Description:
Why Baker McKenzie?
At Baker McKenzie not only do we pride ourselves on leading pay and a great culture, joining a leading Global Law firm provides unique development opportunities to grow in a highly supportive working environment throughout all stages of your life. We know our people value flexibility around when and where they work. We are committed to offering a more adaptable way to work, and we call this bAgile. As a highly valued employee we will also provide you with an extensive range of wellbeing, recognition & benefits offerings.
For more information on our benefits click here.
The Role
This role will centre on delivering timely, efficient and high quality administrative, secretarial and practice group specific services to one or two Partners and a number of Associates in the Disputes Resolution practice group.
Duties will include: drafting/preparation of correspondence, formatting of documentation, expense and billing management, financial reporting, diary management, filing, travel bookings and general administration duties.
Responsibilities
Key Duties of the role include but not limited to:
- Managing monthly billing processes and specific client invoicing requirements, including drafting and circulating invoices, distributing invoices to clients and necessary weekly, monthly and quarterly reporting responsibilities for key clients
- Answering the phone - appropriately screening calls, resolving simple queries wherever possible, taking and relaying messages promptly, and, if necessary, redirecting queries
- Creating and amending typed documents such as letters, emails, memos, contracts, agreements, presentations and pitch documents, using version control and track changes
- Supporting the client matter intake process
- Processing expense claims and cheque requisitions
- Undertaking conflict searches
- Time entry - production of narratives, creation of glossaries, etc.
- Screening and organising correspondence (with voicemail, email, and regular postal mail), in authors’ absence and as per requests
- Supporting in setting up team meetings and events and managing expenses
- Working directly with clients, developing and maintaining relationships, and assisting with business development activities
- Preparing Briefs to Counsel, Court books and other administrative tasks that relate to litigation matters.
- Organising couriers, conferences and functions, travel and accommodation, internal and external meetings (including room, car spaces, catering, invitations etc) for authors
- Assisting with the organising and conduct of client events, meetings and social functions for the Practice Group
- Managing authors' calendars and schedules and keeping informed about authors' whereabouts at all time
- Assisting in preparing and distributing relevant documentation to authors prior to critical dates (e.g. meetings, court proceedings, settlements etc.)
- Identifying, opening, generating, maintaining, labelling, updating and closing files, according to task, author and the Firm’s requirements
- Managing various ongoing projects as required
What we're looking for
- Previous experience in a similar role, ideally in a law firm or professional services environment supporting partners with substantial practices and multiple fee earners;
- Litigation and court forms experience (desirable);
- Experience with monthly billing process;
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail;
- A minimum typing speed of 50 wpm (90% accuracy rate);
- Excellent computer literacy in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook email;
- Excellent customer service and client relationship skills;
- iManage and Chrome River experience preferred but not required;
- Certificate IV in Business Administration or equivalent is desirable;
Practice Group Overview
Baker McKenzie's Dispute Resolution Group is one of the Australian office's largest practice groups and has the depth of experience and accomplishment to advise and represent clients in all matters associated with complex commercial disputes.
Known for our practical, commercial advice and problem solving, as well as our cross-border capability, we have the privilege of being instructed by major national and international organisations and leading insolvency practitioners in large-scale, complex restructuring and insolvency assignments, across a range of industries and disciplines.
Thanks to our collaborative approach, we can help our clients to remain compliant, innovative and profitable in what remains a quickly evolving industry.
About Baker McKenzie
Baker McKenzie helps clients overcome the challenges of competing in the global economy. We solve complex legal problems across borders and practice areas. Our unique culture, developed over 65 years, enables our people to understand local markets and navigate multiple jurisdictions, working together as trusted colleagues and friends to instill confidence in our clients. This is an exciting time to join us as we invest in and further develop our organisation, providing rewarding and challenging career opportunities.
Like no other law firm, we were born global. Our Australian practice was established in Sydney in 1964, in Melbourne in 1982 and in Brisbane in 2014. Our lawyers work seamlessly with our global colleagues, collectively providing a capacity of more than 5,600 locally qualified lawyers and 6,000 professional staff in 78 locations across 46 countries.
Baker McKenzie Australia can offer you access to complex, market leading matters working with some of the world's best legal minds–people who know the law and who understand business. We have an unrivalled ability to provide training and secondment opportunities across our global network. Locally, we have an inclusive culture of learning, coaching and opportunity where you will work in small teams on matters that often cross borders. We value people who think ahead and get noticed.
Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
Baker McKenzie is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive culture for all its employees, with equal opportunity for all to progress and have a meaningful career with our Firm. Our mission is to foster an environment where individuals of every ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, disability, carer status and working style may succeed professionally and fully contribute to the goals of the Firm. Our bAgile program encourages a range of flexible work opportunities for all. We invite you to let us know of any reasonable adjustments you require to equitably participate in the recruitment process or in performing the requirements of this role.