A business support career at Bell Gully

 

Paula Hendy

Position: Executive Assistant
Department: Litigation

I started working at Bell Gully in 1986 as the trolley-wielding office junior. After six months I moved on to become a receptionist/secretary and my primary role is now that of executive assistant. I've really enjoyed the opportunities I've had to take on extra responsibilities. I am currently secretarial coordinator for the litigation department and, for the past 12 years, I've also been a project coordinator which has included taking a lead role in preparing a risk management guide for secretaries. It's a real highlight to be involved in projects which improve the efficiency of internal processes and ultimately help us provide a better service to clients. In 2007, I was appointed induction training facilitator, training new employees on the firm's practice management system.

My primary role as executive assistant to the firm's chairman keeps me extremely busy and involves a mixture of management and litigation work, not to mention organising social activities for the department from time to time. It's a challenging and demanding work environment, but one in which I've always felt encouraged and supported, particularly in attaining my Diploma in Management in 2009. Bell Gully is a great community to be a part of and has offered me career opportunities I would never have dreamed of as an office junior back in 1986.