Travers Smith is a leading full-service law firm, with a
wealth of experience in its areas of specialisation. The firm has a
market-leading reputation for its international expertise in Asset
Management, M&A and Dispute Resolution & Investigations.
Clients include asset managers across the alternative asset classes
(private equity, venture, credit, infrastructure and real estate),
publicly listed and private companies, financial institutions, and
other business enterprises involved in large and complex UK and
cross-border matters, transactions and disputes. Our purpose is to
provide the highest quality of service to our clients whilst
enabling our people to achieve professional fulfilment in a
supportive, inclusive and enjoyable working environment.
The Role
The Practice Executive
(Practice Exec) role will provide multifaceted support to their Practice Group(s) by
supporting the Legal Operations Practice Lead (Legal Ops
PL) (or relevant Partner, where there is no Legal Ops
Practice Lead) with day-to-day and business-as-usual activities and
with the delivery of firmwide and Practice Group
projects/initiatives. They will also provide traditional PA support
to a small number of Partners and lawyers within their Practice
Group(s).
This role offers a unique opportunity
for an experienced professional to take on a position that involves
traditional PA duties but also contributes to the smooth running of the firm's legal
departments, maximising efficiencies and continuously improving
internal processes and services.
Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities will include:
Operational:
Provide direct operational support to the Legal Operations PL (or
relevant Partner, where there is no Legal Ops PL), attending Partner
meetings when required.
Support with work allocation, holiday approval, room moves,
leaver/joiner and NQ and Trainee transition processes, together with
other business-as-usual tasks.
Liaise and coordinate with the firm's business services functions
to ensure the operational and administrative needs of the Practice
Group and firm are met.
Support with data gathering and data entry.
Coordinate communications within the Practice Group, proactively
preparing drafts and prompts for others.
Support the implementation of firmwide projects within their
Practice Group.
Take the lead on logistical arrangements for department socials
and offsites.
Process improvement
Identify opportunities to improve effectiveness and develop best
practice, e.g. time recording, billing, leavers/joiners, secondments.
Be a Practice Group sponsor for process improvement projects.
Personal Assistant support
Act as a 'gatekeeper' for a providing stellar administrative
support to assigned Partners, including managing calendars, travel
arrangements, and correspondence.
Liaise with and co-ordinate meeting attendees, both internal and
external, ensuring all parties have the relevant information ahead
of time.
Prepare agendas, reports, presentations, and documents.
Take the initiative to oversee ad-hoc administrative projects for
the Partners.
Engage actively in the care of clients and look for opportunities
to build relationships with client contacts and PAs where appropriate.
Deal with basic client queries and general administration.
Key Stakeholders
Lawyers
Legal Operations
Practice Support
Central Finance
Legal Technology
Business Development
HR Business Partners
Personal Specification - Experience, Knowledge & Skills
Detailed understanding of law firms and legal process.
Exceptional discretion and sensitivity.
Organised, with the ability to juggle tasks and priorities.
Ability to communicate with people at all levels.
Efficient, commercial and able to think laterally.
Consistently positive attitude and 'can do' approach.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, as part of a
wider team.
Understanding of law firm finances.
Ability to drive change in a partnership, providing 'friendly challenge'.