Knowledge Development Lawyer, Commercial Contracts

The role

THE OPPORTUNITY

The IPT Group at DLA Piper is an important part of the firm with an impressive global footprint.  It is divided into 5 specialised sub-groups:  Commercial Contracts;  IPMSE;  Patents;  Tech and Sourcing and Data/Cybersecurity.  The IPT Knowledge team underpins and supports the Group’s success through a number of experienced Knowledge Development Lawyers working together as a team, each supporting a particular sub-group within the practice.  

Our Commercial Contracts sub-group combines legal knowledge with deep sector experience covering the full spectrum of commercial and business law issues. Recognised as having considerable strength acting for market-leading clients, in particular in the consumer, food, retail, industrials, hospitality, financial and public sectors, our Commercial Contracts sub-group is skilled in handling a range of complex and strategic commercial matters.  

As part of the firm’s commitment to quality, training and knowledge development, the Group wishes to recruit a Commercial Contracts Knowledge Development Lawyer. This role will support the Commercial Contracts practice and the wider IPT Group to maintain its profile with clients and in the market generally.

The purpose of the role is to:

• Support the Commercial Contracts team in the UK and internationally.
• Support the International IPT Group's overall business strategy.
• Identify new products for our clients and help to develop them.
• Enhance the quality of the Commercial Contracts team’s legal advice .
• Champion the firm's vision for Knowledge in Commercial Contracts and across the International IPT Group.
• Assist in the development and presentation to clients of thought leadership.
• Maintain, develop and update standard documents and precedents.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working closely with the Commercial Contracts partners, the UK Knowledge Partner, the Head of Knowledge for IPT and the IPT Knowledge Team to identify issues affecting our clients and produce practical and forward thinking client alerts.  
• Ensuring that our lawyers are kept aware of legal, regulatory and commercial developments and providing analysis of the impact of significant developments and how they will affect the Commercial Contracts practice’s business and its clients, and developing ideas as to the kinds of activities which the group should be undertaking to capitalise upon them.
• Identifying, developing and maintaining the knowledge resources required for the Commercial Contracts practice to deliver high quality services to its clients efficiently, such as standard documents, precedents, automated documents (where appropriate), technical advice memos and practical know-how guidance.
• Capturing and promoting sharing of Knowledge and expertise from the team’s lawyers through the firm’s new Knowledge Hub.
• Supporting the Group’s training programme, which will include preparing and updating training materials, delivery of some training sessions (internally and to clients), and supporting fee earners to deliver training.
• Sharing knowledge best practice and training across the Group in the UK and internationally.
• Interfacing with the Marketing and Business Development teams. 

ABOUT YOU

A strong contract law background and experience practising as a commercial lawyer either in-house or in private practice. 

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate at all levels across multiple geographies and practices.

Pro-active. A self-starter who can also take direction.

Innovative.  Ability to work with the partners, Knowledge and Marketing & Business Development teams to identify and develop new client products, insights and training.

Highly organised and able to co-ordinate and deliver projects in a timely way.

We would be pleased to consider applications from individuals either currently working in private practice or in-house or already working in a PSL or Knowledge Development role.

ABOUT US

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Our global reach ensures that we can help businesses with their legal needs anywhere in the world. We strive to be the leading global business law firm by delivering quality, service excellence and value to our clients and offering practical and innovative legal solutions to help them succeed. Our clients range from multinational, Global 1000, and Fortune 500 enterprises to emerging companies developing industry-leading technologies, as well as government and public sector bodies.

OUR VALUES

In everything we do connected with our People, our Clients and our Communities, we live by these values:

• Be Supportive – we are compassionate and inclusive, valuing diversity and acting thoughtfully
• Be Collaborative – we are proactive, passionate team players investing in our relationships
• Be Bold – we are fearless and inquisitive, challenging ourselves to think big and find creative new solutions
• Be Exceptional – we are strategic and driven, exceeding standards and expectations

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At DLA Piper, diversity and inclusion underpins how we live our values and everything we do.  We believe that everyone has a voice, and that everyone’s voice counts. We know that the rich diversity across our firm makes us stronger, more innovative and creative, which helps us to better serve our clients and communities. We are committed to providing an inclusive working environment and culture across our global firm, where everyone can bring their authentic self to work. 

Diversity of perspective, thought, background and culture combine to make us the leading global law firm; that’s why we actively seek to build balanced teams. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

We support anyone with a disability or long term health condition to ensure they have the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.

AGILE WORKING

We know that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That's why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

PRE-ENGAGEMENT SCREENING

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we will conduct pre-engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability and references from previous employers.