Personal Assistant (12 Month FTC)

Company Description

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

Job Description

The role

The Personal Assistant provides specialised support to a Knowledge Lawyer who has a visual impairment, based in our Canary Wharf office.

Who you will work with

Knowledge Lawyer in our TechDigital team.

What you will be responsible for

The role holder will be supporting the Knowledge Lawyer with personal duties as well as providing legal support work. The Personal Assistant will work collaboratively with the TechDigital groups Practice Assistants (PAs) and Junior Practice Assistants (JPAs) to ensure full support is provided for the Knowledge Lawyer during working hours.

What you will do

Personal Assistant duties:

• The Knowledge Lawyer may choose to work from the office 4 days per week, and the role holder will be expected to be in the office on the same days.

• Provide the knowledge lawyer with the necessary sighted support, for example, describing visual aspects of documents, keeping the lawyer informed of the colleagues in presence, in the office or at events, etc.

• Provide personal assistance throughout the day, which will include escorting the Knowledge Lawyer to internal and external meetings, lunches and personal breaks.

• Attending networking events, client lunches and training courses.

• Accompanying the Knowledge Lawyer during overseas business trips and client events.

• Providing ad hoc personal and professional administrative support.

• You may be required to work beyond your standard working hours. This is likely to be once a month.

Legal based duties:

• Facilitate communication by reading written materials and converting them to an accessible format.

• Guide, read, research and communicate sight-based information to the Knowledge Lawyer as required.

• Provie assistance with researching points of law and any unfamiliar issues using internal and external resources.

• Proofreading of documents and assistance with formatting as required. Delegating work to the Document Production Unit and other Business Support Services as appropriate.

• Notetaking at virtual and in person meetings.

• Assistance with producing briefings and presentation slides as required.

• Coordination of team training sessions including researching and managing administration for calendar of events including invites and accompanying materials.

• Provide the outlined above support on other premises, e.g. should the Knowledge Lawyer be seconded to one of Clifford Chance's client offices.

Qualifications

Your experience

Skills and experience required:

• Experience of providing first class 1:1 PA support.

• Ideally experience of working within a professional firm.

• Preferably some legal knowledge or a keenness to understand legal terminologies.

• Ability to quickly look up and find your way around legal text and information.

• Excellent IT skills, including all Microsoft packages, exposure to legal technologies would be preferable.

• Strong communication and networking skills.

• Highly personable and proactive.

• Adaptable and able to handle multiple tasks efficiently.

• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive attitude.

• Exceptional organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the needs of visually impaired individuals.

How we will support you

From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and development your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning.

Additional Information

Hybrid Working

Due to the nature of this role, office attendance is required for more than our 'balanced' hybrid working policy. The expectation for this role is to be working in the office for a minimum of 80% of your time.

What we offer including our broad range of benefits and working environment

When you join Clifford Chance, you will have access to a broad range of benefits to support you across many aspects of your personal and professional life including financial, wellbeing, lifestyle, and family friendly benefits. For more information on what we offer specifically in the UK, please visit our What We Offer page on our career site.

Equal opportunities statement

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society. 

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. 

Find out more about our inclusive culture here.

#IND1 #LI-AO1