The role

The IPT Group at DLA Piper is an important part of the firm with an impressive global footprint. The IPT Group is divided into 6 specialised sub-groups: (1) Trade Marks, Media and Copyright; (2) Patent Litigation; (3) Commercial Contracts; (4) Tech and Sourcing (T&S); (5) Data, Digital and Cybersecurity and (6) AI. The IPT Knowledge team underpins and supports the Group’s success through a number of experienced Knowledge Development Lawyers working together as a team, each supporting one or more sub-groups within the practice. 

Our AI sub-group was formed in June 2023 and comprises lawyers from the other five sub-groups who have an interest in Artificial Intelligence. 

As part of the firm’s commitment to quality, training and knowledge development, the Group wishes to recruit an additional AI Knowledge Development Lawyer. This role will support the Head of Knowledge, the Senior Tech & Sourcing and Commercial Contracts Knowledge Lawyer and the wider IPT Group to maintain its profile with clients and in the market generally.

The purpose of the role is to:

• Support the AI sub-group in the UK and internationally.
• Support the firm’s AI Working Group.
• Support the Tech & Sourcing sub-group with the Senior Tech & Sourcing and Commercial Contracts KDL.
• Support the International IPT Group’s overall business strategy and the Tech & Sourcing sub-group’s strategy.
• Monitor legal and technological developments in AI and other topics relevant to T&S.
• Help to develop new products for our clients and internal efficiencies.
• Enhance the quality of the IPT team’s legal advice and be a role model for technical knowledge, skill and practice in the IPT Group.
• Champion the firm’s vision for Knowledge in AI, Tech and across the International IPT Group.
• Assist in the development of thought leadership and internal and client training.
• Maintain, develop, and update precedents and other Knowledge materials.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The role will involve:

• Working closely with the Head of Knowledge for IPT, the Senior Tech & Sourcing and Commercial KDL, the IPT partners, the IPT Knowledge Partners, and our Marketing and Business Development function to identify issues affecting our clients and produce forward thinking thought leadership and client alerts. 
• Ensuring that our lawyers are kept aware of legal, regulatory, and commercial developments and providing analysis of the impact of significant developments and how they will affect the AI and T&S practice’s business and its clients and developing ideas as to the kinds of activities which the group should be undertaking to capitalise upon them.
• Identifying, developing, and maintaining the knowledge resources required for the AI and T&S practices to deliver high quality services to their clients efficiently, such as precedents, automated documents (where appropriate), technical advice memos and practical know-how guidance.
• Capturing and promoting sharing of Knowledge and expertise from the T&S practice, the AI working group and the AI sub-group’s lawyers through the firm’s Knowledge Hub.
• Supporting the IPT Group’s training programme, which will include preparing and updating training materials, delivery of some training sessions (internally and to clients) and supporting fee earners to deliver training.
• Working with the IPT and the central Knowledge Services team to ensure the AI and T&S practices have access to the external databases and information resources they need.
• Acting as a “sounding board” and supporting the IPT partners and other fee earners with legal research and other queries as appropriate.
• Sharing knowledge best practice and training across the Group in the UK and internationally.
• Working closely with the other KDLs whose practices touch on AI such as Data and IP.
• Interfacing with the Marketing and Business Development teams.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Excellent academic credentials with a strong technology law and contract drafting background and interest in AI. 
• Several years’ experience practising as a qualified lawyer. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to connect, influence and collaborate at all levels across multiple geographies and practices.
• Pro-active. A self-starter who can also take direction.
• Innovative. Ability to work with the Head of Knowledge, other KDLs, the partners and Marketing & Business Development teams to identify and develop new client products, insights and training.
• Highly organised and able to co-ordinate and deliver projects in a timely way.
• Ability to assess competing priorities and provide solutions to address them.
• Experience of developing knowledge resources and delivering training.

We would be pleased to consider applications from individuals either currently working in practice or already working in a PSL or Knowledge Development role. 

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

In everything we do connected with our People, our Clients and our Communities, we live by these 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.

HYBRID 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 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.