Knowledge Lawyer

This is an exciting opportunity for a candidate with deep expertise in disputes to be a member of our highly successful Asia Dispute Resolution practice and our valued global Knowledge function, working in an international and diverse team, in an inclusive environment, directly contributing to the firm’s client and people strategies.

Role summary

The Knowledge Lawyer will work alongside the Hong Kong litigation and arbitration lawyers as well as working with the wider dispute resolution practice across Asia. 

Supporting the development of the practice both internally and externally will be at the heart of the Knowledge Lawyer’s role.

There is a strong external-facing aspect to this role, by identifying opportunities for client-facing knowledge, contributing to client conversations, networking with external bodies and producing thought leadership pieces etc.

The Knowledge Lawyer will bring deep expertise of this area and a willingness and ability to continue to develop in this space, with a view to:

• helping grow the business of the firm: the Knowledge lawyer will help raise the profile of the practice and strengthen client relationships by identifying opportunities for, and developing, client content, and contributing to reputation-enhancing publications and client conversations and education;
• enabling the firm to provide market-leading client service: eg tracking and sharing updates and analysis on key developments, adopting a commercially-minded and practical approach to such analysis to help our lawyers understand the impacts for clients and our work, and working closely with lawyers in the practice and other Knowledge colleagues to share relevant insights from client matters; and
• Developing the legal skills of the lawyers in the practice: through internal training and by acting as a sounding board for legal queries, in each case helping our lawyers to continue to develop within this continually evolving area of the law.

The Knowledge Lawyer will be welcomed into the wider Knowledge community, made up of Knowledge Lawyers and other Knowledge & Information specialists, led by the firm’s Co-Chief Knowledge Officers who focus on creating the framework for career satisfaction, high performance, and excellence by fostering a supportive, inclusive, innovative, collaborative and purpose-driven culture across the function.

Collaboration is key to the success of our Knowledge function we work closely with colleagues with other specialisms eg, marketing and business development, innovation and learning and development.

Key responsibilities

Helping grow the business of the firm and strengthen client relationships

• Keep up to date on what is happening in the relevant practice area and help relevant stakeholders identify and pursue business opportunities and raise profile in accordance with the firm’s strategy and priorities – including fostering their own internal and external networks.
• Drive the practice’s approach to the market by identifying opportunities for client-facing knowledge products and thought leadership, writing blogs, briefings and other client content, and contributing to larger publications and articles, in all cases demonstrating the practice’s leading-edge legal technical capability and market awareness.
• Play a key role in client relationships by developing and, where appropriate, delivering, client training, seminars and talking points. There is a strong external-facing aspect to this role and the Knowledge Lawyer should have a good understanding of and a strong interest in the sector.

Enabling the firm’s lawyers to provide market-leading client service

• Monitor key legal developments and disseminate to lawyers in the practice – always considering the impact on internal knowledge products, profile raising and business development potential
• Work with partners and other senior stakeholders to develop house views & develop and update internal knowledge products (eg guidance notes or checklists)
• Capture insights from client mandates, being able to draw out trends and themes and share internally, and reflect them as needed in internal knowledge products or internal training.

Developing the legal skills of the firm’s lawyers

• Act as an internal advisor/consultant to lawyers working in the practice, understanding the developments and acting as a trusted sounding board on complex points.
• Working with other colleagues, to design, deliver and contribute (and to engage lawyers in the practice at all levels in delivering and contributing) to relevant training sessions.

International outlook and networking

• Have an international outlook and share information and connect with colleagues.
• Build relationships and networks across the international practice
• Work with other Knowledge colleagues to coordinate work, minimise duplication, manage risk, share practical tips and ensure that work product is optimised.

Key requirements

Experience and qualifications

• Qualified Hong Kong lawyer with a strong academic background.
• A high level of relevant successful experience working as a lawyer in an international setting, including demonstrable experience in complex Hong Kong litigation and international arbitration.
• Experience working as a Knowledge or Professional Support lawyer is desirable but not essential. Training will be provided for those transitioning into a Knowledge role for the first time.

The individual

The candidate will:

• Have a very sound knowledge of law and practice in the field of litigation and arbitration. Some exposure to investigations and compliance work is highly desirable but not a pre-requisite.
• Understand the regulatory, legal and commercial challenges companies face when facing litigation in the Hong Kong Courts or engaged in international arbitration in Asia.
• Have a growth mindset, a positive approach to managing change and be a self-starter.
• Have the aspiration and commitment to continuously acquire, build on and share knowledge, acting as a Knowledge champion and a role model.
• Be willing and able to take ownership of projects and drive them forward.
• Have a strong technology skills set, including a good understanding of new technologies, and an approach that fosters innovation.
• Have excellent oral communication skills, including strong presentation skills, and strong written communication skills in legal drafting and when writing in other styles, with the ability to judge content, style and tone for written work as appropriate to the audience.
• Be a team player who builds effective relationships at all levels, recognised and respected by partners and other fee earners and by other Knowledge colleagues.  As part of our core values, demonstrate a collaborative, positive approach when working with others. 
• Have sound judgment, be able to establish a high level of credibility with others and act as a sounding board for other lawyers in the practice and Knowledge colleagues. Demonstrate an ability to identify the key elements of complex problems, directing colleagues to appropriate legal or market source materials, and considering the practical nature of advice when proposing a solution, including the risks. Be able to support lawyers in their decision-making process on challenging issues, participating confidently in the analysis as a trusted adviser.
• Have strong networking skills and the ability to create and maintain relationships both internally and externally, and identify opportunities for collaboration.

Equal Opportunity Policy
We are an equal opportunities employer and consider job applicants on their merits. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background.