Vacancies

Miles & Partners are a firm of solicitors located in London E1, close to Liverpool Street Station and the City. We are ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers and have been listed in The Times Top 200 Law Firms for 3 years running.

We are always on the lookout for new talent and when we are looking to fill a particular role we will advertise here as well as the appropriate journals. Scroll down to see any current vacancies.

Working at Miles & Partners provides an excellent first step on the legal career ladder.  We have a track record of training solicitors, many of whom still practice with us today.  We are proud of our record for producing first rate lawyers including many BTC students who have gone on to practice at the Bar after working with us.  Being a legal assistant at Miles & Partners not only gives you professional experience of working in a busy high profile solicitor’s practice but also exposes you to clients and other legal professionals and possible pathways to future career opportunities.

If you are interested in working at Miles & Partners please email Phil Walsh on pw@milesandpartners.com.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community – we recruit on merit, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Legal Cashier

We are looking for a Legal Cashier with 5 years’ experience to join our Accounts Team and carry out our bookkeeping functions, including recording day to day financial transactions and ensuring compliance with and excellent knowledge of the SRA Accounts Rules. Please see below for a full job description.

Applicants should send a C.V. and covering letter to phil.walsh@milesandpartners.com by the 28th March 2023.

Salary

£32k -£37K (depending on experience)

Job type

Full-time, Permanent

Qualifications

Full ILFM Diploma (D1 &D2) or equivalent

Job Purpose

The Legal Cashier is responsible for supporting all bookkeeping related activities within the firm and supporting finance and management partners and the COFA in ensuring the smooth running of all accounts functions within the firm.

To work as a key member of the Accounts team under the supervision and guidance of the COFA and Finance Manager.

Description of Duties

• Processing all transactions with accuracy in accordance with the Firm’s policies and SRA Solicitors Accounts Rules.
• Posting client and office account transactions in accordance with the Firm’s policies.
• Operating and maintaining client and office accounts in accordance with the Firm’s systems and Solicitors Accounts.
• Posting payments received from the Legal Aid Agency and clients.
• Posting payments made in relation to disbursements, overheads and staff expenses.
• Posting transfers between accounts.
• Completing reconciliations of all bank accounts to comply with the SRA Regulations and preparing supporting documentation for inspection by and approval of the firm’s COFA.
• Reconciling & sealing the Firm’s accounts each month in accordance with the SRA Solicitors Accounts Rules.
• Administering and reconciling petty cash.
• Assisting with payments of disbursements, payments of overheads and staff expenses.
• Assisting with the reconciliation of statements from suppliers and resolving any queries arising.
• Assisting with monthly reconciliation of the Firm’s credit card statements.
• Assisting fee earners and the billing team with queries including checking and reconciling ledgers for file closing, including identifying and dealing with any residual balances.
• Completing the VAT Return in readiness for submission to HMRC.
• Checking for errors and reporting any SARs breaches to the firm’s COFA & assisting in maintaining Breach records.
• Maintaining confidentiality at all times and performing all duties in compliance with the SRA conduct rules and as documented in the Quality Manual.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Skills

• Accuracy and strong attention to detail.
• Strong IT Skills and working knowledge of Excel.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Be able to prioritise workload, meet deadlines and stay organised.
• Proactive in resolving queries.
• Strong mathematical ability, literacy, and analytical skills.
• The ability to work within a team as well as well as independently.
• Honesty, tolerance, common sense.

Knowledge

• Strong working knowledge of Double Entry Bookkeeping.
• Strong knowledge of the Solicitor Accounts Rules.
• An understanding of VAT regulations and processes.
• Working knowledge of Legal Aid and CCMS Portal (desirable).

Experience

• Minimum 5 years legal cashiering.
• Working with a Case Management System.
• Experience of using online business banking systems .
• Experience of the Annual SARs Audit.

HR Administrator

We are looking for an HR Administrator to carry out our day-to-day HR Functions and support all HR-related activities within the firm. The successful applicant will be a key member of a collegiate and progressive team under the supervision and guidance of the Practice Manager and HR Partners.

Applicants should send a C.V. and covering letter to phil.walsh@milesandpartners.com by the 28th March 2023.

Salary

Up to £28,000 a year (pro rata)

Job type

Part time (3 days) initially with scope for expansion of role.

Qualifications

Hold a relevant HR qualification or be educated to degree standard.

Job Purpose

The HR Administrator is responsible for supporting all HR-related activities within the organisation and supporting HR Partners in ensuring the smooth running of all HR functions within the firm.

To work as a key member of the support team under the supervision and guidance of the practice manager and HR Partners.

