Knowledge Development Lawyer - Litigation & Regulatory (Global Construction Disputes)

We now have an opportunity to appoint an experienced lawyer to join our Litigation & Regulatory Knowledge Management team as a Knowledge Development Lawyer with a focus. The main purpose of the role is to:

• Support the construction disputes team
• Support the Global construction disputes team
• Play a leadership role in the development and growth of the Global construction disputes business
• Support the Litigation & Regulatory Group's Knowledge strategy and the firm's overarching Knowledge approach
• Enhance the quality of the team’s legal practice and to be a role model for technical knowledge, skill, and advisory techniques in the Group
• Champion the firm’s vision for Knowledge across the Group providing structure, support and insight to help grow the team

While prior experience as a Knowledge Lawyer is desirable, we also welcome applications from individuals with the appropriate background who are transitioning from a fee-earning role into the Knowledge environment. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of background and work within an agile working policy to allow flexibility across home and office working.

Main duties and responsibilities

The local element of the role includes:

• Working with the construction disputes team, via a training committee, to design and deliver a training programme of monthly internal training, including junior and whole team training
• Delivering a twice-yearly programme of construction trainee training and presenting several of the sessions
• Organising construction disputes training days a year, one in London, one in Manchester
• Assisting with queries on construction law, contract law, construction contracts, adjudication and construction dispute resolution generally
• Providing internal updates - including review of recent cases, regulatory developments and external training offers
• Assisting partners and associates with ideas for and materials for conferences and client training, updating client training menu and storing materials for re-use
• Advising on negotiation of Terms and Conditions with expert witnesses
• Liaising with external experts and Barristers on training opportunities
• Drafting, managing, and updating construction disputes Knowledge documents on various internal platforms
• Working with the firms' Trainee Lawyers to produce and edit a monthly Case Law update
• Collaborating with sector groups and knowledge lawyers from other teams including Real Estate Construction, Projects, and Planning. Including providing Knowledge input to the ICT leadership
• Maintaining relationships with external bodies
• Managing construction disputes library, journal resources and memberships

The international element of this role includes:

• Working with the Co-Chairs of Global Construction Disputes group and Marketing & Business Development to plan and deliver global construction activities
• Working as part of the Litigation and Regulatory Knowledge team, assisting with Litigation and Arbitration queries
• Working as part of a team to deliver client-facing Global Construction newsletter
• Attending and providing updates at monthly Global Construction team meetings
• Assisting with organisation and delivery of global training day, including suggesting topics, attending, and presenting
• Contributing to thought leadership pieces including proposing, drafting, and editing articles
• Liaising with other jurisdictions (particularly Middle East) re training, experts database, articles and completion of CLPD forms
• Involvement in other global construction activities including DLA Piper conferences, suggesting international conferences, international journals
• Sharing knowledge, best practice and training across the Group and the DLA Knowledge community
• Working, as relevant with the professionals in our Electronic Data Management, Law & AI teams to help develop and promote best practice in legal disputes process and in use of disputes tools and technology
• Attending external training conferences to keep up to date with relevant developments in the law, business environment and Knowledge

About you

• Preferably arbitration experience
• Excellent technical academic credentials and broad in-depth relevant practical experience
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to connect, influence and collaborate in a multi-cultural environment across multiple geographies
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Highly organised and able to co-ordinate and deliver projects
• Experience of developing knowledge resources and delivering training
• Knowledge of black letter law
• Ability to work with the Head of Knowledge, other Knowledge Development Lawyers, the Partners and Marketing & Business Development teams to identify and develop new client products, insights, and training
• Ability to assess competing priorities and provide solutions to address them

We would be pleased to consider applications from individuals from a private practice or in-house background as well as established Professional Support/Knowledge professionals.

About us

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers and business service professionals 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

• 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 recognise 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.

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits and where relevant, 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 work-related references.

Requesting Adjustments

At DLA Piper, we aim to make meaningful progress and build an inclusive culture where anyone affected by disability, neurodiversity or a long-term health condition has an equitable and accessible chance of success. If you think you may need adjustments or additional support to enable you to participate in our recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team and we will be happy to support you.

Agile Working

We recognise 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.

Our hiring approach

Our hiring approach enables us to learn about the professional and person you are, and gives you the opportunity to learn about us. Your recruitment experience can differ depending on the type of role you are interviewing for. You will always meet your direct Line Manager for your role, as well as peers and close collaborators for the position. For some of our roles we may also use assessment tools, practical exercises, and panel presentations. Your Recruitment Business Partner will inform you of the recruitment process at the start of any recruitment process, but please let us know if you have any questions prior to making an application.

We’re redefining what an international law firm can be. With a unique global network and an unparalleled range of expertise, this is where you’ll work on the cases that shape the world and will define your career. Staying in touch with like-minded people is important to us. Our Talent Community provides unique access to our firm so you can discover why we are a different kind of law firm. We pride ourselves on the extraordinary impact we make beyond the borders of traditional law. That’s only possible because of the skills our business professionals bring and the environment we create to let them thrive. See where your skills could take you.