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

This role can be based in any of our Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, Manchester, Norwich or Oxford offices 

What does the role involve?

We need a qualified solicitor with deep legal understanding of the corporate market and sector to provide technical, know-how, training and professional support to the lawyers who work in our Corporate & Commercial National Service Line (NSL) and specifically in the corporate team.  Primarily, the role involves working with our existing corporate PSL, Tracey Atkins, to provide technical legal support to our corporate lawyers and clients, through the provision of internal and external training, updates and briefings, technical advice and assistance, management of know-how and identifying opportunities for new or enhanced services resulting from changes to laws or trends in the marketplace.  In addition, the role might involve contributions to thought leadership campaigns, market insights, blogs and articles for clients and the wider marketplace.

The role is a national one.  You can be based in any of our offices (except London) but occasional travel between offices and facetime with corporate lawyers will be required.

This should be read in conjunction with the generic role profile which details the main responsibilities of all our Professional Support Lawyers (PSLs). 

What are the working hours?

We are looking for a full-time commitment, but there is flexibility as to how that is delivered.

Who will I be working with?

You will work very closely with our existing corporate PSL, reporting to her and to the Corporate NSL Leader ( Kevin Lowe), Corporate Team Leader ( James Hunter) and other Partners who will set objectives and provide day to day guidance as appropriate. On a strategic level you will work closely with the Knowledge, Learning & Development team, led by  Trevor Comyn who will provide strategic direction and co-ordination of resources across the firm. You will work closely with lawyers in Corporate and other PSLs across the firm.

Why should I apply?

This is a great opportunity to use your skills and experience as a corporate lawyer in a non-fee-earning role.  You will work for a firm which has been named for a record 20th year running as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in The Sunday Times’ annual survey and is the only UK law firm to have achieved this.  We are also delighted to have been named by RollonFriday as one of the top law firms in the UK for the sixth year running.  Our national corporate practice is ranked in the Top 10 by Experian for the number of deals we have advised on.

Main duties and responsibilities 

You will be responsible for:

• collaborating with our existing corporate PSL and other PSLs, Knowledge, Learning & Development and other key stakeholders
• creating, updating and maintaining corporate precedents and other materials and know-how
• researching legal topics and writing internal and external briefings and articles
• advising and assisting our corporate lawyers with technical legal queries
• arranging and presenting legal updates and training sessions, both internally to our corporate lawyers and externally to our corporate clients
• working with our corporate lawyers to develop materials to be used with clients in pitches and tenders, in business development and with client care responsibilities
• undertaking original research to identify trends and themes in the market
• researching developments in law, policy, and technology relevant to the corporate practice area and clients
• working up new or enhanced services based on research and understanding of our clients

What experience is required?

You will be an experienced corporate lawyer with a great understanding of (and interest in) technical legal and commercial issues, as well as market trends for corporate lawyers and their clients.

What skills and attributes would I need?

• Technically proficient with experience of a professional support role, or equivalent and relevant experience in a fee-earning role.
• Experienced in researching and developing content and confident in communicating thought leadership and technical legal insights through multiple channels, e.g. written, video, virtual and live events.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written English with ability to produce clear, concise and engaging written materials
• Excellent IT skills and enthusiasm to develop understanding of AI and other 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.

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 and security clearance

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.