Description of Duties

• To organize staff files, maintain employees’ records, update documents databases etc. and ensure all employee data is held in line with GDPR requirements.
• Being responsible for HR Administration relating to the full employee lifecycle including but not limited to onboarding, offboarding, employee changes, maintaining employee records and the organisational chart, including organising contracts, inductions and diarising and managing probation periods and procedures.  Conveying feedback from exit interviews to partners.
• Administer recruitment process, place advertisements, and sift applications received organise and support interviews, including anonymising and providing CV’s to HR Partners, arranging interviews and maintaining recruitment systems to include setting up interviews and conveying feedback following interviews. Obtaining references for successful candidates.
• Organising the delivery of induction training to support recruits into the firm.
• Maintain training documentation including organisation of staff training with the training partner and practice manager, including the setting up of staff training records each year.
• Supporting the HR Partner with absence management & annual holiday management, record keeping, and maintaining and updating staff holiday sheets.
• Manage sick leaves, and daily queries under the guidance of the practice manager and maintaining and updating all sick records.
• Arranging staff annual appraisals which are carried out by partners and team leaders. Obtaining feedback from supervisors and team leaders and to the appraiser in time for the appraisal process.
• Respond to queries related to discipline, grievance, absence, maternity, paternity, parental compassionate leave, and flexible working.
• Assist in managing employee’s grievances and implementing disciplinary procedures.
• Assisting Finance Manager with monthly payroll changes and submitting all payroll related information to our external payroll provider.
• Supporting the HR Partner with administration of annual processes including pay reviews and performance reviews.
• Assisting with health and safety requirements as necessary.
• Maintaining confidentiality at all times and performing all duties in line with the SRA conduct rules as documented in the Quality Manual.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Skills

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, Teams.
• Organisational skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Able to work within a team and on your own initiative, including managing your workload efficiently, competently and cost-effectively.
• An ability to think clearly, articulate your views, and to identify problems and think of practical solutions.
• Able to work under pressure and to respond to crises.
• Honesty, tolerance, common sense.

Knowledge

• Law firm operation.
• Preferably some degree of HR legal knowledge.
• An awareness of employment law issues.
• Exceptional level of spoken and written English.

Experience

• 2 years’ relevant HR experience.
• A willingness to work flexibly during the working week as and when required.

Customer Support Assistant

We are looking for a Customer Support Assistant to answer new matter calls from potential new clients and either refer them to the appropriate department where they can receive initial advice and assistance from Legal Assistants or Solicitors, or refer them to other solicitors where we do not cover that area of law. The role requires you to provide a professional and friendly initial contact to new clients and callers and to provide an efficient service to clients in answering queries and ensure they speak to the appropriate person to offer them legal help.  To support clients and legal staff in the process of onboarding new clients and ensuring they have a continuous and smooth process from first contact to being taken on as a client of the firm.  The successful candidate will be someone who enjoys working in a team and is able to have empathy for, and understanding of, the problems faced by others  and is able to communicate clearly and confidently on the telephone. This is an excellent entry level post for someone seeking to gain professional experience working in a busy legal environment.

Applicants should send a C.V. and covering letter to phil.walsh@milesandpartners.com by the 28th March 2023.

Salary

£23,850

Job type

Full time

Qualifications

3 A Levels, Grade D and above or equivalent

Job Purpose

The Customer Support Assistant will take new matter calls, take initial details from and liaise with new clients and ensure they are directed to the correct fee earner within the firm and to support the new client onboarding process.

To work as part of the support team under the supervision of the Practice Manager and where appropriately delegated deal with Customer Relations and Practice Administrative tasks as delegated under the supervision of the Practice Manager

Description of Duties

• Answer new matter calls from potential new clients and either refer them to the appropriate department where they can receive initial advice and assistance from Legal Assistants or Solicitors, or refer them to other solicitors where we do not cover that area of law.
• Act as a professional and friendly initial contact to new clients and callers.
• Provide an efficient service to clients in answering queries and ensure they speak to the appropriate person to offer them legal help.
• To support clients and legal staff in the process of onboarding new clients and ensuring they have a continuous and smooth process from first contact to being taken on as a client of the firm.
• Assisting and supporting clients and fee earners with the onboarding process and liaising with the Legal Team members as appropriate.
• When requested, to meet and greet new clients and visitors to the building in a warm and professional manner.
• Provide efficient and effective administrative assistance to the Practice Manager when requested and to report to the Practice manager on the progress of such tasks.
• Keep clear records as directed.
• Participate fully in any time recording system and to observe and apply fully any file management procedures as shall be in operation within the firm If required.
• Participate in supervision sessions in respect of your work as and when reasonably required.
• Liaise closely and appropriately with, and to be considerate to, other members of all departments with whom you will work closely.
• Attend and participate in meetings within the firm as and when reasonably required.
• Attend training as and when reasonably required.
• Work flexibly within core hours to ensure that you are available at times when you can be most effective in your role.
• Carry out such tasks commensurate with your job title as are reasonably requested from time to time by the Partners or the Practice Manager.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Skills

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong IT skills.
• An empathy for, and understanding of, the problems faced by our clients.
• Able to tactfully and succinctly gather sufficient information from potential new clients to assess whether their problem is one which we can assist with.
• Able to work within a team and on your own initiative, including managing your workload efficiently, competently and cost-effectively.
• An ability to think clearly, articulate your views, and to identify problems and think of practical solutions.
• Honesty, tolerance, common sense.

