Entering the field of administration at a junior level and progressing to senior administration roles, I have focussed on thoroughness and accuracy at all times. I enjoy being able to co-ordinate tasks so that maximum output is achieved in the most time sensitive manner. I take pride in doing my tasks well and I enjoy seeing that, in turn, my client’s professional life is less stressful and chaotic. Ultimately, it is wonderful to see the client enjoying more time to focus on their business and the goals that they achieve after my inclusion to their team.I have enjoyed working across many fields since becoming a Virtual Assistant. The variety in my day is unparalleled to my previous roles and I have expanded my administrative skill set far beyond what I would have achieved having not taken this path.

During my time at DLA Piper I was present for many changes within the firm and partnership, when I first started at the company it was Phillips Fox! These changes resulted in my working within various groups which I found kept my time with the firm interesting and extended my knowledge into legal areas such as civil and insurance litigation, corporate law and information technology/intellectual property. I enjoyed working in the fast paced environment and I was considered a valued member of every team. Many of my daily tasks included transcription, document production and editing of complex Word and PowerPoint documents, diary management, compiling seminar material, opening new matters and clearing conflicts, co-ordinating with other groups on large matters, billing, time entry, producing matter/partner reports and day to day accounting requirements, filing, taking calls and liaising with various internal departments to achieve outcomes for problematic internal issues.

I travelled to the UK in 2004 where I gained much experience through working with small traditional firms however I equally felt challenged at large UK-based US firms such as Chadborne and Parke where large transactional contracts with international parties meant equally long hours and a high stress environment. It was thrilling to be an integral part of those teams when the deal was finally done.

I worked with a Partner at McCabe Terrill who subsequently joined the partnership of A R Conolly & Co. She asked me to follow and I agreed. The practice focused on insurance litigation including professional indemnity, public and property liability. My daily activities included document production, court diary keeping, matter management and preparation towards hearing, preparing briefs for counsel, drafting court documents, liaising with counsel staff, medical practitioners and the client, billing, time entry, producing matter and partner reports and day to day accounting requirements, filing, fielding calls and taking messages. I found I was given a great deal of responsibility in this role, which I enjoyed.

This was my first role as a legal administrative assistant and I started with a junior role assisting the insurance litigation group. I was promoted to assisting a busy Senior Associate and his team. My daily activities initially included photocopying and filing but eventuated to matter management, preparing matters for hearing, preparing briefs for counsel, drafting court documents, liaising with counsel staff and medical practitioners, billing, time entry, filing and fielding calls.