Administrative Assistant Apprentice (Clark Willis)

Introduction

Join Clark Willis Solicitors and gain valuable experience in a busy legal practice. You'll support day-to-day office operations, assist with client enquiries, manage documents and records, and develop essential administration skills while working towards a recognised apprenticeship qualification.

About the Employer

Our mission is to offer affordable yet premium legal services to individuals and their families who want access to excellent legal advice locally and who appreciate the value and the experience they will enjoy from using Clark Willis.

We call this ‘affordable premium‘, and it informs how we provide our legal services, how we interact with our clients, our workspaces and how we develop our team.

We are a growing team of highly respected solicitors committed to making legal services simple to understand and accessible with clear advice and transparent costs making us the smart choice.

We are small enough to ensure that you can benefit personally from our one-to-one service on everyday matters but also experienced enough to deal with more complex and demanding areas.

Although we offer legal services you are really buying our expertise and not only is our firm Lexcel accredited, the Law Society’s Quality Mark, our individual solicitors are also specialists within their respective areas and hold a range of personal accreditations.

We have been quietly and confidently providing legal services locally, regionally and nationally for over fifty years from our offices in Darlington and Northallerton.

What You'll Do

The Administrative Assistant Apprentice will support the day-to-day administration and client service functions of Clark Willis Solicitors, helping to deliver an efficient, professional, and client-focused legal service. Working as part of a busy legal practice, the apprentice will assist solicitors and support staff with administrative tasks, client communications, and office processes while developing key business administration and customer service skills within a professional legal environment.

The role will involve handling confidential information, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring clients receive a positive experience when accessing the firm's services.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Welcome clients and visitors in a friendly, professional, and courteous manner
• Answer telephone calls and respond to enquiries, directing them to the appropriate member of staff
• Assist with booking appointments and managing meeting room schedules
• Support the preparation, scanning, filing, and archiving of legal documents and correspondence
• Maintain accurate electronic and paper-based client records
• Manage incoming and outgoing post, emails, and document distribution
• Assist solicitors and legal support staff with routine administrative duties
• Ensure confidential client information is handled in accordance with GDPR and firm procedures
• Support the opening, updating, and closing of client files
• Carry out data entry and document management tasks using legal case management systems
• Assist with producing legal documents, letters, and reports from templates
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to support the smooth running of the office
• Provide excellent customer service to clients and professional contacts

Skills & Experience Gained

• Legal administration and office support experience
• Professional customer service and client care skills
• Use of legal and business administration IT systems
• Understanding of confidentiality, GDPR, and data protection requirements
• Business communication skills, including telephone, email, and written correspondence
• Document management and record-keeping processes
• Organisation, prioritisation, and time management skills
• Experience working within a professional legal services environment
• Understanding of legal office procedures and client service standards

Ideal Candidate

This role is suited to someone who is:

• Friendly, professional, and approachable
• Reliable and eager to learn
• Organised with good attention to detail
• Able to manage multiple tasks and priorities
• Confident communicating with a wide range of people
• Comfortable using computers and Microsoft Office applications
• Able to work effectively as part of a team
• Respectful of confidential and sensitive informatiomn
• Keen to develop a career in administration or the legal sector
• Motivated, positive, and willing to take responsibility for their own development

This apprenticeship provides an excellent opportunity to gain valuable administration experience within a respected legal practice while working towards a nationally recognised qualification and developing skills that can support a long-term career in the legal and professional services sector

Training Outcome

Successful completion may lead to a full-time employment and/ or opportunity to join the Business Administrator L3 Apprenticeship Standard.

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Team working

Qualifications

• Essential - GCSE - English - 4+/ C+
• Essential - GCSE - maths - 4+/ C+

Course Information

Course: Administration assistant (level 2)

Level: 2

Route: Business and administration

Apprenticeship Level: Intermediate

Working Arrangements

Working Week: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

Expected Duration: 1 Year

Training Provider: DARLINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL