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.

…

What the Global Skills Matrix 2026 means for Legal Secretaries and PAs

Your job is not what your job description says it is.

If you work as a Legal Secretary or PA in a solicitors' firm, chambers, or in-house legal team, you already know this. The title on your contract captures a fraction of what you actually do. The procedural knowledge, the client sensitivity, the court deadline management, the SRA compliance awareness, the judgement calls you make before anyone else has noticed there's a problem - all ofthat lives in your head and your …

The UK’s go-to legal finance, compliance, and law firm management conference returns on Thursday 21st May, 9am-5pm at The Law Society, London.

The Institute of Legal Finance and Management (ILFM) Spring conference is a fantastic opportunity for Legal Secretaries whose work crosses over into assisting with accounts and finance. It is a chance to network, learn and gain valuable insights into your role.

This year’s ILFM Annual Conference welcomes actor and accidental accountant Simon Paisley Day, who brings his brilliantly titled keynote "VAT of Stagnant Emotion" to the stage. A self‑confessed "ostrich" banker, hopeless with money …

If you work in a Business Services role in the UK legal sector, the InterLaw Diversity Forum would like to hear your perspective.

Click here to complete our 5-minute survey

The InterLaw Diversity Forum recently launched this survey aimed at understanding how Business Services colleagues across the legal sector experience inclusion, respect and opportunity.

Early responses are already revealing a complex picture

Some insights shared with us are encouraging and point to huge progress in the way Business Services roles are regarded. However, we have also heard from Business Services professionals who feel unseen or …

The law of Wills in England and Wales is on the brink of possibly its most significant overhaul in nearly 200 years. The Law Commission published its Modernising Wills Law report in May 2025, accompanied by a draft Bill designed to replace the Wills Act 1837, legislation that, despite amendments, still reflects Victorian-era formalities.

For Legal Secretaries working in private client or probate teams, these proposals are more than academic; if implemented, they are likely to reshape day-to-day administrative practice.

Why reform is happening

The current law is widely seen as outdated and inflexible. It struggles to …

This article is based on content originally published by our trusted partner, TotallyLegal. You can read their article “Mentoring in the Legal Profession: How to Find and Be a Mentor” in the careers advice section of their website.

Mentoring has long been an important part of developing a successful legal career. However, in today’s fast-paced and competitive profession, structured guidance and professional support are more valuable than ever. With alternative qualification routes, hybrid working models and changing expectations from clients and employers, legal professionals at every stage are increasingly seeking reliable advice, industry insight and confidence …