AddressAllen & Overy is a leading global law firm operating in over thirty countries. We work on some of the most challenging and important deals and have built a reputation for delivering exceptional legal solutions that help our clients grow, innovate and thrive. The legal industry is changing, and we're committed to leading that change, putting our people first, embracing new ways of thinking and integrating technology into our everyday work. Our business teams work hand-in-hand with our lawyers, Consultants and other specialist teams, and are ambitious, driven and leaders in their field.
We're on an exciting journey to create an even stronger offering for our clients and our people: In May 2023, we announced our proposed merger with Shearman and Sterling, with the intention of becoming a new global leader named Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, A&O Shearman for short.
With a shared commitment to attracting and retaining the best people and an equal focus on creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace, we're confident that this merger will further our efforts to leave a better firm for future generations as well as providing our people with exceptional career opportunities along the way.
Once complete, the merger will combine two of the world's most prestigious law firms, leaders in their respective markets, to create an integrated global elite firm. You can read more about this on our dedicated microsite https://www.announcingaoss.com.
With us, you will constantly be learning and growing. We invest in you by offering exceptional professional and personal development - providing training, mentoring and practical support. We offer rewarding careers that are built around your strengths and designed to ensure you can achieve your personal and professional goals, recognising that those may look different for everyone.
We have a powerful commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We're determined to play our part in advancing a workplace where progress is made by harnessing our differences - whatever defines you, we ask you to bring your whole self to work. What truly defines a career at Allen & Overy? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. We provide challenge, support and a place for you to belong. And together we excel, working on meaningful projects of global significance.
We welcome applications from people of all ages, genders (including if you identify as transgender or gender diverse), sexual orientation, cultural backgrounds, family or caring responsibilities, and people living with a disability. If you need any support to fully participate in the application process, please contact Australian Recruitment for guidance.
Role purpose
The role of a Legal PA at Allen & Overy is exciting, challenging and rewarding. Working alongside leading lawyers, Allen & Overy recognises that Legal PAs are an important part of the team. Our Legal PA's are required to provide a professional and efficient legal administrative service to Partners and other fee earners. Being an integral part of the shared services team you will encounter exciting career opportunities and challenges, working with the best legal professionals in the field. This role is a 12 month FTC.
Key relationships
- LPAs
- Partners
- Shared Service teams
- Colleagues in other offices in the firm's network
- External suppliers to the business
Role and responsibilities
- Manage incoming communication (including email and voicemail). Drafting replies as required.
- Diary management, arranging meeting rooms, collating documentation for meetings and prompting the Partner as appropriate to maintain their working schedule. Spotting issues and thinking ahead to rearrange where necessary. Also prompt fee earners to attend meetings as required.
- Monitoring fee-earners emails and tending to requests from clients.
- Coordinating and booking travel as required.
- Ensure mail is processed efficiently (physically and electronically), maintaining confidentiality at all times. This includes management of mailing lists for Partners and practice areas and circulating newsletters as required.
- Establish and maintain an effective filing system to ensure completeness and accuracy of technical, professional and matter information.
- Produce and amend documents and correspondence. Take responsibility for the general management and turnaround of documents. As required, work with our outsourced design company to update marketing documents, amend pitches, prepare bios for client meetings / lunches and assist with client research requests. This also includes printing print jobs for Partners / Lawyers (over 50 pages can be sent to the print room).
- Help lawyers complete their timesheets every day.
- Provide cross-group and departmental support where necessary.
- Assess and prioritise client requests, ensuring that all messages are relayed in a timely fashion.
- Provide efficient and professional assistance to meet the needs of the client.
- Maintain basic marketing information.
- Field and process calls from ad hoc callers and prospective new clients.
- Enter and update various systems / programs such as EPIC and League tables.
- Schedule coordination of roadshows.
- Manage team CVs and general experience lists, and tailor team CVs for pitches.
- Coordinate events including collating and managing invitation lists, printing names tags and distributing. Assisting with firm events such as clerk recruitment.
- Ensure desks are cleared and clean when; a team member leaves the firm, goes on leave, or when a new starter commences. It involves consulting with your team to ensure this is done efficiently and documents are stored appropriately.
- Organising stationery for any new starters to your team.
- Ownership and management of team's expense policies when preparing expense claims (refer to expense policies to understand if claim can be processed before sending to Finance).
- Ensure that Finance is advised of status for any outstanding invoices relating to matters and where any action is required from Finance.
- Ensure performance review meetings are organised for the team during review season
- Ensure team members book leave in the system.
- Help with annual processes including renewal practicing certificates.
- Edit narratives, review WIP and submit billing guides to Revenue team in line with communicated deadlines to facilitate the month end billing process.
- Assist with the matter inception process
- Ensure all required forms and associated backup relating to client trust monies are completed and submitted to Finance in accordance with Law Society Trust rules
Who we are looking for
The ideal candidate will be a flexible, resilient & robust individual who is confident in their approach, pro-active, quick to learn and someone that is able to exercise independent thought as to what needs to be done. We are looking for the following skills / personal attributes:
- Experienced Legal PA (5 years plus)
- High level of attention to detail
- Organized and able to prioritise
- Excellent administration skills, keyboard and software proficiency
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Calm, unflappable demeanor
- Professional telephone manner
