Crime Legal Assistant - Prison Law

Hodge Jones & Allen LLP are looking to recruit a full-time Legal Assistant to join our busy Prison Law team, within our Crime department.

This role will be office based, across our Wandsworth and Euston sites.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties will vary in importance and priority, depending on circumstances and the needs of the business at any particular time, but will include the following key responsibilities:

• Receiving incoming new enquiry calls from those seeking HJA’s legal services in the practice area of Prison Law.
• Receiving a high volume of incoming calls from current clients, updating them on their case, advising them on the parole process and informing them of next steps.
• Making outgoing calls to the family members and partners of clients, as appropriate.
• Completing accurate written attendance notes of calls and ensuring they are logged on the clients’ electronic file using the appropriate IT systems.
• Writing and sending letters to clients, to provide updates on their cases.
• Handling incoming post at the Wandsworth office.
• Opening files.
• Scheduling appointments and managing the team diary.
• Regularly liaising with the parole board, caseworkers and the prison service.
• Overseeing all administrative functions for the team.
• Liaising with and taking instructions from fee earners.
• Any other duties as necessary.

Requirements

• Previous administrative experience in a legal role.
• Experience call handling in a professional environment.
• Experience liaising with legal clients.
• Relevant legal qualifications, such as LLB, LLM, LPC, SQE etc.
• Ability to handle a high volume of incoming client calls and interact with a diverse clientele, in a sensitive and professional manner.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to use own initiative to support the team.

Benefits

We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, work–life balance and professional development, including:

• Generous annual leave (22–27 days depending on role), plus Christmas shutdown and additional birthday leave
• Extra paid leave for volunteering, moving house and study (up to 5 days)
• Long service recognition leave at 10, 15 and 20 years
• Pension scheme (3% employer contribution, 5% employee, with salary sacrifice option)
• Life assurance (2x salary) and Group Income Protection (up to state pension age)
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay (subject to qualifying service)
• Wellbeing support, including Mental Health Champions, First Aiders and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan (post-probation)
• Employee referral bonus scheme
• Discounted legal services and access to an extensive Employee Benefits Portal (gym membership, health plans, private medical insurance, dental, cinema and retail discounts)
• Eye care contributions
• Complimentary office fruit deliveries twice weekly
• On-site social space with pool table and subsidised bar