Kira Johnstone

A highly efficient individual who strives in fast-paced and challenging environments. Working best under pressure, I am eager to learn with aptitude for applying new knowledge with skill and efficiency. Motivated to grow and excel with any task at hand. A reliable employee, offering excellent verbal and written communication both internally and externally. With good judgement, I am dedicated to contribute to team and personal success and goals through hard work and excellent organisation skills.

Executive Assistant to the Consumer Claims Department - Express Solicitors Ltd - Manchester

(2025-02 - 2026-05)

• Providing comprehensive administrative support within regulated financial services environment, ensuring full compliance with FCA rules and guidelines
• FCA trained with a clear understanding of compliance, confidentiality and professional standard, applied consistently in day-to-day responsibilities
• Maintaining accurate client records, documentation and compliance files in line with FCA, AML and GDPR
• Supports senior management with onboarding new clients, processing applications, valuations and reviews
• Assisting with compliance monitoring, audits and internal checks, identifying and escalating potential risks where appropriate
• Balanced competing priorities effectively, meeting strict deadlines while maintaining high performance standards
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail, confidentiality and regulatory awareness in all aspects of the role, delivering a high standard of professional service
• Providing high level support to the Consumer Claims Department and a firm Partner
• Managing complex and confidential calendars, scheduling meetings, court dates and client consultations
• Producing weekly financial MI (management information) report and extracting relevant data from numerous sources, with frequent use of Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint
• Preparing legal documents, briefs and correspondence ensuring they comply with legal standards
• Conducting legal research and gathering case related information to support case preparation for the Senior Associate Solicitor and a firm Partner
• Liaising with clients, courts, external counsel and internal departments acting as a professional and trusted point of contact
• Handling sensitive information with utmost confidentiality, demonstrating discretion and professionalism at all times
• Organising and maintaining legal filing systems and secure storage of case files
• Managing travel arrangements, expenses and general administrative duties, supporting the Senior Associate Solicitors and a firm Partners expectations

Executive Assistant to an EFL Championship Footballer - Professional Footballer Management

(2023-01)

• Provided dedicated personal and administrative support to a professional footballer, enabling full focus on training, performance and matchday commitments
• Managed complex schedules including training fixtures, travel, media duties, medical appointments and commercial commitments
• Acted as a key point of contact between clubs, agents, legal representatives, sponsors and service providers, delivering a high standard of professional service
• Handled sensitive personal, contractual and financial information with absolute discretion, supported by FCA training and compliance awareness
• Coordinated travel logistics (domestic and international) accommodation and itineraries around competitive schedules
• Assisted with documentation relating to contracts, endorsements, insurance and financial administration, ensuring accuracy and deadlines were met
• Maintained high professional standards under pressure, demonstrating flexibility, organisation and confidentiality within an elite sporting environment
• Played a key role in off-pitch organisation, contributing to consistency and professional conduct away from the game

Paralegal - Horwich Farrelly Solicitors Ltd - Manchester

(2019-08 - 2025-02)

Part of my role as a Commercial Litigation Paralegal at a prestigious firm requires me to adhere to compliance and data protection procedures to ensure the firm's reputation and assets are protected and confidential. I have had quarterly CPD Compliance and Data Protection courses for the last 5 years.

• Managing case files for a number of different clients including insurance, accommodation and energy companies
• Drafting a number of different documents including contracts and court proceedings for monetary recovery and witness statements
• Preparing monthly financial MI (management information) report for one of our large insurance clients
• Regularly making and receiving calls with individual clients, businesses and third parties
• Attending preliminary hearings for my own cases
• Attending mediation appointments on behalf of clients
• Drafting property proceedings on behalf of landlords
• Completion of monthly WIP (work in progress) reports
• Weekly billing to ensure company targets are met on time
• Experience of and qualified in Tort Law, Property Law, Contract Law, Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution
• Working in the Commercial Litigation Department
• Drafting legal documents. This includes contract drafting, legal research, case management including conflict checking and AML checks, attending preliminary hearings and preparing financial information for a number of different clients

Part Time Administration Clerk - Phoenix Pipeline Products Ltd - Stockport

(2017-07 - 2019-08)

• Answering in excess of 100 incoming calls and emails per day, responding to clients and relaying messages to staff to ensure swift resolutions
• Drafting contracts and purchase orders for team
• Put daily sales orders on the Sage50 system
• Preparing delivery notes and send out goods to customer
• Preparing quotes for customers
• Printing off supplier invoices and matching to goods received notes and delivery notes. Scanning on and filing quality documents for the Quality Assurance Manager
• Telephoning suppliers chasing payment of invoices
• Filing system maintenance
• Prioritisation of important tasks and time management skills
• Being able to deal with several matters at once with tight deadlines
• Excellent billing knowledge
• Knowing how to accurately advise clients
• Adapting to meet the needs of individuals and showing empathy in the process
• Acute commercial awareness
• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) knowledge having completed internal courses within the company

Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship - Law - Horwich Farrelly Solicitors (2019-08 - 2021-06)

A-Levels - Sociology, Psychology - Aquinas College (2017-09 - 2019-07)

B-Tec - Public Services - Aquinas College (2017-09 - 2019-07)

GCSEs - Maths, English Literature, English Language, Core Science, History, Physical Education, Spanish, Health and Social Care - Marple Hall School (2012-09 - 2017-07)