Why Porter Dodson?

Porter Dodson is an award-winning Top 200 UK Law Firm, providing commercial and private legal services to individuals and businesses across Somerset, Devon and Dorset.

We're proud of a regional presence that gives clients the local connections and friendly in-person service they love. Being embedded in our local communities and market sectors gives our clients a superb service grounded in the real world.

What makes Porter Dodson a great place to work is our people and our culture. Our team are the lifeblood of the firm, and we are fully committed to ensuring our team are motivated, well cared for, and fulfilling their potential at work. Our people are our priority, which is why we have such excellent staff retention rates and how we have sustained a gold accreditation from Investors in People since 2016.

 

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Reception and Administration Assistant to join our Client Services Team in our new Exeter office. We are looking for someone who can provide a friendly and professional reception service to internal and external clients as well as providing key administrative support to the fee earners in the office. This rewarding role would suit someone with excellent interpersonal skills, a welcoming yet efficient style, a dynamic approach to work with the ability to multitask, where you will promote the professional image of the Firm through all interactions both in person and on the phone.

 

• Ensure clients receive a warm welcome, directing them appropriately and communicating their arrival promptly with the relevant fee earner.
• Ensure the reception area is always clean, tidy and free of hazards, including, stairs, corridors, and immediate external areas.
• Responsible for ensuring all incoming calls are answered promptly (within four rings) and redirected accurately.
• Communicate all messages (verbal and written) clearly, quickly, and accurately.
• Deal with all enquiries both in person and on the telephone in a polite and professional manner.
• Ensure the confidentiality and security of all data/information that is processed via Reception, being aware at all times of client confidentiality and data protection.
• Ensure daily post collections are received & scanned punctually & all out going post is franked ready for collection at the appropriate time.
• Bookmarking and paginating documents as necessary for fee earners in the office.
• Printing and accurately collating and binding correspondence and legal documents.
• Assisting team members with diary management and appointment booking.
• Obtaining property documentation from Land Registry website.
• Preparing legal document bundles for court cases.
• Take client’s ID information where required so the appropriate due diligence and conflict checks can be carried out.
• Direct all deliveries promptly to the appropriate member of staff.  
• Carry out day to day banking duties (where appropriate), cheque requests and invoice releasing.
• Effectively manage the receipt of monies from clients; carry out day to day cashiering duties for the office (where appropriate).
• Ensure the timely archiving of closed files and the storage/retrieval of the same (where appropriate).
• Maintain stationery, reviewing weekly and ordering appropriately.
• Always promote a professional image of the Firm and be knowledgeable about the services Porter Dodson offers.

 

About You

This role would best suit someone who is proactive and enthusiastic, with great interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with people at all levels. Strong organisational and administrative skills are essential, along with the ability to multi-task and convey clear and accurate information. More technical requirements include excellent IT skills including the use of Microsoft Office and Outlook. Ideally you will have demonstrable experience providing reception support in a law firm or professional services environment.

 

The Benefits
In addition to a competitive salary, you will also get:

• Flexible working
• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
• Extra day of holiday for your birthday
• Private healthcare
• Pension scheme(s)
• Life assurance
• Eye tests
• Flu jabs
• Corporate gym membership discounts
• Legal support
• Opportunities to get involved with charity fundraising, sports teams and office social events