedback to ensure we can provide an accessible and enjoyable recruitment process. For accessibility information on our Birmingham offices, please visit our website.What can you expect

• Diary management
• File management responsibilities - Opening and closing files including ensuring electronic filing systems are maintained accurately and up to date.
• Mailbox management with the ability to prioritise, categorise and respond to basic client requests and draft responses accordingly.
• Monitoring and being the gatekeeper to fee-earners mailbox in their absence.
• Communicate regularly with fee earners to ensure that both parties are clear on priorities and what is on the to do list.
• To undertake limited typing i.e urgent documents.
• Proactive client liaison including take messages, pass on information and deal with simple queries.
• Pro-actively delegate work to the relevant Legal Support Services team e.g Document Production team, Practice Administration to ensure that PA time is maximised and the newly introduced model is being followed.
• Management and co-ordination of the Partners’ billing and financial requirements
• Proactive billing and credit control
• Liaise with Billing for Partner WIP reports
• Run WIP reports and distribute to Partners and chase Partners for client matters numbers for printing billing guides and draft invoice
• Build an understanding of each clients different billing requirements to ensure that invoices are not rejected.
• Prepare specific draft billing narratives where required.
• Prepare draft letters/emails to accompany sensitive invoices, thank you letters etc.
• Submit invoices on behalf of Partners and respond to clients on billing issues.
• Build relationships with Client PAs/accounts departments to ensure that billing issues are resolved quickly.
• Opening new clients
• Prepare and complete AML/Conflicts checks
• Organisation of meeting agendas, presentations and meeting papers ensuring they are distributing to relevant fee earners to enable them to have adequate preparation time.
• InterAction - management of fee earners contact data including recording BD activities, updating marketing lists, assisting with pipeline/opportunity updates
• Organising conference calls on behalf of the fee earners.
• Organising transport, accommodation and related documentation for international travel as required and produce itinerary as appropriate.
• Assisting with workload of team members within practice group and across the firm as required.
• Any additional ad hoc tasks as required.

A bit about you

• Experienced Legal Secretary/PA with a minimum of 3 years experience.
• Must possess excellent diary management, organisation and prioritisation skills.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and build good relationships with clients and staff within the firm.
• Must work well as part of a team.
• Must be a competent, fast and accurate typist.
• Must be competent at producing legal documents to a high standard.
• Professional telephone manner and the ability to accurately record and pass on messages.
• Sound technical skills in the following areas - Microsoft Office IT skills - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook (Fieldfisher uses Microsoft 2010).
• Proven document or case management skills (Fieldfisher use Worksite).
• Proven experience of using a legal computerised finance system.
• Proven experience of using a Client Relationship Management system (Fieldfisher use InterAction).

What can we offer youOur people are at the core of what we do. Fieldfishers benefits package is designed to enable all colleagues to thrive in an inclusive and supportive environment. These benefits range from private health insurance, life assurance & income protection, flexi-gymdiscounts, season ticket loans, bike-to-work loans and much more.Fieldfisher Birmingham is based in Blythe Park, Solihull that is perfect for those who prefer to escape the hustle and bustle of city centre working. This office in particular has become renowned for working closely and collaboratively with colleagues acrossthe UK and international Fieldfisher Networks and has a future of growth and potential. Our hybrid-working model enables our people to work alongside our Business Support Professionals, Lawyers and Partners supporting major project work in key areas such asTech, Litigation and Competition in an open plan workspace that encourages a sense of camaraderie.Required skills

• Claims
• Diary Management
• Filing
• International Travel
• Relationship Management