Operations Assistant career at Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors

We are pleased to share blogs written by our staff, talking about their job role, working at the firm and career progression at Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors.

In this blog by David Atkinson, Operations Assistant at Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors, he talks about his journey in our Support Team as a career and his role.

Thank you to David for sharing your career journey so far at Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors.

In his own words, David said:

I joined the firm in 2007 as an Office Assistant at the York office, bringing prior experience from previous roles in business administration. Over the years, my role has evolved significantly, and I now work as Operations Assistant, providing comprehensive support across HR, Marketing, and Operations.

My current responsibilities include:

• HR Support: Assisting with recruitment processes, coordinating Trainee Assessment Days, and preparing monthly newsletters.
• Marketing: Organising charity fundraising events and maintaining intranet content.
• Operations: Managing maintenance schedules and liaising with contractors.
• Reception and Admin: Additionally, I provide cover at York, Selby, and occasionally Malton.

Working in a legal support role demands attention to detail, strong teamwork, and the ability to work independently. I feel key attributes tor succeeding in a legal support role are remaining calm under pressure, multitasking effectively, and meeting deadlines. Empathy, understanding, and professionalism are essential when interacting with clients, ensuring a positive first impression and reinforcing our client-centred values.

The Business Support team has changed considerably during my time with the firm, though its core purpose—supporting legal teams and maintaining operational flow across the business—remains the same. Tasks range from daily duties such as processing post and document management to longer term projects like archiving and scanning files. Collaboration with Accounts and IT has fostered a culture of mutual support across teams. The 2020 pandemic marked a turning point, prompting significant process updates and system improvements. Despite initial challenges, these changes have enhanced efficiency, but there is always scope for continuous improvement.

I have benefited greatly from HR’s support as my role has developed, and I value the collaborative environment and attitude across the firm. Crombie Wilkinson has consistently demonstrated commitment to staff wellbeing and development, which I feel has contributed to my long service with the firm. I have built strong professional relationships and friendships, and I appreciate the firm’s history in the local community and being part of its story which began over 150 years ago.

I am proud to have received recognition for delivering outstanding client service, including two GEM Awards during my time here. Personally, I feel my progression has been organic, shaped by circumstances and opportunities to diversify rather than formal career planning. However, I do think the firm is more committed than ever to staff development, making Business Support an excellent entry point for both those seeking progression and those looking for a varied long-term role.
 

Looking ahead, I am confident Business Support will remain integral to the firm in conjunction with technological advancements and the move toward paperless systems. While processes will inevitably evolve, I believe the commitment to delivering exceptional service will endure. I am proud to have been part of and to have contributed to this team and the firm over the last nineteen years, and look forward to continuing this journey.