Knowledge Lawyer

We are recruiting a knowledge lawyer to support the corporate team.  You will work with the practice’s existing senior knowledge lawyer and report formally to the Corporate practice group head.   The focus of the role will be working with the current senior knowledge lawyer to assist the team with its work on mainstream corporate transactions, with a particular focus on mid-market M&A, corporate restructurings, other corporate procedures and corporate governance.

The role is full time, although candidates wishing to work 4 days per week may also be considered. As a firm we work flexibly and remote/hybrid working is available, with employees encouraged to be in the office at least 2 days per week.

Key Knowledge Lawyer Responsibilities:

• Drafting and updating precedents and guidance notes for use by fee earners, including liaising with lawyers in relation to market practice.
• Carrying out analysis of latest developments in corporate law and ensuring that knowledge is promptly disseminated, internally and externally
• Advising lawyers and junior members of the team on legal issues faced in their transactions and matters with on-point, thorough, and timely answers (paying regard to the commercial context)
• Acting as a sounding board and providing “second opinions” to more senior members of the team on points of law
• Providing assistance with research and directing junior members of the team to appropriate resources
• Training, including identifying the training needs for lawyers at various levels of experience and delivering appropriate training (in conjunction with fee earning lawyers) to the team and occasionally to clients
• Providing knowledge support to business development initiatives, including supporting client campaigns, training sessions and other initiatives
• Keeping up to date with legal technology solutions, and liaising with other knowledge lawyers and information services personnel across the firm to train and familiarise the team with new products and processes developed, both internally and externally
• Supporting strategy and business group meetings and taking an active role in supporting the activities of those groups
• Drafting and managing the department’s Learning & Development plan, and supporting the delivery of the plan
• Maintaining an up to date know how repository of relevant example documents and encouraging contribution of relevant know how from fee earners

Our ideal candidate will be an established corporate knowledge lawyer.  However, we will also consider corporate fee earners who are looking to transition into a first knowledge lawyer role.  You will need to be a qualified lawyer with significant relevant experience in corporate law, and demonstrate the following:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and the ability to quickly gain the confidence of fee earners at all levels within the team and in other practice groups across the firm
• Excellent legal research skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Experience in drafting in plain language and in English
• Strong presentation skills
• Qualities that fit with a cohesive, friendly and supportive team
• Experience in designing and delivering interesting training programmes, targeted at an audience
• Recent experience of negotiating on M&A transactions and market practice desirable but not essential
• Interest in legal technology desirable, as the role will require assessment and evaluation of relevant products and reporting to the partners on them
• Ability to work with a variety of personalities across all levels of the firm

Stevens & Bolton – making a positive difference to your career

Stevens & Bolton is a leading independent UK law firm located in Guildford, supporting clients across the world. With over 270 people, approximately 160 lawyers, many of whom chose to join us from City law firms.

Our vision is to be one of the UK’s most successful law firms, offering excellence beyond the city, a supportive culture and the best client experience. We take great pride in being named "Law Firm of the Year: The Independents" at The Lawyer Awards 2020 and receiving commendation in 2023.

At Stevens & Bolton, we pledge to make a positive difference for our clients and colleagues alike. For our colleagues, this means providing support in their daily work and fostering their career growth. You’ll work with people who listen, and who actively and willingly support one another within a collaborative and engaging environment. We genuinely care about our people and strive to build and maintain a diverse, inclusive and happy workforce.

Diversity and inclusion lie at the core of our values. Our inclusive culture encourages everyone to realise their full potential and be themselves at work. In 2020 we were shortlisted for “Best D&I Initiative” at The HR Awards and for “Best Talent and Inclusion Initiative” at The Lawyer Awards.

We are committed to an agile working model that provides flexibility and benefits everyone's lives. Our newly refurbished office in Guildford offers a modern and adaptable working environment - a central hub where collaboration, teamwork, and socialising thrive. Furthermore, we equip our people with the necessary IT infrastructure and support to seamlessly work from home.