Job Details

Owen Reed is looking for a Senior Practice Assistant for a top law firm in London.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Senior Practice Assistant to join a highly regarded Employment team on a part-time job-share basis. The successful candidate will work 2.5–3 days per week (Wednesday to Friday), providing high-level, proactive support to fee earners and the wider team.

The role suits someone who is exceptionally organised, detail-oriented and confident managing a broad and varied workload in a fast-paced legal environment.

Working Hours Part-time: 2.5–3 days per week

Wednesday to Friday, 9.30am – 5.30pm

The Role As a Senior Practice Assistant, you will provide comprehensive practice and PA support to allocated fee earners, while remaining flexible to assist across the wider Employment team. You will act as a trusted support professional, anticipating needs, managing priorities and contributing positively to team performance.

Key Responsibilities Organisational & Practice Support Proactive diary management with forward planning based on fee earner workloads

Monitoring key dates, deadlines and matter-related activities

Arranging meetings (including online and hybrid), travel and itineraries

Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of fee earners’ matters

Processing applications, forms, searches and internal procedures with minimal supervision

Conducting basic research and preparing materials for client meetings

Continuously improving PA support processes and systems

Client Relationship & Business Development Acting as a first point of contact for fee earners

Delivering a consistently high level of client service

Supporting business development meetings and events (including online technical support)

Assisting with BD materials in collaboration with the BD team

Using Rio to record BD activity, set reminders and support follow-ups

Developing an understanding of client needs and departmental work to support new enquiries

Document Production Producing high-quality documents at speed, in line with house style

Creating documents using firm templates and contact data from Rio

Proofreading all documents for accuracy, grammar and clarity

Drafting correspondence on behalf of fee earners where appropriate

Supporting ebundle preparation

Acting as a role model in document production standards and mentoring others

Working with IT to test and improve templates and precedents

IT & Systems Super-user level proficiency in:

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Aderant, Rio, Intapp and Diktamen

Troubleshooting IT issues and liaising with IT when required

Supporting system development and testing initiatives

File & Risk Management Maintaining accurate and well-organised electronic files

Ensuring compliance with e-filing and department protocols

Managing file closures, archiving and off-site storage records

Supporting AML, conflict checks and client onboarding processes

Drafting client care letters and preparing bills and narratives

Managing billing cycles, WIP, time recording and unpaid bill follow-up

Monitoring finance-related KPIs

Skills & Experience Essential

Previous secretarial / practice assistant experience within a law firm

GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics

Strong organisational and prioritisation skills

Excellent communication and attention to detail

Confident working under pressure and managing competing demands

Proactive, flexible and reliable team player

Desirable

Experience supporting an Employment team