Legal Support Secretary

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 an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

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 Dubai office. This role will be supporting a Partner that is a member of our Executive Leadership Group (ELG) along with lawyers from our Finance and Corporate practices. 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 on compliances.
• Matter Management: Coordinate matter set up in liaison with Partner/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 & 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.

Find out more about our inclusive culture here