Knowledge

• Law firm operation (desirable).
• Preferably some degree of legal knowledge (desirable).
• Some understanding of the eligibility criteria for legal aid (desirable).

Experience

• Previous experience of working in a customer-facing role.
• An understanding of the necessity of making a good impression on all who people you have dealings with.
• A willingness to develop an interest and understanding of the different types of legal problems that we specialise in and can assist clients with.

Paralegal Legal Assistant

We are seeking a bright law graduate with a professional outlook to join our team as a Legal Assistant providing paralegal support in our busy Court of Protection Team.

Experience of working in a busy legal environment with Legal Aid and CCMS will be an advantage but is not essential. We are committed to agile working, so you need to be self-motivated and possess a willingness and ability to work independently whilst maintaining professional standards.  The successful applicants will of course also have a positive outlook, good communication skills, numeracy and IT skills, a willingness to learn and accept responsibility, enthusiasm, commitment, and the ability to work well in a team.

The post on offer has a wide range of duties ranging from some clerical work to liaising with the Legal Aid Agency, the courts, experts, counsel etc., attending interviews with experts to take notes, assisting in arrangements for conferences, preparation of court bundles and accompanying documentation, preparation of documents for Counsel and occasionally attending Court with Counsel. With appropriate experience and training we would expect you to progress to preparing statements and applications, attending clients and taking instructions, and legal research.

Please send C.V. and a covering letter to Phil Walsh at phil.walsh@milesandpartners.com by 4:00pm on the 30 March 2023.

Qualifications

LLB or equivalent 2.1

LPC (or equivalent)

Job Purpose

To provide support to a designated fee earner and where appropriately delegated deal with variety of legal matters under the supervision of a designated fee earner.

To contribute to the overall provision of legal services given by the firm, by conducting all matters as so assigned.  Ensuring that the professional standards of the firm are adhered to.

Description of Duties

• Assist the designated fee earner with casework administration.
• Maintain files and report back immediately to fee earner on any issue/complaint regarding professional conduct, client dissatisfaction, potential negligence potential or actual conflict of clients interests and cost implications for the firm.
• Attend court with counsel and take detailed record of Hearing, negotiations and attendance.
• Provide advocacy services where appropriate, eg District Judge of the day appointments.
• Conduct relevant research to cases.
• Liaise at all times with the supervising fee earner.
• Provide support to other fee earners as required.
• Administration of costs to include taxation / costing procedure and claiming payment from the Legal Aid Agency.
• Liaise with the Legal Aid Agency.
• Maintain professional standards of work and comply with external and internal franchising requirements where relevant, comply with internal policy and provide a service in accordance with the policy set out in the office manual.
• Be well presented and a good representative of the firm in outside dealings and court appearances.
• Follow all office and administrative procedures.
• Accurately record time spent on cases on the firm’s computerised time recording system.
• Attend departmental meetings and staff meetings.
• Facilitate teamwork.
• Read and action internal memos.
• Keep diaries up to date and accurate.
• When out of the office keep in contact with the office.
• Keep supervising fee earner and reception informed of daily movements.
• Be aware of changes to legislation.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Skills

• A high intellectual ability – including the ability to learn and to research.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work within a team and on your own initiative, including managing your workload efficiently, competently and cost-effectively.
• Common sense, including the ability to make decisions and to advise clients on the course of action which is considered to be in the client’s best interest.
• Confident, outgoing and shows an enthusiastic, positive and pro-active approach.
• Resilient and copes under pressure.
• Ability to speak in public and, when necessary, to be willing to undertake advocacy in Courts and Tribunals at interlocutory hearings.
• Strong IT skills.

Knowledge

• Law firm operation (desirable).
• Some degree of legal knowledge (desirable).
• Some understanding of the eligibility criteria for legal aid (desirable).

Experience

• Previous experience of legal work or working in a pressurised solicitors’ office.
• Previous experience working in a commercial environment where client care has been paramount.
• Been involved in a non-educational project which has necessitated long-term commitment.
• An interest in marketing and in developing the firm’s practice.