Organisation: Legal Aid Queensland
Job Title: Litigation Support
Word Limit: Three Pages Maximum
Location:
You have demonstrated legal administrative experience and are able to work independently
Possessing strong legal administrative experience, my employment as a Legal Enforcement Officer at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), I manage files independently and collaboratively on a daily basis. Applying my excellent clerical attributes, I manage files by opening, closing and archiving files, transcribing interviews, filing documents together with data entry. When presented with a file to work on independently I employ my analysis skills to determine the objectives for the file. Conducting research, contacting the client, and making file notes are some of the duties I eagerly undertake. During my employment at ASIC I was involved in a lengthy commercial litigation process which provided me with an exceptional experience in understanding the court process. The drafting of a variety of documents for court, such as affidavits and briefs, was one of my responsibilities. Weekly tasks were allocated to me by my supervisors and I was required to keep them well informed of my progress and seek advice on complex issues.
I was exposed to sensitive issues at both Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House (QPILCH) and ASIC and maintaining confidentiality and protecting the privacy of personal client information was of paramount importance. I am exceptionally adept at assisting lawyers to prioritise daily tasks, maintain appointments and calendars, including scheduling appointments with clients, barristers, experts and other appropriate stakeholders. Utilising my initiative, I am able to work autonomously and competently. As a member of the Referrals Team at QPILCH I managed company case files and maintained accurate records of all communication together with any action that was undertaken. Maintenance of an organised filing system, that was accessible to colleagues in the office, was a further task I successfully accomplished. A meticulous system I devised and introduced at QPILCH, entailed a method to organise file notes and ledger entries enabling the maintenance of records in detail and allowed easy access for staff in the office seeking to perform further work on those files.
Acting as the first point of contact, managing incoming calls by screening, providing legal information, referral advice and assisting clients to prepare applications and legal documents are duties I proficiently provided whilst at QPILCH. Organising, relationship building and conflict resolution are abilities that I am adept at and enjoy applying to my work to ensure the achievement of results. Embarking on a career as a Litigation Support Officer, I am seeking a role in which I can demonstrate my knowledge, abilities and passion for the legal industry and administration.
You can type with accuracy and speed, use information technology systems such as Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel and to have the ability to learn organisation specific systems
Testing of my keyboard skills revealed a typing speed of 75wpm and 90% accuracy. Throughout my studies and career, I have gained extensive experience using a diverse range of financial and office software applications. For instance, I am well-versed in the Microsoft Office Suite of products, and am very quick to learn and understand financial and office-based systems. My various roles have required that I learn many different systems to achieve the required objectives and Microsoft Office products are used frequently in my daily routine. This involves, for example, creating Excel spreadsheets, utilising Word to prepare court documents, reports, correspondence in addition to sending and receiving emails, and entering important dates into calendars.
My ability to identify opportunities for improvement has contributed to the effective use of organisation resources. Using my high-speed and accurate typing skills, I have demonstrated experience employing Microsoft Word and PowerPoint design tools to present professional and concise information in a variety of formats. The expertise I am able to deliver in performing complex word processing and reporting tasks is beyond the norm of usual administrative assistance. The Excel spreadsheets I encountered and contributed to at ASIC were extremely large, 20 to 30 sheets, with detailed information which included links.
ASIC utilised an internal company record management database, Enterprise Content Management (ECM), with which I was completely unfamiliar. ECM is a formalised method of organising and storing an organisation’s documents, and other content, that relate to the organisation’s processes. I successfully gained proficiency in the database to attend to my work responsibilities. Further, I learnt another organisation specific system called Ringtail 8.6 which delivers a unique visual approach to document review and storage that helps legal teams by streamlining cases. As an Administrative Officer and Accounts Clerk at Auscomp, I operate Microsoft Dynamics NAV which is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution that provides businesses greater control over their financials and simplifies their supply chain, manufacturing, and operations. In 2008 I completed a Certificate III in Information Technology and Networking demonstrating my excellent knowledge and skills in computers and programmes.
You can communicate effectively with external stakeholders and clients with complex needs and provide courteous, prompt and professional services
I have developed and demonstrated a high level of both written and oral communication skills at university level and in the workplace. I have the ability and confidence to communicate with clients, solicitors, barristers and which will ensure that I can prosper in the role of Litigation Support Officer. Through the UQ Pro Bono Centre program, I am currently working with refugee students requiring me to assist them with their homework, study and assignments. Each student has particular needs and different learning methods, and my efforts to address these issues required flexibility in my approach and my communication style. Similarly, I satisfied the complex needs of 30 students whilst employed as a Training Coordinator at Gocomp College Pty Ltd in a courteous, prompt and professional manner. My role involved mentoring all the students and creating worksheets and tasks on a regular basis. Organising the training for the students encompassed liaising and negotiating with the teachers and staff at the Registered Training Organisations, the school each student attended, in addition to the parents. All of this required constructive and continuous communication, both in oral and written formats.
Extensive customer training was conducted at QPLICH and Claxton Legal when I commenced employment at those organisations. These training courses taught me many communication skills, including the ability to negotiate with and calm aggressive and angry clients together with adhering to the correct policies and procedures for that organisation. My excellent communication skills have been proven by my ability to listen attentively, speak clearly, write concisely, and compile well-researched and factual information in a structured and direct manner. My focus is to use unambiguous language and select the most appropriate medium for my audience. When communicating, both orally and in writing, with clients, solicitors, barristers and external stakeholders, I concentrate on listening to their needs and identifying the core message before responding.
Presenting a professional image when communicating with others (in person, on the telephone and in writing), is of the utmost importance in the legal profession. Possessing strong interpersonal communication skills, over the course of my career I have demonstrated the ability to form working relationships and liaise with clients. The research and assignments I completed during my studies required me to communicate information and outcomes in written form on a regular basis. Thus, I am proficient in writing reports, essays and research information. These written forms of communication were significant and integral to the successful completion of my degree qualifications and my skills in this area have been applied in my working life.
You take on additional duties when required, demonstrate flexibility and reschedule or reorganise work to reflect changes in priority
Working as a Legal Enforcement Officer at ASIC allowed me to develop my ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Most of the cases I was involved with included claims that had limitation dates, hence I was required to conduct research and prepare all of the requisite documents in a short period of time. The responsibility of being the main contact point for my superiors was entrusted to me and regularly communicated with the team members to ensure that each person was addressing their allocated tasks and meeting their set deadlines. The expectations of my superiors were surpassed when I was allocated tasks such as evidence review and drafting court documentation. Willing to accept challenging tasks and being flexible by prioritising duties and reorganising work are circumstances in which I thrive.
Meeting deadlines is an accepted and necessary component of working and I flourish under pressure and in demanding situations. Focusing on the task at hand and diligently working towards its completion within the timeframe are strong features in my work ethic. My previous positions at ASIC and QPLICH required me to remain calm and positive under pressure in the face of prodigious work demands and meet monthly KPIs. Utilising my time management skills and abilities ensured that I completed tasks in a timely manner. Being well-organised, I make use of calendars and checklists to organise my work day, ensuring that all duties and activities required of me are completed by the end of the day. I have worked overtime without remuneration to complete tasks and would do so in this role too whenever required. This exhibited my dedication to adhere to deadlines and prioritise duties. . Being proactive in my approach I attempt to anticipate the needs of others so that I can provide them with the information and resources they require to perform and fulfil their roles. In the application of my outstanding abilities to reschedule or reorganise work to reflect changes in priority, I have attended to ad hoc duties and offered assistance to team members.
