Knowledge Lawyer

Farrer & Co is an independent law firm, with a rich history. A centuries-long tradition of advising private families, individuals and charitable institutions is today complemented by our work with businesses and entrepreneurs, from asset managers and sports bodies to international media groups.

We look to be the market leader in our chosen areas of expertise, advising clients on the contentious and non-contentious legal, business and personal issues they face.

Our reputation and success is based on the goodwill of numerous close client relationships. We are trusted advisers, acting in our clients' long-term interests and paying careful attention to quality and personal service.

Our clients tell us they value us for our integrity, good judgement and professional excellence, as well as our broad perspective, practical solutions and value for money. They describe us as 'a likeable bunch' too.

The Team assists borrowers and lenders, particularly in the media, private wealth and education sectors, in structuring credit facilities for trusts, corporates and individuals, advising on borrowing for investment, business and charitable purposes, providing advice on all aspects of secured lending including the priority and subordination arrangements.  The Team has a strong real estate finance practice as well as considerable experience in alternative finance and private placements.

The Banking Team is looking for a part-time Knowledge Lawyer (working 2.5 days per week by mutual agreement), providing professional and technical legal support to fee-earners and clients.  The aim is to seek to ensure that the role is resourced by appropriate administrative support (including Knowledge Secretary) where possible, so that areas for which the KL has responsibility for overall delivery (eg precedents and the day to day mechanics of arranging, as opposed to scoping, seminars) are in practice carried out at the right level.

Strategy

Take stock and analyse knowledge and training requirements of the team, with support from fee earners and KL&D, focussing on the team priority areas for knowledge/skills gaps within the team, precedents and business development. Draft strategic plan (incorporating updated training plan), consider any resource requirements for implementation, and start to roll out.

Standard Forms and Precedents

• Review team's use of Knowledge Centre/K&L resources.  Draw up proposals for discussion with partners/team;
• With input from fee-earner colleagues, create and update banking precedents.  These should conform, where necessary, to recognised standards, eg LMA, as well as incorporating amendments reflected by, say, economic changes and any improvements agreed by supervising partner;
• Develop related guidance notes;
• Keep precedents and standard forms up to date going forward.

Training and Seminars

• Co-ordinate, design and deliver training for team members;
• Provide input and leadership to the induction training of trainees and other new joiners to the Group;
• Play an active part in the relevant Knowledge Lawyer network, liaising with key Knowledge Lawyers in the field and assessing viability of relevant developments;
• Liaise with other KL practitioners within the Firm to ensure the team shares and gains best practice, and in particular operates effectively on a departmental level
• Supporting the team in complying with the new CPD regime;
• Retain overall responsibility for the team resources (both hardcopy and online) from a budgetary and curating perspective. Liaise with KL&D and Integreon on both aspects.

Business Development

• Work with team members to plan and (where appropriate) deliver seminars to clients and contacts, assessed against the team strategic priorities;
• Prepare and provide support to sector-related client briefing notes/articles for external publications on relevant topics. Be alert to how legal developments could affect clients’ businesses;
• Compile information on successful transactions and cases for communicating to press contacts and other BD purposes;
• Working with partners and BD, provide input to the annual submissions to legal directories.

• Excellent organisational skills
• 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 skills, including an ability to persuade, present, write and précis
• Research skills (using hard and soft source materials)

• Sound relevant experience gained within a respected banking team
• It is likely that the successful candidate will have at least five years PQE as a banking lawyer