Knowledge Development Lawyers (KDLs) at Charles Russell Speechlys are experts within their field and they support and facilitate knowledge sharing within their area of expertise. Knowledge directly supports the firm’s ambition to undertake complex, challenging, high-value work and deliver exceptional client service. KDLs have the responsibility of developing our unique, knowledge-sharing culture within the Firm which in turn drives efficiency and profitability. Our clients are at the heart of everything we do and KDLs create opportunities to use Knowledge to deepen our relationships with clients, ensuring that Knowledge is a driver for business and is used effectively to enhance our reputation. The KDLs in each Division report into the Knowledge Lead for that Division. This role sits within the Business Advisory and Transaction Services Division, supporting Corporate across the UK but works collaboratively with KDLs in other Divisions. All KDLs are expected to contribute to Knowledge-wide initiatives and projects. This role represents an exciting opportunity for the right person to make a meaningful contribution in a strong and growing area for the firm. The right candidate will be able to use their strong technical legal knowledge to leverage the work of the Corporate group by growing the technical legal expertise of the group and improving efficiency. This opportunity has arisen as the Corporate group is particularly busy at the moment and the two Corporate KDLs have additional management responsibilities. It is important that the person in this role can demonstrate both the ability to work independently on tasks and projects and also as part of a wider team. Roles and Responsibilities Leading, motivating and facilitating knowledge-sharing within the practice group, taking responsibility for developing a collaborative, knowledge-sharing culture among all lawyers. This will include: • Developing and maintaining precedents, automated documents, practice notes, checklists, toolkits, clause banks and other forms of know-how. • Facilitating and leading know-how meetings to ensure that new developments, legal and practical knowledge and experience is shared; • Collecting know-how from lawyers, reviewing this and making it available via the Knowledge system. • Developing efficient, practical and meaningful current awareness for the group. • Working collaboratively with the Research & Information Services team and the Knowledge Partner to identify the external knowledge resources (legal and business-based) required by the group. • Working collaboratively with the Knowledge Partner, the Business Development team and others, identify opportunities to enhance the reputation of the group and individuals within group as thought leaders and to deepen relationships with existing clients (LinkedIn posts, Passle posts, journal articles, client value adds). • Working collaboratively with the Knowledge Partner to develop, co-ordinate and, where appropriate, deliver training within a structured training programme and to manage the group’s training budget. • Assisting fee-earners with technical queries, encouraging in all lawyers a confident use of existing resources. • Mentoring trainees and junior Associates, and guiding on the correct use of electronic tools, such as DocuSign. • Working collaboratively with the Knowledge Partner and other key stakeholders to identify opportunities to use new technology or processes to improve our service delivery. • Working with the Knowledge Director and other members of the Knowledge team on firm wide Knowledge projects and tasks. • Comply with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Standards and Regulations, and Principles. • Such other Knowledge-related activities that the practice group requires. Skills and Experience • An experienced Corporate lawyer with at least 7 years’ PQE • Experience as a PDL/KDL an advantage • Experience with Innovation Technology (Document Automation and Artificial Intelligence) an advantage Person Specification • Proven organisational ability within a commercial and pressurised environment • Excellent communication skills • Strong analytical skills • Highly proficient drafting skills and ability to produce high quality precedents • A highly collaborative worker with the ability to persuade and influence • Ability to quickly develop and utilise own networks, both internal and external • Capable and pro-active with a growth mindset and the ability to view challenges as opportunities • Ability to inspire confidence at all levels • Ability to cascade knowledge • Displays, and encourages in others, pro-activity and a solutions-focused approach • Commercial awareness, financial acumen and a business-like approach to legal practice • Desire and ability to be involved in using technology to improve processes and bring efficiency Competencies • Working together • Integrity and respect • Inclusive • Personal impact and growth • Driving high standards • Commercial mindset • Client - centric • Responsible Business For a detailed specification please download the job description in the documents section of this page. 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