Legal Secretary
DLA Piper Middle East LLP
Total des années d'expérience :15 years, 7 Mois
Achievements:
• Awarded the “Be Bold” values awards for the Middle East & Africa Offices in June 2022.
• Implemented a tracking system on Excel spreadsheet to coordinate and monitor all the translations requests for our Middle East Offices.
• Implemented a tracking system to track the CLPD requirements for my team to help them achieving their training requirements goal on time.
Key Responsibilities:
• Responsible for providing personalized and timely support to the head of the Onshore Litigation Team. Responsibilities include managing calendars, making travel arrangements and preparing expense reports as well as performing a variety of administrative tasks and support such as responding to and resolving client queries.
• Assist Fee Earner allocation with billing including preparation of invoices on 3E previously and SNAP currently and liaise extensively with the Finance department, provide reports, draft narratives and create invoice breakdowns as well as accounts receivable assistance.
• Provide legal support to a one of the most fast growing diverse team that consists of: 1 Partner (Head of Onshore Litigation), 1 Legal Director, 4 Senior Associates, 9 Associates, 1 Legal Manager and 3 Paralegals.
• Review and implement new ways of work and best practice.
• Support the New Client Intake process which includes running of conflicts check, obtaining KYC documentation in compliance with AML policy and procedures, opening matters and Engagement Letter preparation.
• Manage continuing legal education (CLPD) program for my team.
• Maintain basic marketing information and, where necessary, liaise with the business development team with regards to marketing tasks such as amending and creating Bios and CVs for my team as well as the legal counsel office, sending corporate gifts on different occasion and organizing clients’ events.
• Organize regular team meetings and team social events.
• Work as the point of contact between finance and legal on billings and budgeting matters such as keeping a track of all disbursements receipts related to UAE Courts & third party expenses and ensure it is saved on the system for the smooth running of the billing cycle.
Achievements:
• Consistently achieved “Exceeded Expectations” at annual performance appraisals.
• Implemented a tracking system on Excel spreadsheet to monitor the completeness of different stages of the banking transaction documents and signatures.
• Developed and implemented the storage and archiving system in the office in accordance with the Records Management Policy.
• Volunteered in many Citizenship and community development activities such as Al Marmoom Initiative (horseback riding lessons for people of determination) and Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Initiative.
Key Responsibilities:
• Managing of the fee earners’ diaries, making appointments, arranging meeting rooms and organizing travel arrangements and expense claims to ensure all work activities are scheduled effectively.
• Carrying out client registration (KYC) and matters opening with file numbering and updates when necessary.
• Assisted Partners with the billing process and production of bills, in addition to ensuring that their time is recorded on Carpe Diem.
• Arranging complicated personal and business travel arrangements effectively and efficiently based on understanding fee earners’ preferences, anticipating additional requirements (accommodation, currency, returns, transfers) and planning in contingency.
• Created vouchers and coordinating with the accounting team and keeping records of disbursements and ledgers with the use of 3E System.
• Produced numerous bundles for Court Hearings as well as liaised with Clerks.
• Translated and amended different legal documents from English to Arabic and Arabic to English.
• Communicated with Government Departments and Notary Public to assist on different matters.
• Liaised with fee earners and the MBD as required on the production of pitches, client presentation and maintaining up-to-date CVs for fee earners.
• Assisted Partners and fee earners with basic technical queries allowing them to make best use of available IT and BD resources. Ensured own knowledge of technical packages is up to date.
• Created presentations and flow charts for internal trainings and Business development.
• Typed letters, correspondence and legal documentation (often involving confidential material). Proofreader all work to ensure that completed documents are delivered accurately and to an appropriately high standard.
Achievements:
• Awarded in recognition of exemplary service as part of Employee Recognition Rewards 2010.
Key Responsibilities:
• Produced and reviewed legal documents from dictation or written notes and ensured they were sufficient for court acceptance.
• Prepared and assembled materials, documents, and exhibits for meetings, court appearances and hearings as liaised with Clerks.
• Translated the Courts hearings notifications from Arabic to English and updated the same to clients.
• Reviewed and amended invoices with the respective Partner/Associates and dispatched it to the client, also followed up with the client for their outstanding payments.
• Drafted email to clients on behalf of Partners and Fee Earners.
• Scheduled and arranged meetings, conferences and notified related parties.
Assisted Partners and Fee Earners with their time sheet and billing updates