Legal Secretary, Intellectual Property

**About Herbert Smith Freehills**

As one of the world’s leading law firms, we advise many of the largest and most ambitious organisations across all major regions of the globe. With over 5,000 people, including 3,100 lawyers and over 2,000 business services professionals, operating from our global network of offices across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and North America, Herbert Smith Freehills is at the heart of the new global business landscape providing premium quality, full-service legal advice.

We recognise that the success of our business and our clients relies on the skills, knowledge and ideas of all our people. Our environment is one in which high performance is expected, in return, we will provide you with rewards and opportunities tailored to your personal and professional goals.

**The Opportunity**

Our intellectual property team are globally recognised as market leaders, have acted on some of the most complex disputes and transactions.

They assist with the world’s foremost companies unlock the value of their IP and are looking for an experienced Legal Assistant to join them in Melbourne.

As Legal Secretary, you will play a pivotal role supporting Emma Iles, Partner and Helen Cousins, Senior Associate. Your day will involve:

- Delivering high quality, accurate work whilst managing deadlines, responding to changing and competing priorities.
- Managing monthly billing processes including creation of pre-bills, editing, finalising and posting.
- Managing Partners' internal and external appointments including diary management.
- Organising national and international travel including organising visas where required
- Assisting the wider IP team with any ad-hoc administrative tasks.

**Skills & experience**:
You will be confident in decision making on behalf of senior stakeholders, have strong communication skills, and proven experience in assisting with large scale events.

To be successful in this role you will also have:

- At least 2 years' Legal Assistant (Legal Secretary) experience.
- Previous experience with end-to-end billing.
- Impeccable attention to detail.
- Previous experience in extensive calendar management.
- A sound understanding of Microsoft Office Suite.
- Proven ability to uphold a high level of confidentiality.
- Adaptability and think on your feet in a fast-paced environment with changing deadlines.
- Ability to anticipate Partner requirements to reduce administrative time.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders.

**What we offer**:
We will provide opportunities to learn on the job as well as a mix of learning opportunities tailored to you. Daily experiences, supportive challenges, team collaboration, mentors, and structured learning opportunities help you to expand your knowledge and reach your goals.

We value your wellbeing, both at home and work and we place a strong emphasis on mental health. If you need support, you'll have it and we'll empower you to harness your personal strengths, navigate uncertainty, embrace opportunities, and effectively manage things within your control.

**Applications**:
This vacancy is being managed directly by the Herbert Smith Freehills Recruitment team. Should we need assistance we will contact our preferred agencies.
- Office closure: Please be advised that our offices will be closed from Tuesday, 24 December 2024, and will reopen on Monday, 6 January 2025._

**Team**

Disputes

**Working Pattern**

Full time

**Location**

Melbourne

**Contract type**

Permanent Contract

**Diversity & Inclusion**

At Herbert Smith Freehills you will be part of a diverse, innovative culture where high performance, client focus and highly engaged people are our differentiator. People at our firm come from a range of backgrounds and bring a wide variety of experiences and perspectives to their work with us. We strive to ensure that our inclusive environment means you feel valued and able to perform at your best by being your authentic self at work. We know that our future success not only depends on being innovative and progressive in the changing legal market but, most importantly, on our people feeling highly engaged in meaningful work.

We understand that you have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to create a working environment based on mutual trust and respect, in which you can perform at your best whilst maintaining sustainable balance across your life.