Job description

We are currently recruiting for a Knowledge Lawyer or Senior Knowledge Lawyer to join our Corporate department on a permanent basis.

Department purpose

A&O advises across the broad spectrum of corporate work including public takeovers, private M&A, private equity, ECM, complex joint ventures and corporate restructurings, as well as on general commercial, antitrust and corporate governance issues. We are a truly global adviser with an enviable geographic footprint. Our corporate team spans all of our offices and works seamlessly with a global community of relationship law firms. This platform provides our clients with the confidence that they will receive the highest quality advice in both their domestic markets and as they expand into new territories.

Our consistently high rankings in the corporate league tables highlight the strength of our practice. Cross-border work is where we excel and the majority of our transactions have a multi-jurisdictional focus. Strong teamwork and efficient working practices and uniform approaches enable us to manage cross-border deals effectively and seamlessly.

Role purpose

The role as a Knowledge Lawyer in our corporate team requires up-to-date technical knowledge of company law, the listing rules and market practice. The successful candidate will be part of our broader Corporate Know-How Team, with particular responsibility for client publications, and for supporting our listed company practice and our equity capital markets practice. The role-holder will work closely with the partners and other fee earners in a busy, friendly and supportive team with responsibility for developing and delivering on a client publication strategy for the corporate team, as well as managing our listed company and ECM resources, know-how and training, and keeping the team informed of regulatory and market changes in the rapidly evolving listed company and ECM space. They will be proactive in identifying issues on which the team and its clients need to be briefed, and able to pitch those briefings at the right level for the relevant audience. The ability to start a project and see it through to completion, together with a commitment to meeting regular deadlines, are essential qualities to maintain the smooth running of our range of added value services.

The role demands both creative thinking and efficient working: alongside our in-house specialists, the role-holder will have the opportunity to produce exceptional, innovative client products and events to enhance our brand. They will also have an important role in facilitating the day-to-day working of the corporate team through training, meetings and technical support. They should have a keen awareness of the wider commercial and corporate landscape, combined with an eye for operational detail and legaltech opportunities.

Allen & Overy’s Knowledge Lawyers are highly regarded members of the teams they support within our international network. The Knowledge Lawyer role offers flexibility and good work/life balance and this particular role can be either full or part time, with a combination of in office and at home working.

Key relationships

• Corporate Know-How Team/Knowledge Lawyers
• ECM partners and other fee earners
• Other Corporate partners and fee earners
• Corporate Business Development/PR teams
• Wider A&O Know-How community

Role and responsibilities

Legal knowledge

• Corporate legal knowledge (including of the regulatory framework applying to listed companies) and experience of advising on corporate and ECM transactions.

Principal areas of responsibility

• Develop and deliver on a client publication strategy for the corporate team
• Under general guidance about priorities, produce and maintain high quality documentation to provide partners and associates with cost effective and timely precedents which help progress client business.
• Prepare effective guidance material such as practice notes to enable colleagues to access material which is fully up to date with law and practice.
• Prepare updates in line with legal developments to inform colleagues and clients of implications.
• Respond accurately, usefully and in a timely way to specific requests from partners and associates on complex legal matters within own area of expertise.
• As requested, research legal or client/market related material to provide senior colleagues with clear and authoritative analyses.
• Support partners and associates as required in their client relationship development through preparing and/or identifying useful written, electronic and training materials.
• Gather, synthesise and produce good quality, up to date and readable material for inclusion in the firm’s opinion pieces.
• Assist and when necessary, participate, in important Practice projects designed to ensure A&O’s knowledge base and documentation is maintained in line with new legislation, regulation, significant case law etc.
• Participate in the design and delivery of training programmes to inform colleagues and clients about current law, legal developments and implications.
• Maintain and develop own knowledge of law, practice areas, clients and current issues to grow expertise, reputation and usefulness to A&O.
• Identify and collaborate on legal tech opportunities for the practice.

Key requirements

• Qualified lawyer – minimum of three years PQE.
• Technical competence in corporate law and corporate transactional experience as expected at level of qualification.
• An understanding of the regulatory regime applicable to listed companies and experience of advising on corporate and ECM transactions.
• Self-starter with the desire and ability to continuously acquire, build upon and share knowledge.
• Will have worked successfully as a Knowledge Lawyer or transactional associate in a leading law firm, or as an in-house lawyer at a listed company.
• Ability to work with senior figures within a complex international organisation.
• Strong commercial/business acumen with the ability to deliver creative, innovative and pragmatic solutions and advice.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface at all levels and particularly to win the respect of the partner, fee-earner and Knowledge Lawyer community, building and developing strong (internal and external) client relationships.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to develop and work in a fast paced, intellectually rigorous environment
• Enjoys both the operational and strategic sides of this role and shows great flexibility.
• A person of sound judgment, able to establish a high level of credibility in the organisation and act as a trusted advisor to fee-earners.

Additional information - External

Allen & Overy is a leading global law firm operating in over thirty countries. We work on some of the most challenging and important deals and have built a reputation for delivering exceptional legal solutions that help our clients grow, innovate and thrive. The legal industry is changing, and we're committed to leading that change, putting our people first, embracing new ways of thinking and integrating technology into our everyday work. Our business teams work hand-in-hand with our lawyers, Consultants and other specialist teams, and are ambitious, driven and leaders in their field.

With us, you will constantly be learning and growing. We invest in you by offering exceptional professional and personal development – providing training, mentoring and practical support. We offer rewarding careers that are built around your strengths and designed to ensure you can achieve your personal and professional goals, recognising that those may look different for everyone.

We have a powerful commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We’re determined to play our part in advancing a workplace where progress is made by harnessing our differences – whatever defines you, we ask you to bring your whole self to work.

What truly defines a career at Allen & Overy? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. We provide challenge, support and a place for you to belong. And together we excel, working on meaningful projects of global significance.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of Allen & Overy’s recruitment team who will work with you to provide any reasonable adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

At Allen & Overy, we recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

Allen & Overy recognises the value of flexible working and embraces hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do however remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together. If you would like additional flexibility we will of course consider this in line with business needs.