Knowledge Lawyer

PQE:

7 years +

Term:

Permanent

Working hours:

Part-time (3 days per week (working on Tuesdays))

The Firm

Farrer & Co is synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and service.

We advise individuals, families, businesses, financial services, educational and not-for-profit organisations on every aspect of the law, wherever the need arises. From our offices in London we work with trusted professionals around the world to deliver a seamless international service.

Our clients present us with complex and varied challenges. Whether that's a complicated family trust issue, a multinational corporate transaction, or an emerging threat to their reputation, they need clear thinkers who can advise on the best solutions, fast thinkers when speed is of the essence and agile thinkers who can produce a fresh approach to get the job done. That's why they choose us.

Our clients value our in-depth knowledge, technical excellence and diversity of disciplines. But what really binds our long-standing relationships with them is our approach: pragmatic, plain speaking and always steadfast in our values, which we hold dear. Values which mean we gain our clients' trust, always strive to do the right thing, and aim for the best results for them.

Superb client service sits at the heart of everything we do. We are modern lawyers with timeless values.

The Team

We provide specialist legal advice on the whole spectrum of private and business issues, helping clients to preserve and transmit their family assets and wealth (advising on trusts, Wills, probate and tax). We offer a straightforward personal service specifically tailored to clients’ requirements. We have a wealth of experience advising on all the issues clients may have to face in relation to both wealth management and other events of life.

Scope

The team is seeking an additional part-time Knowledge Lawyer to work alongside the existing Knowledge Lawyer, with a complementary and distinct focus.

The role will combine technical legal knowledge with a strong emphasis on business development, innovation and the practical implementation of new legal and regulatory developments affecting the Private Client Department. In particular, the role will:

• Support the department’s business development activities, including thought leadership, publications, and external profile raising.
• Lead on identifying, assessing and implementing innovation opportunities within the team, particularly in relation to AI and legal technology, working closely with IT and relevant firm teams.
• Monitor and respond to emerging legal and regulatory developments (for example new compliance obligations), translating these into practical guidance, training and processes for the team.
• Work collaboratively with the existing Knowledge Lawyer on core knowledge projects (such as precedents and training).
• Contribute to the department’s Knowledge Plan in conjunction with the Knowledge Partner and existing Knowledge Lawyer, ensuring alignment with the department’s business plan.
• Overseeing the team's expertise groups, and helping them to progress their twin goals of i) sharing knowledge internally; and ii) producing external briefings and related BD.
• Support the overall efficiency, quality and consistency of the team’s legal and client-facing outputs.

Responsibilities

The division of responsibilities between the two Knowledge Lawyers will evolve over time but is expected to reflect their complementary focus areas.

Business Development

• Become fully conversant with the department’s (and firm’s) BD strategy and business plan and actively work towards meeting the objectives and development of the plans.
• Work with team members to plan and (where appropriate) deliver seminars to clients and contacts, assessed against the team strategic priorities and working alongside other teams as required.
• Assist in the preparation of talks (to include research and drafting) being given at external conferences and events and consider how these might then be repurposed into shorter briefing notes and articles.
• Take a proactive role in generating ideas for thought leadership aligned with the department’s strategic priorities.
• Keep the team up to date with the latest developments in the world of Private Client (both in the UK and offshore) to include legislative and case law developments. Be alert to how these developments could affect clients and potential clients.
• Work proactively with team members to write articles on relevant topics for publication and liaise with and build contacts with the editorial teams of relevant publications where possible.
• Write periodic bulletins for circulation to intermediaries and clients.
• Assist the department in the preparation of pitch documents.
• Provide a support base for the fee earners and encourage the sharing of knowledge within the group and firm, including the mentoring of more junior fee earners where required and to deal with specific queries if and when they arise.
• Work with partners and BD and be responsible for the annual submissions to legal directories and for the STEP awards.

Innovation, Technology and Resources

• Considering, and if advised, assisting to implement any additional tools, technology solutions or platforms which might assist the fee earners.
• Identify opportunities to improve the team’s efficiency and client service through the use of technology, with a particular focus on AI, working closely with the firm’s IT and innovation teams.
• Act as a point of contact within the team for AI-related initiatives, helping to embed best practice and drive adoption.
• Monitor developments in legal technology relevant to Private Client and assess their applicability to the team.
• Working with the other Knowledge Lawyer and Library to ensure that the Private Client Department has access to the legal information resources it needs, inputting into the Research Resources budgeting process as required.

Know How

• To keep up to date on financial, economic and market forces which might apply and have relevance to the work and business of the Private Client Department (e.g new compliance regimes / HMRC initiatives etc).
• Work with the KL&D team and other Knowledge Lawyers in the firm (especially the Knowledge Lawyers in the Contentious Trusts and Estates team) where appropriate and develop good relationships with the partners and fee earners within the team.
• Coordinate matter debriefs within the department where appropriate.
• Play an active part in the relevant Knowledge Lawyer network, liaising with key Knowledge Lawyers in the field and assessing viability of relevant developments.

Training and Seminars

• Design and deliver focused, practical training sessions for the team, particularly in response to new legal or regulatory developments.
• Support partners and fee earners in developing client-facing training and seminar content.
• Liaise with other Knowledge Lawyer practitioners within the firm to ensure the team shares and gains best practice, and in particular operates effectively on a departmental level.
• Attend Knowledge Lawyer monthly meetings.

Skills and Experience

• Legal Drafting.
• Word.
• Precedent management system.
• Presentation package, e.g. PowerPoint (preferable but training can be provided).
• Online research resources.

Person Specification

• Strong academic background.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Strong interest in innovation, technology and the future delivery of legal services (including AI).
• To be pro-active in seeking out thought-leadership ideas, whether to improve ways of working or as regards to business development initiatives.
• Self-starting approach to tasks and projects and ability to work on own initiative.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills – an ability to interact with people at all levels.
• Good communication and project management skills, including an ability to persuade, present, and write clearly and concisely.
• Research skills (using hard and soft source materials).

Education and Qualifications

• Sound relevant experience gained within a respected Private Client Department.
• It is likely that the successful candidate will have at least seven years PQE as a Private Client lawyer.

Special aspects

Open to talking flexibly. This role is suitable for flexible working and applications will be accepted from individuals looking to work a 0.6 FTE pattern. Flexible working patterns will be considered within the firm’s agile working framework.

Farrer & Co is an equal opportunity employer who welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We look to employ the best candidates regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other protected characteristic.

We are keen to ensure candidates have the best interview experience possible. If you require any adjustments during the interview or application process please let the recruitment team know.

Comments

Farrer & Co conducts a pre-employment screening which includes a Criminal History Background and Credit Check for successful candidates.