Jobs at Berry & Lamberts Solicitors

We are delighted to offer a training contract to aspiring solicitors looking to further their legal career. Some of our current Associates and Partners started out as a Berry & Lamberts’ Trainee Solicitor, including our Managing Partner, so we completely understand the importance of a good training contract.

Your first step towards a legal career is crucial so the training contract at Berry & Lamberts seeks to provide a broad understanding of the different legal practice areas, direct work experience within at least three legal departments and a broad commercial understanding of the business. Armed with this exposure and experience you will then be equipped to decide which legal area to specialise in. We will aim to create an experience which plays to your strengths and targets your personal and professional aspirations and development so that you progress your career in the direction you would like to go.

We want to give you early exposure to quality legal work and the encouragement to build client relationships. If you are hungry to learn, are collaborative, proactive and willing to use your legal knowledge and initiative, your efforts will be rewarded and you will find the work stimulating and satisfying.

Applicants:

We welcome applications from candidates who will demonstrate their commitment to developing outstanding technical legal skills and engaging in the firm’s culture of collaborating with clients and colleagues to help them achieve the results they seek. In return we offer a friendly and supportive environment where candidates have fantastic opportunities to develop and progress their career.‍

We look for:

• 2:1 degree in any subject
• First time pass in the LPC and, if appropriate, the GDL (or equivalent) with a preference towards those who pass with distinction or commendation
• Three A levels, grades A-C
• Well-rounded, professional individuals with strong interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Highly organised with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Pro-active and able to use own initiative
• Commercial and business awareness
• Self-motivated and hardworking
• Committed to self-development
• Able to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Committed to providing first class customer service
• Practical problem-solving skills
• Decisive people keen to make their mark
• Candidates who want a long career with us

Training Contract Start Date: September 2021
Locations: Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks & Paddock Wood
Number of training contracts available: One
Closing date for Training Contract Applications: 30 April 2021

If you are interested in applying for the position of Trainee Solicitor, please send a cover letter and CV to Mandy Kettle, Office Manager, Berry & Lamberts Solicitors, 11 Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1JA or email: traineerecruitment@berryandlamberts.co.uk

Please note: Paralegal vacancies are advertised separately.

We are a friendly, down-to-earth team and are seeking a Legal Secretary to join our busy family team.  

This role is initially office-based, but due to the current COVID pandemic there is a flexibility for remote working which is constantly reviewed.

Working within the family team for an Equity Partner and Associate Solicitor at our Sevenoaks office, the role provides day to day assistance to our fee earners and assisting the team with day to day tasks.

This is a broad and varied role, requiring outstanding organisational skills and attention to detail. Working as part of our administration team, you will provide efficient and effective general administrative support to the firm's solicitors and partners.

Typical duties will include:

• Digital dictation and copy typing
• Moving towards a paperless system – scanning and filing correctly on the system within the firms protocols
• Receiving and making calls to clients, other parties, Courts and Barristers
• Preparing documentation
• Opening files and ensuring that matter is dealt with in accordance with the Firm’s handbook and Departmental manual
• Ensuring that schedule and diary is up to date and accurate.
• working knowledge of files
• Keeping the files updated by filing current correspondence
• Booking couriers when necessary
• Photocopying ID documents and ensuring ID checks are completed
• Closing and archiving files
• Liaising with Costs Draftsman
• Shredding
• Paginating & copying Bundles
• Acting as a relief receptionist on a rota for lunch-time cover
  

To succeed in this role you must demonstrate the following attributes:

• Highly organised & professional
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Proactive approach
• Ability to multitask
• Ability to work in strictest confidence
• Proficient in the use of IT systems

At least one year’s prior law firm experience in a similar role is absolutely essential. Applications without prior law firm experience will regrettably not be considered.

Hours of work Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30 pm.

How to apply?

Please submit your CV for consideration to our Office Manager Mandy Kettle - recruitment@berryandlamberts.co.uk

No agencies are required for filling this role, please do not contact us.

Application deadline: 31 March 2021

Administrative Duties:

• Scheduling
• Carrying out requests from management as needed
• Answering emails and sorting post
• Answering phone calls and transferring them as necessary

COVID-19 precaution(s):

• Remote interview process
• Social distancing guidelines in place
• Virtual meetings
• Sanitisation, disinfection or cleaning procedures in place
  

We are a friendly, down-to-earth team and are seeking a Receptionist/Administrator to join our busy team.  

This role is office-based.

Working as our ‘front of house’, you'll be the first point of contact for all callers whilst also providing day to day assistance to our fee earners and assisting staff with day to day tasks.

This is a broad and varied role, requiring outstanding organisational skills and attention to detail. Working as part of our administration team, you will provide efficient and effective general administrative support to the firm's solicitors and partners.

Typical duties will include:

• Answering the telephones for three offices
• Assisting the Marketing Manager with collating information
• Meet and greet clients
• Ensuring reception area and meeting rooms remain tidy
• Assisting with printing and scanning tasks – ensuring information is scanned correctly on to our system
• Opening post and distributing appropriately
• Other ad hoc administrative tasks as and when required.
  

To succeed in this role you must demonstrate the following attributes:

• Highly organised & professional
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Proactive approach
• Ability to multitask
• Ability to work in strictest confidence
• Proficient in the use of IT systems

At least one year’s prior law firm experience in a similar role is absolutely essential. Applications without prior law firm experience will regrettably not be considered.

Hours of work Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30 pm.

How to apply?

Please submit your CV for consideration to our Office Manager Mandy Kettle - recruitment@berryandlamberts.co.uk

No agencies are required for filling this role, please do not contact us.

Application deadline: 20/04/2021

Administrative Duties:

• Scheduling
• Carrying out requests from management as required
• Answering emails and sorting post
• Answering phone calls and transferring them as necessary

COVID-19 precaution(s):

• Remote interview process
• Social distancing guidelines in place
• Virtual meetings
• Sanitisation, disinfection or cleaning procedures in place

From time to time, vacancies come up for permanent support staff across our various legal departments where we require the following skills and attributes:

• Proficient in using Word and Excel
• Able to learn new systems quickly
• Accurate digital audio and letter typing
• Excellent telephone manner and client liaison skills
• Filing, photocopying and opening/closing client files in a timely manner
• Ability to use initiative and work proactively
• Highly organised with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Capable of managing a busy workload and prioritising in a fast-paced environment but at the same time working accurately and with excellent attention to detail
• A team player who is also capable of being proactive and ‘getting on’ with it
• Committed to providing first-class customer service

If you are interested in support staff opportunities, please send a cover letter and CV to Mandy Kettle, Office Manager at Berry & Lamberts Solicitors, 11 Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1JA or email: mkettle@berryandlamberts.co.uk

No agencies please – you are great at what you do but we will get in touch if we need you.