We are seeking to recruit a legal technology & innovation executive into our knowledge, innovation and legal technology group.

The firm

We are a distinctive London-based law firm, focused on our clients and on delivering excellence in the international legal market.

We are large enough to advise on the most complex matters, giving you the opportunity to work for big brand clients on challenging transactions.  We are also small enough to be able to give you greater responsibility in close-knit teams.  The size of the firm and its culture means that everyone knows each other and people are approachable and supportive. 

We are a firm which relies on the quality of its people and their experience; this is what distinguishes us from our larger competitors and enhances our reputation for solving our clients' most complex legal issues.

Our focus is to foster an inclusive culture throughout the firm, from entry level to partnership.  It is about recruiting, retaining and promoting all staff in the firm fairly, and we strive to ensure that everyone has the same chance to develop and advance.  An inclusive, forward-thinking culture also enables us to provide innovative solutions to our clients.

The team

The legal technology & innovation executive will play a key role in the legal technology & innovation (“LT&I”) team, working alongside the firm’s central knowledge management (“KM”) and information services (“IS”) teams, as well as its fee earners across a variety of practice groups.

The LT&I, KM and IS teams together form the wider knowledge, innovation & legal technology (“KI&LT”) group.

As a firm, we are committed to ensuring that we are at the forefront of how new technologies, processes and solutions are utilised in a legal practice context.  The work of the KI&LT group is broadly divided across three areas:

• LT&I team - responsible for exploring and implementing innovative solutions across the firm, including in relation to artificial intelligence and data analytics, automated precedents and processes, legal process and project management, e-signing and proof-reading support;
• KM team - supports the effective management of the firm’s knowledge through the use of knowledge technologies and systems and by working closely with partners, professional support lawyers and staff on knowledge sharing and collaboration initiatives; and
• IS team - responsible for managing the firm’s hardcopy and online legal information resources, providing an enquiry service answering research enquiries and undertaking both legal and company research on behalf of fee earners.

The role

The role will provide support to the LT&I team, including:

• supporting the implementation and management of client innovation products and services;
• creating and updating automated precedents using the firm’s document automation software, Contract Express;
• supporting the implementation of legal technology solutions using HighQ Collaborate and configuring existing sites;
• supporting the use of the firm’s artificial intelligence software, Kira, across a variety of practice areas, assisting with administering projects and training the AI;
• assisting in exploring new innovative technologies and considering their potential use by the firm;
• providing advice and support to users on how to use our technology solutions and platforms;
• helping to test and maintain the firm's legal technology systems, in particular when new features/functionality are added to these systems;
• helping to create and keep up-to-date user guides and training materials (including e-learning) on how to use the firm's legal technology systems;
• supporting fee earner collaboration and engagement with our technologies and promoting an innovation culture across the firm, including assisting with workshops, training sessions and attending meetings as appropriate;
• running statistical usage reports and analysis of the firm’s legal technology systems; and
• pro-actively communicating between the central LT&I, KM and IS teams and practice areas.

Please note that the job description is not exhaustive and may vary in line with changes in the team’s objectives and firm’s policy.

The candidate

The right candidate will be committed to providing high quality support to the LT&I team.  The individual will be personable and quickly able to gain the trust and confidence of KI&LT colleagues and lawyers across the firm.  Enthusiasm, accuracy and professionalism must be demonstrated.

Ideally the candidate will have:

• a keen interest in legal technology and its application to legal practice.  Whilst legal education and/or previous experience of working in a law firm is not essential, the candidate must be able to demonstrate the motivation and initiative to develop a solid understanding of the firm’s work and its client base;
• an undergraduate degree, similar higher education or equivalent experience;
• an organised, meticulous and methodical approach to work and a keen eye for detail;
• good problem-solving and analytical skills;
• an aptitude for using technology and be highly computer literate, including familiarity with MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and typical office IT systems generally;
• excellent written and oral communication;
• the ability to be self-motivated, disciplined, take a pro-active stance, work flexibly and independently following appropriate instruction or in a team, and take responsibility for the work product delivered;
• a forward thinking approach to identify opportunities for solutions;
• a positive “can-do” attitude with the ability to work with complicated and unfamiliar concepts;
• effective time management skills, in particular the ability to follow deadlines, manage priorities and report on progress to other members of the team;
• ability to understand instructions and ask for clarity when necessary; and
• effective interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with people at all levels in a confident and personable manner.

Please note that training will be provided on all legal technology systems used.  Knowledge of the solutions mentioned is desirable, but not essential.

Our commitment to inclusion

At Macfarlanes we understand the importance of an inclusive culture, the continued development of which has been identified as one of our key priorities.  Our focus is to foster an inclusive culture throughout the firm, from entry level to partnership.  It is about recruiting, retaining and promoting all groups in the firm fairly, and we are continually reviewing our processes to ensure that everyone has the same chance to develop and advance.  An inclusive, forward-thinking culture also enables us to provide innovative solutions to our clients.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, bringing different perspectives and experiences, making Macfarlanes an exciting and stimulating place to work.  We seek to recruit the best candidates, regardless of gender, race or ethnicity, background, religion, physical abilities, sexual orientation or any other characteristic.