Team PA within Fund Formation and Sponsor Solutions

We are recruiting a Team PA to join our Fund Formation & Sponsor Solutions group.

About Macfarlanes

Macfarlanes is a pre-eminent law firm that serves a global client base in private capital, private wealth, M&A and disputes. Personal connection, an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to excellence are at the heart of our firm. These values drive our ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.

We are big enough to undertake the most complex and demanding mandates yet small enough to know each other well and to be agile, adapting to the needs of our clients. We seek to strengthen the firm by recruiting talented people from all backgrounds who want to build long-lasting and impactful careers with us. Our culture is challenging and supportive, creating an environment where individuals can thrive.

What this means for you

Joining Macfarlanes means being part of a collaborative, approachable team who want you to succeed. You’ll be encouraged to get involved and recognised for your contribution.

We take your development seriously. Our learning and development programmes are second to none and are designed to help you strengthen your skills.

Above all, you’ll be part of a firm where we all work together as part of a cohesive and supportive team, value your efforts and help you to thrive.

The team

Our Fund Formation & Sponsor Solutions group consists of eight Partners, two Senior Counsel, 20 Associates, five Trainee Solicitors, one Senior Advisor, 15 Paralegals and one Senior Knowledge Lawyer. The practice is supported by a team of PAs which consists of one Senior Team PA, one Team PA and two Junior Team PAs.

The role

The Team PA is an integral part of the practice. They need to be adaptable, dynamic, and confident in their ability to support change, influence and build relationships.

The Team PA will provide an efficient, client focused, professional legal support service to the partners and fee earners within the practice:

• Provide a high level of tailored support to partners and fee earners and act as the first point of contact;
• Add value by taking a proactive approach to tasks and anticipating potential problems before they arise;
• Act as a role model to junior members of the team by sharing knowledge and demonstrating best practice;
• Proactively manage a varied workload, with the ability to prioritise and manage partner/fee earner expectations in relation to deadlines and status of tasks;
• Work from the team hub;
• Complex diary and inbox management for partners, and where necessary send holding responses and proactively resolve potential clashes when scheduling meetings;
• Organise internal and external meetings, effectively ensuring rooms and conference facilities are booked, liaising with attendees and ensuring that any required catering and technical equipment is in place, preparation of agendas and collating meetings papers in a timely manner;
• Build an understanding of the fee earners work pressures and assist them to meet client demands and develop a knowledge of key clients;
• Arrange complex travel bookings, including producing itineraries, obtaining visas, flights, taxis, accommodation and rental cars etc;
• Understand and lead the end-to-end billing process including generating accurate billing reports, draft bills, disbursements, amending narratives and raising credit notes in a timely manner;
• Proactively assist the partners/fee-earners with the collections process including drafting and sending emails to clients for outstanding invoices;
• Manage accounts payable (invoices), expenses and disbursements;
• Understand the client matter opening process and using our file management system to run conflict searches, open matters, liaising with the risk team on client due diligence requirements, ensuring all relevant documents are filed electronically, file closure and archiving;
• Assist on ad-hoc projects as and when required, for example managing bundles, organising and assisting with client functions, seminars etc;
• Manage group and fee earner contacts and BD activities to ensure they are up to date through our CRM InterAction;
• Utilise document production and ensuring that all typing, document formatting and redaction work is sent with clear instructions and deadlines; and
• Proactively build relationships across the firm and assist across practice groups when required.