Following the PA of the Year Awards in December 2025, ILSPA partner SecsintheCity caught up with 2025 Legal PA of the Year winner Chris Roberts, Executive Assistant to the General Counsel and Company Secretary at The Francis Crick Institute. Chris reflected on his transition from the creative arts to high-stakes scientific and legal environments, the distinct boundary between the EA and Chief of Staff roles, and why human intuition remains an indispensable career superpower.

How did you become a Legal EA?

My route into the profession was anything but linear. I began my career in the creative industries, …

For Legal Secretaries and PAs, AI has become a part of everyday work, drafting letters, completing forms, and preparing documents quickly and efficiently. It's a real time-saver, and used well, it can take a great deal of the routine burden out of document preparation. But it's worth knowing where its limits are: AI can produce a document that looks flawless and still get the details wrong.

Why this happens

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude and CoPilot can produce documents that look polished and professional whilst still containing errors. This happens because AI predicts what text is likely …

For many of us, the arrival of summer brings a welcome change of pace. The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and there are plenty of opportunities to spend time with family and friends. However, if you're studying alongside your other commitments, the summer holidays can also present some challenges.

Whether you're caring for children during the school holidays, planning a family getaway, or simply finding your usual routine has been turned upside down, fitting in study time can feel more difficult than usual.

The good news is that you don't have to put your studies on …

The latest TotallyLegal 2026 Salary Report offers an insightful snapshot of today's legal profession, exploring not only salaries but also wider workplace trends, including bonuses, flexible working, and the growing use of AI in law firms. Drawing on responses from legal professionals across the UK, the report provides valuable insights for both employees considering their next career move and employers looking to attract and retain talented staff.

For Legal Secretaries and PAs, this year's findings are particularly encouraging.

One of the standout observations is the diversity of the profession. The report shows that Legal Secretaries come from every …

SecsintheCity, the UK’s leading job site for business support professionals, has officially released its 2026 Salary Report. 

This comprehensive study provides a definitive look at the current landscape of earnings, benefits, and workplace trends for EAs, PAs, and administrative staff nationwide.

As a trusted industry benchmark, the 2026 report moves beyond simple pay scales to explore how business support roles are changing. Key findings highlight the growing integration of AI tools within support roles and the shifting expectations surrounding hybrid work, flexible working, and professional development.

Sarah El-Doori, Managing Director at SecsintheCity, says: “By providing this …

Ana is an experienced Executive Secretary and Founder of Elara VA Services. Her work with The Strategic PA Network enables her to support and mentor others in the business support community. ILSPA had the pleasure of talking to her about her role as a Committee Member, her advice to new professionals and her ILSPA studies.    

What were you doing before you joined ILSPA?

Before joining ILSPA, I was preparing to leave my corporate Executive Assistant role within a global organisation and launch my own Virtual Executive Support business, Elara VA Services. After more than 25 years supporting senior …

Animal welfare is an increasingly important area of legal and ethical debate, with animal law emerging as a growing specialist field. For legal professionals and those interested in protecting animals, the eleventh Annual Oxford Animal Ethics Summer School offers a unique opportunity to explore the challenges and strategies involved in advancing animal welfare.

The Summer School will bring together experts from around the world to discuss how legal, political and social change can help improve the lives of animals. The event will be of particular interest to anyone considering a career in animal law or with a passion for …

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way law firms operate, and Legal secretaries and PAs are at the heart of that change. From AI-assisted drafting and document management to transcription tools and legal research platforms, the technology shaping modern legal practice is evolving, and the professionals who understand how to work alongside it confidently and responsibly will be exceptionally well placed in their careers.

That is why we are delighted to announce the launch of our brand new AI in Legal Practice course.

What the Course Covers

This course provides a thorough and practical introduction to AI in …

The UK legal sector is evolving rapidly, with changing client expectations, advancing technology, and new regulations transforming the way law firms operate. For Legal Secretaries and legal support professionals, staying informed about these developments is essential. From managing digital workflows to supporting compliance and client communication, Legal Secretaries play a vital role in helping firms adapt and succeed.

ILSPA’s trusted partner The Legists compiled this list of key legal industry trends every UK Legal Secretary should be aware of in 2026.

1. The Growing Use of Artificial Intelligence in Law Firms

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an …

You’re invited to join an exclusive, completely complimentary evening designed specifically for Legal Secretaries, PAs and EAs on 11 June, 2026, London, Venue TBC.

The PA Dining Club is an exclusive evening designed for senior Legal Secretaries, PAs and EAs to connect, learn, and unwind in a relaxed, high-quality setting. With just 40 pre-qualified delegates, the experience combines meaningful networking, a three-course dinner, and tailored content focused on delivering practical, immediately applicable insights.

Each Dining Club is industry-specific, bringing together executive support professionals from the same sector to encourage relevant conversations, shared challenges, and valuable peer connections.

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