Gemma Manns

Experience

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  Baker O'Brien and Toll Solicitors

  Feb 2012 - Apr 2016

  Paralegal

  Baker O'Brien & Toll was my first law firm position. I started as an office junior in 2012 and quickly worked my way up to paralegal. Being a smaller firm I was able to gain technical experience on all manner of files including managing conveyancing files start to finish, managing estate files, debtors, business sale and purchases and local council files. I also assisted the office manager when she was on leave with reconciling the trust account and paying wages.

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  Gallaway Cook Allan Lawyers

  Apr 2016 - Oct 2020

  Legal Executive

  I was recruited to GCA in 2016 as a legal secretary to a busy partner heading up the Private Client department while working with the CEO to help improve the administrative processes of the firm to maximise efficiencies and tailor the client experience based on ongoing feedback. Key AccomplishmentsProvided high level administrative support at the executive/partner level.Used advanced Microsoft Office skills to create a suite of document templates to improve efficiencies and create a uniform communication style for use across the firm. Successfully managed a high-volume workload and competing demands. I quickly moved into the position of Legal Executive administering estates and trusts. I managed estate files from beginning to end, including drafting probate and letters of administration, liaising with banks, life insurance policies, LINZ, executors and family members. From my time in the conveyancing team I also learned many technical skills and consider myself an experienced conveyancing administrator, able to manage a conveyancing file from contract through to settlement. I spent two years in the property team and successfully streamlined the conveyancing processes to improve the customer experience and maximise efficiency.I also spent time on a number of projects while at Gallaway Cook Allan, including implementing the Client Trust module of Infinity to organise the firms trust clients, putting together a Style Guide and streamlining the process of retaining electronic original documents. Show less

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  Baker O'Brien & Toll Lawyers

  Jan 2021 - now

  Office Manager