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Career Conversations – Angela Harper
Here at RCCW we offer a range of careers, as we’re more than just a law firm. We’re an estate agency and financial services provider, and to help all of our services run smoothly are supported by a talented team with multiple skills. Our legal services are underpinned by a fantastic team of administrators who help keep everything running smoothly.
Angela Harper, an experienced legal secretary in our property team shares her career experiences at RCCW in her career conversation below.
Where are you from?
Aberdeen
Where did you study/what’s your career background?
I honestly, couldn’t get away from school quick enough! I was really keen to enter the world of work as soon as I left secondary education and have enjoyed my career to date.
Why did you apply to RCCW?
I Joined RCCW 15 years ago when the previous firm I worked for closed their conveyancing department. At my RCCW interview I recall seeing many typing files, there’s still a lot of typing but the legal world is embracing digital technology more and more. At my interview I was asked how I’d manage multiple deadlines, and 15 years later I’m still managing them and enjoying my work.
What department(s) do/have you worked across?
I’ve only worked in the Conveyancing Department, but the work is varied as we also support the Private Client team with Transfers of Title transactions, so it’s much more than just conveyancing purchase and sale transactions.
How would you describe a typical day/your experience at RCCW to date?
I work part time, as many of my colleagues do, RCCW have always had very flexible working policies. On a typical day I shall catch up on emails and digital dictations from the Solicitors I work for. I put on my pair of headphones and start typing, which includes letters, forms, file notes. I also take clients’ calls and generally support the team with everything involved in conveyancing work. Believe it or not, we still sometimes need to use a typewriter for some parts of our work!
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to pursue a career within a law firm (even if you aren’t a lawyer).
Submit your CV and say you are interested in a secretarial or admin role….we all started somewhere. At RCCW there are a range of administrative roles because the firm provides financial and estate agency services as well as legal advice.
What do you like most about working at RCCW?
Despite the fact that RCCW is big (it has five branches across the North East and its HQ in Aberdeen), it doesn’t feel impersonal, everyone is still very friendly and approachable. Many of the people I first worked with 15 years ago still work for the firm, and we all know each other’s family lives, children and now, even grandchildren. I like working here as my hours fit around my life (school hours) which means I can enjoy a career and parenting without compromising either role.
To find out more about current vacancies visit our career pages here.
To find out more about our current legal secretary vacancy click here.
