Leah McMath
Welling,Kent
Summary
Experienced and highly organised PA with a background supporting senior stakeholders in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Skilled in complex diary and inbox management, meeting coordination, and international travel planning, with strong experience across billing, client onboarding, and document management. A proven relationship builder, known for strengthening team cohesion and building effective working relationships across all levels. Recognised for delivering efficient, high-quality support, maintaining discretion, and managing competing priorities with ease. Now seeking to bring this experience into a dynamic professional environment.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Team PA
Macfarlanes LLP
London
2024.07 - Current
- Provide high-level PA support to fee earners within the Real Estate & Construction team
- Manage complex diaries and coordinate internal and client meetings
- Coordinate domestic and international travel, including full itinerary planning
- Oversee billing processes, including WIP management, proformas, and liaison with finance teams
- Daily use of Intapp to manage client onboarding, matter setup, and legal documentation
- Successfully managed an overseas fee earner trip, improving internal travel processes
- Support the organisation of department-wide away days for full team participation
PA to Headteacher
Bishop Justus Church of England School
2022.08 - 2024.06
- Provide executive-level PA support to the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team
- Act as key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders
- Manage complex diary, inbox, and prioritisation for the Headteacher
- Oversee school calendar and coordinate leadership meetings and key operational events
- Prepare high-level briefings, agendas, and minutes for senior leadership meetings
- Support operational planning alongside the Business and Finance Director
- Coordinate large-scale school events, including Open Evenings
- Manage onboarding and governance processes for Advisory Council members
- Lead appraisals and performance reviews, identifying training needs
- Oversee workload planning and provide team support
Junior Legal PA
Shepherd and Wedderburn
London
2022.02 - 2022.07
- Provide PA support to partners, coordinating client meetings and schedules
- Manage meeting logistics, including venues, travel, IT setup, and refreshments
- Prepare briefing documents and take minutes for partner and client meetings
- Process expenses and payments on behalf of senior stakeholders
- Maintain legal file systems, including archiving and document management
- Track facilities services, including invoices, stock control, and supplier coordination
- Support compliance processes, including health and safety and remote working assessments
Team Executive
Ashurst LLP
London
2019.12 - 2022.02
- Provide PA support to fee earners across Real Estate and Employment teams
- Handle billing processes, including WIP reporting, proformas, invoicing, and finance forms (CHAPS, requisitions)
- Support client and matter management, including onboarding and file opening/closing
- Prepare legal documentation, including engrossments, correspondence, and document formatting (track changes, comparisons)
- Utilise BigHand for transcription and manage time entry for fee earners
- Conduct legal research using Land Registry, SearchFlow, and Companies House
- Manage document workflows, including uploads to client data rooms and systems
- Provide inbox management and cover for fee earners during absence
Team assistant
Ashurst
London
2018.07 - 2019.12
- Provide administrative support to the Real Estate team, supporting fee earners with day-to-day tasks
- Prepare and manage documents, including printing, scanning, binding, and uploading to client systems
- Assist with legal research using Land Registry
- Support scheduling and tracking of deeds and documentation
- Assisted with departmental office relocation, coordinating document movement and logistics
- Act as first point of contact for clients at firm events and meetings
Education
CILEX Level 3 Diploma - Legal Secretaries
North Kent College
2017.09 - 2018.06
AS Qualification - Media
Blackfen Sixth Form
2016.09 - 2017.05
GCSEs -
Blackfen School for Girls
2011.09 - 2016.07
Skills
- Complex diary and inbox management
- Stakeholder and senior executive support, Meeting coordination, agendas and minute-taking, travel and itinerary planning
- Legal document preparation and formatting
- Team coordination and operational support
Key Skills
- Microsoft Office: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Legal & Document Management Systems: 3E (Elite), iManage, Filesite, BigHand, Power PDF Advanced, Intapp
- Client & CRM Tools: InterAction
- Real Estate / Transactional Tools: Land Registry, SearchFlow, Companies House
Technical Proficiency
REFERENCES
References are available on request.
Affiliations
- Dance: I am a trained freestyle dance teacher (ages 3-21)
- Fitness: gym & HIIT classes
- Socialising
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Team PA
Macfarlanes LLP
2024.07 - Current
PA to Headteacher
Bishop Justus Church of England School
2022.08 - 2024.06
Junior Legal PA
Shepherd and Wedderburn
2022.02 - 2022.07
Team Executive
Ashurst LLP
2019.12 - 2022.02
Team assistant
Ashurst
2018.07 - 2019.12
CILEX Level 3 Diploma - Legal Secretaries
North Kent College
2017.09 - 2018.06
AS Qualification - Media
Blackfen Sixth Form
2016.09 - 2017.05
GCSEs -
Blackfen School for Girls
2011.09 - 2016.07