Vacancy – Legal Assistant Private Client Wills & Probate

F Barnes Solicitors seek a Legal Assistant with proven, recent private client experience within the Wills & Probate department 

The successful candidate must be experienced specifically, in the area of Wills, Probate and LPA’s and be someone who can demonstrate that they have had at least two years’ experience in assisting a legal advisor with their private client caseload. 

The candidate would need to be self-motivated, highly organised and have good communication skills with clients as the role would be client facing. The candidate would need to be able to submit LPA and Grant of Probate applications online and preferably have background in using LEAP case management.  

F Barnes are based in Romford, Gidea Park and Collier Row, our legal advisors are all specialists in their respective fields and act for a wide range of commercial and private sector clients. 

This position is full time assisting a senior solicitor with a large and interesting caseload to include Trusts, Probate, Estate Planning and Administration. 

The Candidate 

• At least two years’ experience in assisting within Private Client, Wills & Probate. 
• The required experience in drafting and preparing legal documentation: Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Wills & Trusts, general correspondence; 
• Knowledge of preparing and completing IHT forms such as IHT205, IHT217 and IHT400 
• Able to prepare LPA forms and Wills on the notes of the solicitor 
• Ability to prepare Probate forms online 
• Experience of LEAP case management system preferred 
• Good overall technical knowledge of private client work with the ability to work unsupervised 
• Clear demonstrable ability and keenness to build and maintain client and referrer relationships; 
• Excellent administration and organisational skills; 
• Friendly and approachable 
• Digital audio transcription; Typing speed of 60 WPM 
• Excellent team player; 
• Candidates would need to be able to easily commute to all three offices for holiday and departmental team cover. 

The Role 

• The position will be based at either Romford or Collier Row office to assist a senior legal advisor primarily along with assistance in the probate department when required. 
• Hands on client contact and assisting with private client Wills, LPAs, Probate, Trusts and Estate Planning matters 
• Hours – 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday (however we can accommodate 4 days per week) 
• Working as part of a friendly, enthusiastic team 
• The candidate receives a share of the legal advisors profit share bonus 

Benefits: 

• Basic salary starting from £28,500.00 per year (full time) with potential for more depending upon experience.  
• Additional discretionary performance related bonuses awarded together with profit related bonus. 
• Company pension 
• Employee discount 
• Parking 
• Favourable Holiday 5.6 weeks per annum including bank holidays (full time) 
• Additional discretionary annual leave in between Christmas and New Year 
• Additional 1 day for your Birthday after six months service 
• Staff social events 

CV to Joanne.druce@fbarnes.co.uk