Legal Administrator

Broadfield UK (formerly BDB Pitmans) is a law firm that serves mid-market clients, with deep expertise in multiple practice areas and a strong commitment to client service. As trusted advisors in navigating complexities of law, the Broadfield team is comprised of entrepreneurial experts and leaders who provide legal strategies and solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. With offices currently in London, Cambridge, Reading and Southampton, Broadfield UK has a team of over 420 experts dedicated to building lasting client relationships grounded in trust and integrity. 2024, Broadfield UK became the founding member firm of Broadfield..

The Private Real Estate Group provides high quality advice and service to private clients, trusts and family offices in connection with their real estate affairs. It works closely where appropriate with other specialists in the Firm, including in particular Private Client and Commercial Real Estate lawyers to achieve that aim. The Group currently comprises 5 partners, 24 fee earners and 6 support staff across the Firm’s 4 offices.

An opportunity has arisen for a Legal Administrator to join our Individuals: Private Real Estate team based in our Reading office. The role will work alongside the partners and fee earners in the team to provide them with general administrative and legal support

The main tasks of this role would include:

• General administrative tasks such as paper filing, electronic filing (profiling), scanning and archiving, amending documents.
• File management (file opening, closing, matter balance clearance, scheduling).
• Obtaining and collating AML documentation, liaising with fee earners and the Risk & Compliance Department regarding AML requirements.
• Answering the phones and dealing with client queries, including taking messages wherever appropriate.
• Scanning and profiling post.
• Collating contract packages on sale properties, including requesting title information, management information packs.
• Requesting searches on purchase properties.
• Liaising with lenders over the telephone and in writing in relation to queries and requesting redemption figures and mortgage advances etc.
• Preparing files for completion.
• Dealing with post completion requirements, including submitting stamp duty returns, submitting Land Registry Forms and dealing with Land Registry queries.
• Scheduling registrations to clients and lender and file closures, including dealing with archiving and cash balances.
• Maintaining client databases, entering new client and contact information, we use Interaction and Elite.
• Providing general support to the wider team.
• Diary management and maintaining client databases.
• Support billing processes for fee-earning team to include drafting bill narratives and covering letters.
• Make appointments and arrange meetings on behalf of designated fee-earners ensuring rooms are booked and refreshment/catering arrangements made.
• Attend to any travel arrangements.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

• A Level or Equivalent or above is preferred

Knowledge/Experience

• Strong administrative experience of working in a law firm
• Land Registry registration experience preferable
• Customer Service experience essential
• Or a graduate with some legal knowledge and ideally experience of the residential property world

Skills

• An organised approach to working
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Job Specification        

• 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday – 35 hours per week.
• Reasonable additional hours may be required from time to time