Knowledge Development Lawyer - Corporate Tax & Incentives

The Knowledge team at Charles Russell Speechlys is a highly regarded and successful function that plays a critical role in the Firm's success. Working in partnership with lawyers and business services colleagues across the Firm, the team supports technical excellence, drives innovation, improves efficiency, manages risk, develops capability and helps enable the delivery of complex, high-value work for clients. The team has a strong reputation both internally and externally and is recognised for its collaborative approach, commercial focus and commitment to continuous improvement.

Knowledge Development Lawyers (KDLs) are recognised experts within their fields. They are responsible for capturing, developing and sharing legal and practical knowledge, supporting the implementation of the Firm's Knowledge Strategy and fostering a collaborative knowledge-sharing culture. KDLs work closely with lawyers and business services colleagues across the Firm to ensure that Knowledge supports technical excellence, improves efficiency, strengthens client relationships and enhances the Firm's reputation.

This role supports the Corporate Tax & Incentives (CTI) group, a strategically important and growing practice within the Firm. The Knowledge function is led by the Associate Director of Knowledge and this role reports to the Knowledge Lead for the Business Advisory, Transactions and Services (BATS) Division.

KDLs play an active role in shaping the future of legal practice through the effective use of Knowledge, technology and AI. They contribute to innovation and business transformation projects, support the adoption of new technologies and ways of working, help embed best practice and risk management principles, and work collaboratively across the Firm to translate legal expertise into practical and scalable solutions. KDLs are actively involved in horizon scanning initiatives (to support internal and external facing activities), drafting articles, contributing to external publications and other thought leadership initiatives. It is anticipated that this aspect of the role will become increasingly important as the practice continues to develop.

The CTI group advises on a broad range of UK and international tax matters, including corporate transactions, private capital and investment funds structures, employment tax and incentives, and real estate tax matters. Recent growth in the practice, particularly in private capital and funds-related work, has created an opportunity to further develop the group's knowledge resources, training programmes and know-how infrastructure to support a scalable and profitable practice. The group is currently supported by the Tax Counsel in a Knowledge capacity for up to one day per week.

Working closely with the Knowledge Partner, Head of Group, Tax Counsel and fee-earners across the team, the KDL will play a key role in capturing, developing and sharing the group's technical expertise. The role will focus on creating practical knowledge resources, delivering training, supporting technical queries, facilitating knowledge sharing and embedding consistent and efficient ways of working across the practice. The successful candidate will help ensure that the group's knowledge resources continue to evolve in line with client demand, legal developments and strategic priorities.

The role will work in partnership with the Tax Counsel, who will continue to undertake Knowledge activities for up to one day per week alongside client-facing responsibilities. This arrangement combines current market-facing expertise with dedicated Knowledge resource and will support the continued growth and development of the CTI practice.

CTI developments are relevant to a number of practice areas across the Firm and the successful candidate will be expected to build strong relationships across departments, working collaboratively with lawyers and business services colleagues to maximise the value of Knowledge throughout the Firm. Aside from those within the formal reporting line, key relationships will include the CTI Knowledge Partner, Head of Group, Tax Counsel, Knowledge Systems & Content Manager, Research & Information Services team and KDLs across other practice areas.

Roles and Responsibilities

Knowledge Sharing

• Working collaboratively with the Knowledge Partner and key stakeholders to develop, deliver and continuously evolve the Knowledge Plan for CTI.
• Leading and inspiring knowledge sharing within CTI and fostering a strong knowledge-sharing culture across all levels of the group.
• Facilitating and leading know-how meetings to ensure legal, technical and practical developments are shared effectively across the team.
• Developing and maintaining precedents, practice notes, checklists, guidance materials, toolkits, clause banks and other knowledge assets.
• Creating practical, commercially focused and effective current awareness resources, including regular updates and bulletins.
• Monitoring legal and market developments affecting corporate tax, private capital, investment funds, asset management structures and related areas and translating these developments into practical guidance and training for the group.
• Delivering structured legal training programmes for lawyers across the group, including targeted programmes for junior lawyers.
• Supporting the technical development of lawyers through training, coaching and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Assisting fee-earners with technical queries and encouraging effective use of Knowledge resources and research tools.
• Working collaboratively with the Research & Information Services team to identify, evaluate and maximise appropriate external resources.
• Managing the legal training budget for the group.
• Supporting wider knowledge-sharing initiatives across the BATS Division and the wider Firm.

Profile Raising and Projects

• Working collaboratively with the Knowledge Partner, Business Development team, other KDLs and key stakeholders to identify opportunities to raise the profile of the group and its lawyers internally and externally.
• Supporting the production of client-facing knowledge and business development material, including articles, client alerts and thought leadership.
• Supporting innovation initiatives and trainee-led projects where appropriate.
• Contributing legal expertise and Knowledge input to strategic, operational and business transformation projects.
• Working with lawyers and business services teams to identify opportunities to improve the efficiency, consistency and scalability of legal services.
• Supporting the supervision of “Russell Up” innovation projects and other Firm initiatives as appropriate.

Technology, AI and Innovation

• Supporting the effective use of technology, AI tools and Knowledge systems within the CTI practice.
• Identifying opportunities to improve internal efficiency and client service through technology, process improvement and innovation.
• Contributing to firmwide Knowledge, AI, technology and innovation initiatives.
• Working with colleagues across the Firm to ensure Knowledge is effectively embedded within systems, processes and new ways of working.
• Supporting the adoption of new technology solutions and helping lawyers maximise the value derived from them.

General

• Comply with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Standards and Regulations, and Principles.
• Undertake such other Knowledge-related activities as may reasonably be required by the Associate Director of Knowledge, Knowledge Lead, Knowledge Partner or practice group.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Qualified solicitor with 5+ years' PQE gained in private practice.
• Strong experience of working on corporate tax matters in an advisory and transaction support capacity.
• Demonstrable interest in legal knowledge management, legal training, innovation or professional support activities.
• Experience of developing precedents, delivering training and supporting the dissemination of legal know-how.
• Strong technical research skills and experience using online legal research resources and Microsoft 365 applications.

Desirable

• Exposure to private capital tax work, including investment fund and asset management structuring, would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Previous PSL, KDL or other knowledge management experience would be advantageous but is not essential.

Person Specification

• Proven ability to operate effectively within a commercial and fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent drafting skills and attention to detail.
• Sound judgement and effective decision-making skills.
• Strong collaboration and influencing skills.
• Ability to build credibility and inspire confidence at all levels.
• Natural relationship-builder with the ability to develop effective internal and external networks.
• Proactive, organised and self-motivated.
• Strong interest in innovation, technology and continuous improvement.
• Growth mindset and willingness to embrace change.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of the drivers affecting professional services businesses.

For a detailed specification please download the job description in the documents section of this page.

Reasonable Adjustments

At Charles Russell Speechlys we are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, where candidates can perform to the best of their ability at an interview or in a test situation. At any point in the hiring process for this role, if you require a reasonable adjustment or accommodation that might assist you during the application and interview process, please reach out to the above-named contact and they will work with you to understand your requirements. For more information, please see our Workplace Reasonable Adjustments Statement.

Any information you disclose will be kept confidential unless otherwise instructed by you, and will only be used to provide appropriate support to you during our assessment process.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Charles Russell Speechlys is an Equal Opportunities Employer, and we are committed to developing an increasingly diverse, inclusive and supportive culture where everyone can be themselves, feel valued, and that they can thrive and belong. Please see here for more information on our employee-led DEI Networks.

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