Knowledge Development Lawyer - Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG)

• Add to shortlist

Knowledge Development Lawyer - Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG)

Knowledge Development Lawyers (KDLs) at Charles Russell Speechlys are experts within their field and they support and facilitate knowledge sharing and to implement an ambitious Knowledge Strategy. 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.

This role is responsible for monitoring, analysing and communicating key developments in ESG regulation, policy and best practice across the UK, the EU and other significant international jurisdictions. Working closely with the ESG Partner, the successful candidate will play an integral part in developing and expanding the firm's ESG practice, including contributing to client-facing work and advisory matters. A central element of the role will be the production of a monthly client-facing bulletin covering emerging ESG law and regulatory trends, as well as the development of wider thought leadership content that reflects the challenges and strategic priorities of the firm's clients. In addition, the ESG KDL will act as an ambassador for ESG law across the firm, raising awareness of the evolving regulatory landscape, building internal expertise, and ensuring that ESG knowledge is embedded within the firm's broader offering to clients.

The role plays a key role in the implementation of our ESG strategy by developing a collaborative, knowledge-sharing culture around ESG within the Firm. While ESG issues are relevant across all practice areas, this role has a particular focus on our work with clients in the Commercial, Corporate, Banking, Financial Regulatory, Disputes and wider ESG risk management sectors.

The KDLs in each Division report into the Knowledge Lead for that Division. This role sits within the Business Advisory and Transaction Services (BATS) Division. ESG is a key strategic priority for the Firm and we recognise that increasing our capability in this area will be a key factor in the success of our wider strategic goals.

ESG issues are relevant across all practice areas but this role has particular focus on our work within the Commercial, Corporate, Banking and Financial Regulatory areas.

Responsibilities Internal Develop our internal resources by:

• Working collaboratively with key stakeholders to clearly identify and develop key internal resources
• Drafting, reviewing, maintaining and updating key internal resources (precedents, practice notes, checklists, toolkits, clause banks)
• Collecting and reviewing know-how from lawyers, making it available via the Knowledge systems
• Assisting and advising on the Firm's internal ESG compliance

Develop an increased awareness of ESG issues across the Firm by:

• Working proactively with the Research & Information Services team to identify resources and develop coherent systems and processes for tracking legal and regulatory developments
• Monitoring and analysing relevant developments in ESG regulation, policy and best practice in the UK, EU and other key jurisdictions worldwide
• Developing our own practical current awareness on ESG issues across practice groups and preparing regular firm-wide bulletins on developments in ESG and responsible business
• Identifying, developing and, where appropriate, delivering ESG training to lawyers
• Supporting the Knowledge Partner with meetings (agendas, content, presenting updates and facilitating Q&A)
• Advising and assisting lawyers across practice groups with technical queries on ESG issues, encouraging in all lawyers a confident and competent use of existing resources.

External

• Producing the Firm's monthly client-facing ESG bulletin by identifying topical articles, co-ordinating and co-authoring contributions from relevant subject matter experts across the Firm where appropriate, to produce a high-quality and impactful publication that positions the firm at the forefront of ESG thought leadership
• Identifying and exploiting opportunities to deliver advice and guidance on ESG issues to the Firm's clients and to use ESG to deepen those relationships e.g. through client briefings and client training
• Identifying opportunities to use Knowledge to enhance the Firm's reputation for ESG including supporting individuals to develop their profiles as thought leaders (LinkedIn posts, journal articles)
• Providing input on ESG issues in order to win work at pitch stage
• Give specialist/technical advice to clients on ESG issues

General

• Leading and contributing to wider Knowledge projects and tasks
• Such other Knowledge-related and ESG activities as the Knowledge Lead, the Director of Knowledge and the Knowledge Partner identify.

Person specification

• A capable, experienced lawyer (either a PSL/KDL or someone who is currently in a fee-earning or in-house role) with proven effectiveness in a commercial and pressurised environment
• Solid foundation of key knowhow resources around ESG issues and develop ESG-related knowledge for client engagement and as a driver for business.
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of clients' areas of focus and priorities
• Strong analytical and research skills
• Ability to inspire confidence at every level of the business
• Ability to quickly develop own networks and use them effectively
• Self-aware, capable and proactive with the ability to work independently
• Displays a growth mindset and the ability to view challenges as opportunities
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and demands
• Ability to cascade knowledge
• 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 drive efficiency

The person filling this role will be a solicitor with at least 8 years' PQE. Previous experience as a PSL/KDL or in a similar role would be preferrable but not essential.

General

• Comply with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Standards and Regulations, and Principles.

Hybrid working

- We adopt a hybrid and flexible working approach, dependent on the requirements of the role and subject to manager approval.

For a detailed specification please download the job description in the documents section of this page.

We replaced the italic note below with plain text: Clicking 'apply' will direct you to the application tracking system, hosted for us by