Career Opportunities at Cornwalls

PRACTICE ASSISTANT – SYDNEY

About the role

We are seeking an enthusiastic Practice Assistant to join our Dispute Resolution & Insolvency team. This role requires you to provide legal support in a timely and professional manner.

The Sydney office opened in 2019 and it continues to grow. All principals in our Sydney office hail from national and international law firms and have come together to form a friendly, inclusive and culture-led environment, founded on teamwork, drive, respect and commitment to client service.

Cornwalls reserves the right to reasonably amend this position description as the role and firm evolves, to reflect the job being performed, and the right to make reasonable requests to undertake additional duties that may be required to be performed beyond which is outlined within this document.

Roles & Responsibilities

Legal Support

Diary Management – maintaining diaries and assisting with management and scheduling of appointments as appropriate
Hard copy and electronic filing is done on a regular basis (at least daily)
Assisting with photocopying and scanning of correspondence and documents
Dispatching couriers or other forms of delivery
Maintain sound understanding of the firm’s accounting processes
Completing monthly reconciliation of credit card expenses
Complying with all firm policies and procedures
Request files from archives
Liaise with external suppliers

Client Liaison

Acting as a link between fee earner/s and clients/referrers by proactively and professionally managing client enquiries or requests
Co-ordinating and arranging meetings and booking meeting rooms prior to meetings
Capturing and maintaining accurately in LawMaster, all information that comes to hand relating to client or individual business contacts (e.g. change of address, role, personal information etc.)
Acting as an important conduit between fee earner/s and clients including arranging meetings, passing on messages, proactively responding to requests and keeping people informed

Time Management

Attending work on time
Ability to prioritise tasks to meet set deadlines
Keeping personal calls, activities and use of the internet to official break times (except in cases of emergency)

Legal Documentation

Preparation of all relevant documentation (including Court documents if applicable) correspondence and reports, as directed by fee earner/s from hand amendments/instructions or dictation
Amending contracts/agreements (mark-up/track changes) if applicable
Obtaining relevant searches as requested

Filing and Records Management

Setting up new files
Organising and maintaining files and Court documents, if applicable, in an orderly and competent manner
Maintaining accurate and complete accounting records on files, including all bills and disbursements such as external invoices, barristers’ fees etc
Closing files

Billing

Assisting in the preparation of bills within required timeframes including printing matter balance reports and/or timekeeper WIP reports, preparing draft bills and completing bill cover sheets (if applicable)
Ensuring all LawMaster billing information is always correct and up to date
Ensuring disbursements are allocated to the correct matter
Generate reports as required

Key Selection Criteria

Qualifications and Skills

Relevant experience in a similar role minimum 5 years
Experience working within the professional services industry
Knowledge of LawMaster or similar accounting package
Proficient in spelling, punctuation and grammar
Strong attention to detail
Competent at Microsoft Office Suite – Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint

Key Working Relationships

Cornwalls staff, clients and external providers

Health & Safety

All employees have a responsibility to behave in a manner, which ensures that their actions, do not adversely affect the health and safety of themselves, colleagues, contractors, client representatives or members of the public.

In doing so, employees must:

Meet all employee responsibilities as outlined in the Health & Safety Policy and related processes
Participate in training and safety initiatives implemented by the company
Comply with all safety directives and instructions
Immediately report any incident or potential hazard to your manager (and client representative when on client premises)
Correctly utilise safety related equipment that has been supplied
Co-operate with respect to any action taken by the company to comply with a requirement imposed by relevant legislation

Personal Abilities

Outstanding organisational skills including planning and time management
Excellent interpersonal skills including active listening, verbal and written communication
Pleasant (friendly nature)
Obliging
Enthusiastic
Ability to meet deadlines
Ability to prioritise
Good attention to detail and accuracy
Strong commitment to confidentiality
Committed, positive attitude
Punctual and reliable
Customer-service orientation
Ability to remain poised under pressure
Ability to engage and communicate with all employees in a professional and positive manner at all times
Strong commitment to and understanding of the firm values
Professional appearance

Salary

Commensurate with experience.

How to apply

To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter and CV to k.gillham@cornwallsnsw.com.au. For more information or a strictly confidential discussion, please contact Kylie Gillham on +61 2 9216 5604 . For more information about Cornwalls, please visit see our ‘About Us‘ page.

COMMERCIAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION & LITIGATION LAWYER (1-3 YEARS’ PQE)

About the role

Our growing Sydney practice is seeking two enthusiastic junior lawyers (1 – 3 years) to join our Litigation team. The role provides a great opportunity to work alongside highly experienced and well-known practitioners, renowned for their experience in significant and complex commercial litigation matters.

The Sydney office opened in 2019 and it continues to grow; this is a real opportunity to be part of the expansion of our firm in the Sydney market. All principals in our Sydney office hail from national and international law firms and have come together to form a friendly, inclusive and culture-led environment, founded on teamwork, drive, respect and commitment to client service.

Work opportunities

As a valued member of our Litigation team, you will have the opportunity to:

Be heavily involved in large and complex commercial disputes, generally heard within the Supreme or Federal Courts;
Be involved in various commissions of inquiry;
Act for large and sophisticated corporate and or government clients; and
Brief pre-eminent Senior and Junior Counsel.

Our client base is incredibly diverse: we advise property related businesses, accountancy and insolvency firms, investment banks, lottery agencies, fintechs, government agencies, construction companies and litigation funders to name a few.

Skills and experience

To be successful in this role, you will have:

a strong academic record, coupled with a practical mindset;
excellent time management and task prioritisation skills, to manage multiple tasks at any given time;
exceptional written and verbal communication skills, as well as highly developed interpersonal skills;
an ability to work both collaboratively and autonomously;
a high level of attention to detail;
superior problem-solving and analytical skills;
a strong client service focus and work ethic; and
drive and passion for a career in law.

Prior experience working in Litigation is essential.

What we offer

As a multidisciplinary practice, with talent and culture being the cornerstone pillar to our business strategy, we offer countless opportunities to learn and grow and work with clients across a variety of sectors. In addition, we offer:

competitive salary;
tutelage from award-winning lawyers who are well recognised in their respective fields;
interesting and challenging work;
regular social events;
group sporting events;
a genuinely fun, relaxed and supportive workplace, where everyone will know your name; and
flexible working arrangements.

How to apply

To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter, academic transcript and CV to k.gillham@cornwallsnsw.com.au. For more information or a strictly confidential discussion, please contact Kylie Gillham on +61 2 9216 5604 . For more information about Cornwalls, please visit see our ‘About Us‘ page.

Career Opportunities