Knowledge Paralegal - Private Client

Overview

Knowledge Team

The Knowledge team at Penningtons Manches Cooper is a collaborative, vibrant team that forms a conduit between the fee-earning and central business to deliver a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement. The Knowledge team comprises specialist lawyers (from paralegal to partner level) as well as central KM professionals providing knowledge and information services.

The team sits within the wider Best Practice department which includes specialists in risk/compliance, data governance, legal project management, document automation and innovation.

The Private Client Department

Private Client specialises in personal wealth management, UK and international tax planning and asset protection. The department advises family offices, family businesses and fiduciaries on their clients’ diverse issues as well as (U)HNW individuals such as professional sports players and entrepreneurs. We work alongside our colleagues in contentious trusts and estates and Court of Protection.

The team is recognised by all major guides to the UK legal profession and our lawyers are regularly nominated for awards by CityWealth, eprivateclient and STEP. Our full service team retains its reputation by developing long-term and trusted relationships with our clients and their advisers, understanding their objectives and working with them to deliver results. 

Responsibilities

We are looking for a Knowledge Paralegal to support the Knowledge Lawyer in the Private Client department of our Private Individuals’ Division. The Knowledge Paralegal will support the implementation of the knowledge strategy and its priorities; they will assist/support the Senior Knowledge Lawyer in Private Client, with day to day tasks which will help them to meet their departments’ requirements as well as providing more general support across the wider Division. They will serve as a point of contact for lawyers and support staff on knowledge matters, respond to enquiries and requests for support.

The Knowledge Paralegal is part of our 28 person Knowledge team. In addition to supporting the Private Client department, the role involves working and collaborating on cross-firm projects for the Private Individuals’ Division, the Private Wealth sector and the Knowledge team

Duties include:

• Legal research and assisting with legal queries raised by members of the Private Client team
• Assisting the other members of the Private Client team in providing timely updates to the Private Client department on legal and market developments
• Assisting with the maintenance and development of legal precedents (including the preparation of documents for automation)
• Supporting the organisation and delivery of the legal training programmes
• The collection, storage, maintenance and sharing of internal and external legal and market know-how
• The testing of various knowledge/legal technology tools, and assisting with implementation and training
• Liaising with our Business Development and Marketing teams, to identify written content and thought leadership pieces to help the firm achieve its strategic goals
• Keeping the intranet up to date – uploading and removing documents, updating links, correcting corrupted titles etc.
• Various tasks (conducting business analysis or fact finding) for knowledge projects
• Various day to day administrative tasks including leavers/joiners administration, training administration and assisting the members of the Private Client team to maintain the databases of external experts and assist with curating our internal resources

The firm operates a hybrid agile working policy allowing employees to work from home (or another UK location) up to 50% of their time.  Individuals can also apply for other flexible working options either at the time of recruitment or during the course of their employment.

Essential & Desirable Criteria

This role would be ideal for someone who is bright, energetic, has an eye for detail and a passion for law and business and is considering a career in law or knowledge management. Ideally, we are looking for someone with previous experience in private client and a distinct interest in advising HNW private individuals on their private client matters.

You’ll have, or be on track to have, a 2:1 degree or higher. Candidates who have completed (or who are undertaking) the CILEx qualification or who have demonstrable experience within a law firm or professional services firm will also be considered

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• IT literate, confident user of MS Office (including Excel and PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of legal and business information systems with experience of SharePoint or similar platforms would be an advantage
• Ability to work to deadlines, manage a busy workload and to report on progress
• A problem-solving approach with an ability to research and analyse areas of law and regulation with appropriate supervision
• Strong attention to accuracy and detail and well-developed analytical skills
• Collaborative, professional and able to quickly build relationships
• Helps to facilitate and support change
• Eager to learn about and champion the use of new technology and processes
• Keen and resourceful; pro-active and motivated self-starter with excellent organisational skills
• Comfortable working under pressure to tight or changing deadlines 
• Client-orientated approach – both internally and externally; ability to think laterally; appreciation of knowledge lawyer and fee earner needs and constraints; commercially aware.

At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard. You can find out more about our firm’s commitment, initiatives and Pennclusion committees here.

We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background. We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long-term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity. If you would like to request an adjustment, please contact Niamh.Madden@penningtonslaw.com