Requirements
The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of 60+ WPM typing speed with high accuracy and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Prior experience in professional services, ideally a law firm, is required. A-level or equivalent education is necessary, with additional certifications in legal studies or office administration being desirable. Exceptional written and verbal communication, strong self-management, prioritization, problem-solving, and teamwork skills are essential.
Description
Job description / Role
Job Type
Full Time
Job Location
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Nationality
Any Nationality
Salary
Not Specified
Gender
Not Specified
Arabic Fluency
Not Specified
Job Function
Administration & Secretarial
Company Industry
Legal Services
Company description
Who we are
We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm's global standards with in-depth local expertise.
Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That's why we're so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.
Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies which matter most to them.
You'll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they've reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that's possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you'll find across all of our teams.
Whichever area of the business you join, you'll become an integral part of an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.
Clifford Chance is recognized as one of the world's leading law firms, committed to helping clients achieve their goals by combining the highest global standards with deep local expertise. The firm offers unparalleled scale and depth of legal resources across the three key markets of the Americas, Asia, and Europe, and focuses on the core areas of commercial activity:
Capital markets
Corporate and M&A
Finance and banking
Real estate & construction
Litigation and dispute resolution
Our business professionals team
In addition to world-class legal careers, Clifford Chance provides exceptional opportunities within the support functions that drive and sustain its business operations. By joining our Business Professionals Group, you will play a vital role in innovating how we deliver services and in enabling the firm to operate as a dynamic, successful multinational business that never stands still. Business professionals are integral to the firm's day-to-day operations and are critical to its long-term success.
Job description
The role
The Legal Support Secretary position is designed to provide a first-class, professional support service to partners and lawyers in the Abu Dhabi office. This role is essential in ensuring seamless operations and maintaining the highest standards of client service. As an LSS, you will be a trusted partner to the legal team, contributing to the efficiency and success of the practice.
Key responsibilities
The support provided will be delivered as part of a collaborative team environment with shared responsibilities. The Legal Support Secretary (LSS) is expected to adapt and reprioritize tasks periodically to meet the evolving needs of their team. Reporting directly to the UAE Office & Legal Support Manager, the LSS plays a pivotal role in fostering a positive and professional working relationship with fee earners and the wider team on a daily basis. Outlined below are the core areas of the support service that an LSS is responsible for:
Core services
Calendar & meeting management: Coordinate and manage complex schedules, acting as the primary point of contact for fee earners. Ensure seamless communication and organization for both internal and external stakeholders.
Travel coordination: Arrange comprehensive travel plans, including flights, visas, and ground transportation, in close collaboration with local agents to guarantee smooth and efficient travel arrangements.
Time & expenses: Accurately handle time entry submissions and amendments, and process expense claims promptly to support fee earners' billing and compliance requirements.
Reception liaison: Organize and oversee meetings and video conferences, ensuring all logistical and technical details are managed to the highest standard.
Document support: Prepare and draft professional correspondence, manage printing and scanning tasks, and maintain accurate client contact information in Interaction.
Client & team support: Provide proactive assistance with client-related activities, support onboarding of new fee earners, support coverage during team absences, and occasionally assist with reception duties to maintain smooth office operations.
Practice support services
Risk & compliance: Carry out comprehensive conflict checks with team in London, coordinate matter setup processes, and ensure strict adherence to engagement letters and compliance requirements, following up on non-compliances.
Matter management: Coordinate matter setup in liaison with partner or fee earner to ensure minimum mandatory information has been provided, liaising with clients on behalf of matter team and coordinating client secondment setup with HR.
Administration: Scheduling meetings and calls, creating matter folders, managing document uploads and archiving, creating working parties lists, facilitating timely and accurate matter closure, assisting with originals when required and liaising with print room for bibles, bundles or bulk printing.
Document production: Supervise document processing tasks such as formatting, proofreading, and quality control, while liaising with global support team when additional support is required.
Business development: Provide support for client development initiatives by assisting with pitch amendments and ensuring fee earner CVs are current and professionally presented.
Finance: Update and maintain all system information for fee earners' clients, including working with the local billing team to generate monthly bills and running matter financial reports.
Key working relationships
Fee earners and their clients
UAE Office & Legal Support Manager
Local finance, business development, best delivery, and IT teams
Office services team (LSS and reception)
Global business support team (London)
Qualifications
Your experience
Typing speed: Minimum 60+ words per minute with high accuracy.
Technical proficiency: Advanced in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint; experience with legal software preferred.
Professional background: Prior experience in professional services, ideally within a law firm.
Education: A-level or equivalent; additional certification in legal studies or office administration desirable.
Communication: Exceptional written and verbal skills.
Organization: Strong self-management and ability to prioritize.
Problem-solving: Sound judgment and decision-making.
Teamwork: Collaborative and resilient under pressure.
Networking: Effective at building internal and external relationships.
Additional information
Equal opportunities
At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.
We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.
We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.
Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.
Apply Now