Rachelle Hayes

Executive Assistant to Senior Partner, Legal Secretary, Grade C Fee Earner - Fraud & Serious Crime Department
Audio typing/track changing, copy typing & providing support to several fee earners throughout the department (7 in total) with particular support to the senior partner (Grade A) and a senior solicitor (Grade B). Producing my own letters/file notes, filing, frequent client contact, meetings with client, billing files which are awarded costs from central funds, opening files, conflict checks/keeping on top of ledgers/ closing files/archiving, creating final bills for completed files from the ledger, completing forms i.e. prior authorities, understanding of CDS forms and legal aid system, office diary management, I have a quick turnover of work i.e. court notes & letters to client as there are often very short court adjournments, liaising with diverse professionals. I have the ability to work as a member of a team and am proactively supportive of other departments during busy periods. I occasionally cover front of house where needed. I am always willing to work outside usual office hours where the nature of the work so demands and I take on different roles throughout the firm where necessary.
PA to the senior partner (caseload of mainly white collar crimes)- dealing directly with extremely high profile clients & understanding their confidentiality issues, diary & email management, arranging regular diary events, creating agendas and taking minutes of meetings, I have knowledge of money laundering procedures. I frequently have to change priorities and manage multiple tasks successfully when working under pressure, whilst maintaining high quality.
Working on files in the areas of serious crime and complex fraud; VHCC cases, FSA investigations, police prosecutions, prosecutions by HM Revenue & Customs, Trading Standards prosecutions and liaising with contract managers of VHCC cases.

• Organisational, planning skills, multiple tasking, communication skills
• Information gathering and information monitoring skills
• Problem analysis and problem solving skills
• Judgment and decision-making ability, delivering results
• Use of initiative
• Strict client confidentiality issues
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Building relationships with diverse professionals
• Teamwork
• Flexibility
• Audio typing/track changing, copy typing
• A fast turnover of work / working on demand and under pressure
• Money laundering procedures
• Coming from a Ukrainian family, I understand conversational Ukrainian and Polish. I also am improving my Spanish speaking skills.
Systems used
• Experienced user of Microsoft Office applications
• Advanced knowledge of ‘bespoke’ applications: Practice Management, SOS, Big hand Digital Dictation, Visual files
• Typing speed of 85 wpm (www.typingtest.com)

January 2004 to May 2005
Personal Assistant, Corporate Legal Secretary, Conveyance Legal Secretary Criminal Legal Secretary & Receptionist

My secretarial work in areas of Commercial Litigation, Conveyancing, Crime, Personal Injury and Wills / Probate have improved my audio typing skills and expertise in each department. My role also involved: -
Carrying out searches, such as HMLR and local searches, completing AP1 and DS1 forms, ordering OCE’s and billing files has taught me the need for strict accuracy and attention to detail. In assisting in the preparation of client care letters and invoices, I have gained a wider understanding of the legal process.
As a criminal legal secretary I undertook everyday tasks for both the Crown and Magistrates Court departments. I often attended Bolton Crown Court to assist Counsel where I was first port of call for clients and I liaised between clients, barristers & Court staff. This also advanced my knowledge of the Criminal Court system procedures.
As a Personal Assistant I was primarily expected to discuss, and liaise with clients and professionals in other firms, expanding my excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Carrying out legal research, such as licensing procedures, I have developed analytical skills.
My role also involved office administration skills such as answering front of house telephone calls and greeting clients, which expanded my client handling skills whilst gaining the ability to deal with people tactfully yet firmly. I was required to order and systemise all office equipment, stationary and post, testing my organisational skills. Having care and conduct of the office diary further expanded my organisational skills and ability to liaise with colleagues and clients. I handled received monies, in the form of cheque, bankers draft and cash. I have brought in new cases to the firm and continue to do so to date.