Professional Support Lawyer - DR&L

Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world’s most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve ‘Platinum Standard’ Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.

We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.

To discover more about our benefits, please visit: Benefits Package

Our DRL team advises, and acts for, business clients on all aspects of commercial dispute resolution, whether by court proceedings, arbitration or some form of alternative dispute resolution.  With litigators in Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as across England we cover all UK jurisdictions, and are regularly instructed on international litigation and arbitrations.

DRL comprises a number of specialist teams, including commercial litigation, financial services disputes & investigations, insurance, competition and regulatory.

With a loyal and ever increasing client base comprising FTSE Plcs, global household names and innovative start-ups, we are keen to speak with accomplished Contentious lawyers who are looking for an alternative role which will be central in helping us to achieve our ambitions.

The successful candidate will work within a team of Professional Support Lawyers supporting the Dispute Resolution & Litigation team (“DRL”). The primary focus will be in supporting the DRL team to deliver the ambitious growth strategy by assisting with the business development strategy and initiatives and ensuring all legal advisors are provided with the right resources and training in order to deliver an excellent legal product.

DRL/Firmwide Litigation Projects

To lead on DRL projects including:

• Compliance – support the Department Head in overseeing and maintaining the Divisional compliance framework.
• DRL/Firmwide Litigation Intranet: to support the maintenance and development of the intranet site to keep it up-to-date with all internal reports, guidance notes, protocols and other information as required.
• Process enhancement – support the development and implementation of IS and other process / efficiency enhancement project roll outs across the team.
• Prepare and issue monthly legal advisor update / briefings.
• Knowledge Management – working with the national Head of Knowledge Management and firm wide PSL group support the development and implementation of the national knowledge management and training strategy. 

Knowledge Management

• Know How: to support the development of the internal intranet site including knowledge bank.
• Precedents: to support the production of new and maintaining contentious precedents and know how notes. 
• Library: to support the maintenance and development of both the online and hard copy library and other reference materials as required.
• Research: to support the DRL team by being able to answer/respond to specific legal queries on client matters, ranging from straightforward questions through to larger more complicated research tasks.

Business Development

• Article production: write articles for production on own account by the PSL team and with/for other DRL partners and legal advisors.
• Technical and other presentations: support with presentations to be given by DRL partners / legal advisors either internally or externally
• Sector focus: helping legal advisors to identify trends, legislation and/or case law which could help drive the DRL business development strategy in particular focussing on our key sectors – technology, mobility, financial services and energy & infrastructure
• Client bulletins and client training; working with relevant colleagues to prepare client bulletins and to provide advice on the content of and deliver client training programmes.
• Website:  to support the DRL partners / legal advisors with the production and publication of articles on the Shoosmiths website.

Technical Legal Training

• Programme development:  to work with the DRL team to support and improve the current training programme.
• Programme delivery: to lead and deliver elements of the training programme as part of the PSL team (including but not limited to the Quarterly Legal Updates, the Developing Lawyer Programme and such other training as required).
• Inductions:  to support the delivery of the Legal Advisor induction programme.
• Annual Away Days: to support in the planning and delivery of the DRL/Litigation/Divisional/Firmwide Away Days as required.

Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.

This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.