At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI and legal tech initiatives, driving innovation and knowledge management across the firm.
- Company: Join Bates Wells, a purpose-driven law firm committed to social impact and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Be part of an award-winning team with a focus on people, planet, and profit.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in legal tech while championing responsible AI adoption.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer or legal knowledge manager with a passion for AI and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
This job is with Bates Wells, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. We’re an award-winning, purpose-driven City law firm. We were the first UK law firm to become a B Corp and are the highest scoring global law firm in the B Corp community. Globally recognised as the market-leading UK firm for charities and purpose-driven organisations, our commercial teams are also using law as a force for good and driving change from the inside out. Our values are key to our success, and you’ll be able to make a real impact from day one. Come and join the firm who have a standout and authentic commitment to a triple bottom line, where we’ll never prioritise profit over people and planet.
The Role: A strategically critical, cross-functional role combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. You will act as the single accountable owner, working with senior members of our IT team, for the end-to-end development, testing and implementation of AI and legal tech use cases, alongside leading our firm-wide knowledge strategy and systems. Core focuses are to accelerate the practical and responsible adoption of AI and legal tech in legal service delivery, and reinvigorate knowledge management so it is consistently high quality, relevant, easy to access and embedded into everyday workflows. You will collaborate closely with stakeholders across the practice and Business Team, particularly IT, to drive innovation, efficiency and client value.
Key Responsibilities
- Work collaboratively with the practice and business team to develop and deliver a firm-wide legal tech and AI strategy, balancing experimentation with robust governance, including contributing to a cross-functional AI Steering Group.
- Identify, prioritise and manage AI and automation use cases aligned to client value, efficiency, quality and risk management in legal service delivery.
- Lead pilots for technology-assisted legal documents and processes, building business cases and recommendations for scale and impact.
- Develop and evolve confident client messaging on our use of AI.
- Contribute to thoughtful consideration of return on investment, pricing and profitability.
- Work with the practice, IT Training and User Engagement Manager, and Standards and Audit Manager to champion effective use of knowledge, AI and legal tech tools (existing and future), driving adoption and value.
- Contribute to training and guidance that supports lawyers to adopt and evolve new ways of working while maintaining professional standards.
- Work with Heads of Department, Knowledge Lawyers/Champions and Business Team colleagues to develop and deliver a firm-wide knowledge strategy, including legal knowhow, training, sector insights, scopes, credentials and resources.
- Establish and maintain data quality, relevance and governance standards, recognising that effective KM and AI depend on high-quality, up-to-date content.
- Take an evidence-based approach to knowledge management across teams, recognising differing needs across practice areas.
- Strengthen the connection between knowledge, legal delivery and BD/CRM activity, and make recommendations for market-facing innovation.
- Review and lead the Knowledge Champions group, including agenda setting and chairing meetings.
- Provide senior leadership, coordination and development of Knowledge Lawyer roles and the Standards and Audit Manager (via dotted reporting lines).
- Work with the practice and IT team to improve knowledge sharing processes, enabling fast, intuitive access to a high-quality knowledge repository.
- Act as joint project owner for a new centralised KM system (requirements gathering, vendor selection, content migration, rollout and adoption).
- Explore opportunities to embed knowledge into systems lawyers use day to day to increase engagement and knowledge sharing.
Essential About You
- Qualified lawyer with significant experience in practice, or a strong legal knowledge management background.
- Senior experience in a commercial law firm or equivalent professional services environment.
- Genuine passion for and expertise in legal technology and AI in a regulated context.
- Understanding of emerging legal technologies and their practical application.
- Experience managing the full lifecycle of innovation, from idea and business case through to pilot, production and adoption.
- Experience working with generative AI tools and delivering real AI and automation use cases.
- Experience applying AI governance and ethical standards, including risk assessment and compliance considerations.
- Strong understanding of data quality, data structures and data governance.
- Experience working with IT teams to ensure integration with systems, security and data protection standards.
- Collaborative working style with the ability to understand how lawyers work in practice.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to develop and deliver long-term knowledge and innovation strategy.
- Sound judgement, pragmatism and commercial awareness, focused on value creation.
- Strong influencing skills with the confidence to engage partners and junior lawyers alike.
- Experience leading organisational change and driving adoption of new systems and tools.
- Ability to build relationships quickly and work autonomously with key stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, solution-focused approach and ability to operate in an environment of experimentation and continuous improvement.
- Clear and persuasive communicator able to simplify complex concepts.
- Understanding of changing client needs and ability to develop innovative client-facing solutions.
Desirable
- Experience leading complex cross-functional projects, including KM systems or major tech transformation.
- Strong understanding of the business model of a modern law firm or similar professional services environment.
Senior AI, Innovation and Knowledge Lawyer or Manager employer: myGwork - LGBTQ+ Business Community
Bates Wells is an award-winning, purpose-driven City law firm that prioritises people and the planet over profit, making it an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful work. With a strong commitment to innovation and a collaborative work culture, employees have ample opportunities for professional growth and development, particularly in the exciting fields of AI and legal technology. Located in the heart of London, Bates Wells offers a unique environment where you can make a real impact from day one while being part of a diverse and inclusive community.
Contact Details:
myGwork - LGBTQ+ Business Community Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior AI, Innovation and Knowledge Lawyer or Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Bates Wells on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into their values and recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely excited about their mission and how you can contribute to their innovative approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your experience with AI and legal tech in a way that highlights how it aligns with their goals. Use specific examples to demonstrate your expertise and passion.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Bates Wells.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior AI, Innovation and Knowledge Lawyer or Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI and Legal Tech:Make sure to highlight your genuine enthusiasm for legal technology and AI in your application. We want to see how you can bring innovation to the table and drive change in our firm.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter! Take the time to tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the role. We love seeing candidates who understand our values and mission.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your key achievements and experiences shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Bates Wells!
How to prepare for a job interview at myGwork - LGBTQ+ Business Community
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in AI and legal tech. Bates Wells is all about innovation, so be ready to discuss how you've applied these technologies in your previous roles. Show them you’re not just familiar with the tools, but that you understand their impact on legal service delivery.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires working closely with various teams, so highlight your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked with IT or other departments to drive projects forward. They want to see that you can build relationships and influence others.
✨Emphasise Your Strategic Mindset
Bates Wells values strategic thinking, so come prepared to discuss how you've developed and implemented long-term strategies in your past roles. Think about specific instances where your strategic approach led to successful outcomes, especially in knowledge management or innovation.
✨Be Ready for Ethical Discussions
Given the focus on responsible AI use, be prepared to talk about ethical considerations in legal tech. Discuss any frameworks or governance models you've worked with, and how you ensure compliance and risk management in your projects. This will show that you take the ethical implications seriously.
