Lydia Brown

I currently work as an experienced legal assistant in the Private Client Department. I have experience supporting fee earners in probate, wills, and lasting powers of attorney matters. Highly organised and detail-oriented, with responsibility for drafting legal documents and correspondence, managing files from instruction through to completion, liaising with clients and third parties, and maintaining accurate records. Confident in handling sensitive matters with discretion and empathy, while balancing a busy workload, meeting deadlines, and providing efficient administrative and secretarial support within a fast-paced legal environment.

General day to day duties include but are not limited to: -

• Facilitated smooth office operations by performing routine clerical tasks .
• Maintained up-to-date knowledge of legislation changes relevant to practice area.
• Streamlined office procedures with effective administrative tasks.
• Achieved efficient case management by meticulously organising legal documents.
• Liaised directly with clients to establish strong professional relationships.
• Drafted and submitted legal documents to senior staff for review and approval.
• Managed client files with highest levels of confidentiality and discretion.
• Updated client files in case management systems for accurate, current records.
• Organised files and documentation to improve ease of information retrieval.
• Scanned, faxed and archived documentation for robust case files.
• Met practice, firm and legal standards for compliant case management.
• Billed clients and processed payments to maintain balanced accounts.
• Accurately transcribed legal dictations, maximising accuracy in documentation processes.

When I started working within this firm I was employed as Trainee Legal Secretary, within my training I learnt the legal system used within the firm, I learnt and organised the filing system together with writing letters and emails to clients. I also assisted with reception duties and any administration duties needed within the office. I enrolled in a Legal Secretary course that was offered in which I learnt a lot about general law procedures together with how to form legal documents, I passed this course with a diploma. On completion of this, I enrolled in a Paralegal Diploma course. I have now completed this course resulting in being a qualified Paralegal. General duties I carried out on a general day to day basis included: -

• Manage the daily calendar for my fee earner, coordinate meetings and calls
• Maintain confidentiality of all legal information and documents
• Manage incoming and outgoing mail, ensuring prompt delivery of important documents
• Answer phones and route calls to the appropriate personnel
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients and other legal professionals
• Process invoices and payments in a timely manner

When working within the retail industry, my organisational skills have been further developed along with my time management skills. I have built positive and engaging work relationships with my colleagues, which I feel is essential when working in a team-based environment. Along with being a duty manager, I had also been given the added responsibility of opening and closing the store and the responsibility to deal with the banking of money in the store.

I was employed at the Hoof & Rooster, a local restaurant working as both a waitress and bar staff. During this time, I was given the responsibility to run the floor on numerous occasions as I demonstrated a high level of accuracy in taking orders and delivering food, resulting in few customer complaints, ensuring the smooth running of various aspects of the restaurant. This included the successful management of the other members of staff on duty. I work well under pressure and manage well during busy periods, and I always ensured customer satisfaction was my priority. My customer service skills were further honed, and this role taught me how to resolve any customer complaints in a timely and professional manner, resulting in repeat customers and referrals.