The Legal PA of the Year award goes to someone who truly stands out in supporting busy legal teams with skill, organisation and dedication. In 2024, Jo Benjamin, Senior Legal PA at Baker McKenzie, won the category thanks to her impressive ability to juggle complex tasks with calm and efficiency.

But it’s not just about the day-to-day. Jo has also made a real difference leading her firm’s Charity Committee, helping raise important funds for London’s Air Ambulance. Her hard work, professionalism, and genuine care make her a fantastic example of what it means to be a top Legal PA.

How …

The Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs (ILSPA) is delighted to announce a special collaboration with The Assistant Room to offer an exciting competition for all our members and followers.

One lucky winner will receive:

• ILSPA Annual Membership – access exclusive resources, training, and support for your legal career. (Existing Members will have their Membership extended by one year). 
• The Assistant Room Annual Membership – join a vibrant network of professionals, gain career insights, and enjoy member-only perks.
• A Jo Malone candle. 
• A box of custom Steph Bakes cookies.

This competition celebrates our shared commitment to supporting and empowering administrative …

It is with great pleasure that ILSPA announces our new partnership with The Assistant Room. Founded in 2016, The Assistant Room exists to transform the future of Business Support Professionals. Through award-winning events, an internationally acclaimed podcast, and their industry-leading membership, they provide expert-led training, career tools, and a global network redefining excellence in support.

Who supports the people who support the Lawyers?
Behind every successful Solicitor, Barrister, and Paralegal is a Legal PA or Legal Secretary making sure deadlines are met, documents are flawless, and clients are supported. But here’s the thing..while lawyers are given clear routes for training and CPD, Legal …

ILSPA recently had the pleasure of interviewing Lucy Brazier OBE, a globally recognised advocate for administrative professionals and the CEO of Marcham Publishing. In this inspiring conversation, Lucy shares the story behind Executive Support Magazine, her passion for elevating the assistant profession, and her vision for the future of administrative work in an era of AI and global change.

What inspired you to focus your career on advocating for administrative professionals?
It began as a publishing project but quickly became a calling. When I acquired Executive Secretary Magazine (as it was then) back in 2010,  I started travelling and meeting …

For generations, “Dear Sirs” has been the standard opening for formal letters in legal and business correspondence. It conveyed respect and formality, in line with the norms of its era. But as language evolves, so does our profession.

At a time when women now make up a significant and growing proportion of practising solicitors, it’s clear that the old forms of address no longer reflect the reality of today’s legal community.

The phrase “Dear Sirs” dates back to a period when the legal profession was almost exclusively male. In those days, letters between firms and clients would naturally assume a …

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way many industries operate, and the legal sector is no exception. With new technologies emerging, it’s natural for Legal Secretaries to wonder how AI might affect their roles. The reassuring truth is that while AI is a powerful tool, it cannot replace the human expertise, insight and judgement, that are central to a Legal Secretary’s work. Instead, it enhances what professionals already do best.

AI thrives on data and automation, but it depends entirely on human input and instruction. Legal Secretaries play a vital role in directing how these systems are used. AI can assist …

If you’re training to become a Legal Secretary or looking to refresh your skills, a valuable skill you can master is audio typing (also known as transcription). Whether you’re transcribing client interviews, legal notes, or court documents, fast and accurate typing skills are essential.

Fortunately, there are some online resources to help you practise your audio typing skills.

Sense-Lang Audio Typing Tutor

Sense-Lang offers an interactive audio typing mode that plays short recordings while you type what you hear. You can control playback speed and difficulty, making it a great place to start if you’re still building your listening accuracy and confidence. …

The Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs is excited to announce our partnership with Pathway. Pathway is a recruitment agency based in Belfast that specialises in legal recruitment.

Across Northern Ireland, law firms are busier than ever, and there is a clear shortage of skilled Legal Secretaries. At Pathway, we see first hand how critical these roles are to the smooth running of a practice. Legal Secretaries provide essential support, from managing case files and preparing documents to liaising with clients and supporting solicitors with their daily work. Their skills ensure firms can operate efficiently and deliver high quality service …

SecsintheCity, the UK’s only dedicated job site for PAs, EAs and business support professionals, has officially opened nominations for its 14th annual PA of the Year Awards.
  
These prestigious awards celebrate the invaluable contributions of Personal Assistants, Executive Assistants, Legal PAs and Business Support Managers across the UK. Whether you want to recognise a colleague or put yourself forward, this is the time to shine a light on exceptional talent. 
 
Award categories for this year include:  
● PA of the Year 
● Legal PA of the Year 
● Business Support Manager of the Year 

Nominations are open …

The National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) is launching the very first Level 5 Paralegal specific qualification to be accredited by Ofqual. 

The Level 5 Diploma for Senior Associate Paralegals joins NALP’s suite of Ofqual regulated Paralegal qualifications including Level 3 Certificate for Paralegal Technicians, Level 4 Certificate for Associate Paralegals, and the Level 7 Diploma in Paralegal Practice. Level 6 will be launched at a later date.

The Level 5 Diploma for Senior Associate Paralegals builds on the key foundational subjects required for a career within the legal profession, allowing learners to go into greater detail and further develop …