Professional Support Lawyer - Commercial - Any Office (except London)

This role can be based out of our Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, Manchester, Norwich or Oxford office. 

What does the role involve?

We are looking for a qualified solicitor to join our team of Commercial Professional Support Lawyers (PSL). PSLs are responsible for providing legal support to our lawyers and clients, through the provision of internal and external training, updates and briefings, technical advice and the management and promotion of know-how.

The fee-earners in Commercial undertake a wide variety of work. We are particularly interested in applicants who could support in one or more of the following areas:

• Commercial contract law
• Outsourcing
• Projects and public-private partnerships
• Information law, data protection and privacy
• Information technology.

You will work closely with the team in your specialist area(s) and become an integral part of it. You will also support on business development projects with a knowledge or training angle.

The role is a national one.  You can choose to be based in any of our regional offices (therefore excluding London), but occasional travel between offices will be required.

What are the working hours?

We are open to discuss the number of hours committed per week and there is flexibility as to how that is delivered. We encourage interest from applicants who would prefer to work on a part-time basis.

Who will I be working with?

You will work closely with the partners and lawyers in the Commercial team, as well as other PSLs in the department and across the firm.  Rhian Vandrill, Commercial Team Leader will set objectives and provide guidance. You will also work with the firmwide Knowledge, Learning & Development (KLD) team to ensure the work of the Commercial PSLs is aligned with the firm’s strategy.

Why should I apply?

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skillset and join an expanding, diverse Commercial team. You can help find innovative ways to deliver and define the knowledge function within the firm and will be working for an ambitious Commercial practice with an impressive array of public and private sector clients.

Main duties and responsibilities 

You will be responsible for:

• Researching and keeping up to date with developments in law and policy relevant to the Commercial team  
• Sharing knowledge with lawyers to help them with their business development and client care responsibilities, including writing briefings, practice notes and guidance documents
• Providing/organising internal training sessions and know-how updates to fee-earners
• Delivering/organising bespoke client training and knowledge resources
• Answering ad-hoc queries and providing advice to lawyers within the firm and, at times, supporting lawyers in their client work
• Writing and promoting knowledge content to help build the firm’s profile
• Contributing to the development of business opportunities for the Firm by helping develop know-how products that meet the needs of our clients
• Collaborating with other professional support lawyers and the wider KLD team and supporting cross-firm learning and development initiatives

What experience is required?

You will be a Commercial lawyer with a minimum of 5 years’ post qualification experience.  We are open to applications from existing PSLs, from fee earners who are looking to move into a PSL role and from others with a strong background of sharing knowledge. 

What skills and attributes do I need?

• Strong legal technical ability with a keen interest in black letter law
• Commercial acumen and the ability to analyse how legal changes will affect the market and our clients
• Commitment to thought leadership and to the creation and maintenance of a strong knowledge function
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of presenting on technical legal issues to colleagues and/or clients
• Excellent written English, including the ability to produce clear and engaging written materials
• Good IT skills and enthusiasm to develop an understanding of new technologies
• Willingness to adapt and learn

What else should I know?

Mills & Reeve is a major UK law firm renowned for its outstanding service to national and international clients, for its collaborative culture and for its deep sector expertise.  What really sets Mills & Reeve apart from other law firms is the way we work with our clients.  We understand that clients, in the 21st century, no longer want a traditional law firm – they want one that embraces forward thinking approaches to service, billing, commercial know-how, innovation, people management and community engagement.

Pre-employment screening

Please note that, in the event that we make an offer for a role, we will conduct pre-employment screening that includes, but is not limited to, a basic DBS check, right to work check, any disciplinary history recorded with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and a self-declaration to assess your character and suitability for the role.  A full policy of the screening the firm undertakes is available on request.

Disclosure and barring service check

This post is also subject to a satisfactory response from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (to check for any previous criminal convictions and cautions) and, given the nature of the work-type, you may also be required to undergo national security vetting to SC level – the latter can be undertaken following commencement of employment. 

And finally

Mills & Reeve is committed to building a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive environment in which all our people can thrive. We hire people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our firm stronger, and we have a collaborative culture that celebrates different perspectives and values respect for one another, working together, and openness and integrity. Our approach to flexible working means that we work in a way that achieves the right balance for our people, our clients and for our business.