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 FS team has worked at the heart of the private banking and wealth management sector for generations. With long-standing relationships with many of the leading names in the sector, we provide the kind of service our clients require in order to support their own dynamic and demanding client base.

We offer comprehensive, market-leading expertise tailored to the needs of private banks and wealth managers. Our experience in the sector means we understand how vital it is for our clients to implement regulatory changes with the minimum of client disruption, for client-facing documentation to be both compliant and reflective of our client's values and to help our clients provide lending solutions to fit their clients' varied needs.

Our regulatory work for private banks and wealth managers includes drafting business-critical client facing

documentation, such as terms of business and investment management agreements, as well as assisting with

essential compliance matters such as the implementation of significant regulatory changes including GDPR and MIFIDII.

The FS team is looking for a Knowledge Lawyer, providing professional and technical legal support to fee-earners and clients. The role will include:

• responsibility for knowledge sharing in the team, including assessing, organising and, where appropriate,

• delivering training;

• supporting the team's knowledge led business development, including articles, client seminars and training;

• evaluating existing know-how and updating know-how resources appropriately;

• drafting precedents and other written material including guidance notes for the team.

It is anticipated that the role will be flexible with the opportunity to work 2-3 days.

Strategy

Take stock and analyse knowledge and training requirements of the team, with support from fee earners and KL&D, focusing on the team priority areas for knowledge/skills gaps within the team, business development and precedents.

Draft strategic knowledge plan (incorporating updated training plan), consider any resource requirements for implementation, and start to roll out.

Business Development

• A key responsibility will be to 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;

• Work with team members to plan and (where appropriate) deliver seminars to clients and contacts, assessed against the team strategic priorities;

• Compile information on successful work matters for communicating to press contacts and other BD purposes;

• Assist on pitches;

• Work with partners and BD, provide input to the annual submissions to legal directories.

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 and as a secondary priority to BD Support, create and update appropriate precedents and/or clause library. These should conform, where necessary, to recognised standards, as well as incorporating amendments reflected by, say, economic and political changes and any improvements agreed by supervising partner;

• Develop knowledge guidance notes;

• Keep precedents up to date going forward.

Training and Seminars

• Co-ordinate, design and deliver training for team members and provide input into the client seminar programme;
• Provide input and leadership to the induction training of trainees and other new joiners to the team;
• Play an active part in the relevant Knowledge Lawyer network, both within and outside the firm;
• Liaise with other KL practitioners within the Firm to ensure the team shares and gains best practice;
• Support the team in complying with the CPD regime, including encouraging fee earners to reflect on their learning
• from various work matters, using the appropriate tools, such as the matter debrief;
• 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.

• Self-starting approach to tasks and projects and ability to work on own initiative;

• Excellent organisational skills;

• Well-developed interpersonal skills – an ability to interact with people at all levels;

• Good communication skills, including an ability to persuade, present and write with interest and precision;

• Good research skills.

• Qualified lawyer with at least 5 years PQE;

• Sound relevant technical experience gained within a respected firm.