Knowledge Strategy Lawyer

Knowledge Strategy Lawyer

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has forged a reputation as one of the most prestigious law firms in the world. Relying on innovation, intellect, teamwork and tenacity, our lawyers deliver the highest quality advice and novel solutions to our clients' legal issues. We are known for handling the most complex transactions, litigation/controversy issues, and regulatory matters, as well as for the strong partnerships we build with clients and each other. Our attorneys, who reflect a broad range of experiences and perspectives, work together seamlesslyacross 50-plus practices and 21 offices in the world's major financial centers.

We are seeking a Knowledge Strategy Lawyer to join our Firm. This position will be based in our Washington D.C. office (hybrid).

The Knowledge Strategy Lawyer (KSL) will support the Litigation Practice Group with its knowledge management, practice solutions, and innovation strategy as well as help develop and implement projects to meet the practice group's needs. The role includes creating, collecting, maintaining and sharing core practice materials and key know-how, and collaborating to support the team on the integration of appropriate legal technology, including AI-powered tools and solutions, into their workflows. The KSL draws upon their legal technical, practice and market expertise, and partners with attorneys and relevant business services teams, to enhance the service we provide to clients through expanded use of Knowledge Management (KM) best practices, advanced technologies and improved processes.

Knowledge Strategy

• Partners with practice leadership, attorneys and Knowledge Strategy Counsel and other KSLs to assess knowledge needs and develop and implement a strategy and plan to address them.
• Establishes proper mechanism for regular review of the knowledge strategy and its execution.
• Works with the Knowledge Strategy Counsel, KM & Practice Solutions team and other technology and business services teams to evaluate and pilot legal technology, AI tools, and client-facing applications that enhance the delivery of legal services.

Knowledge Resources

• Gathers attorney feedback, assesses attorney workflow, identifies knowledge management and practice solutions needs and implements appropriate solutions and best practices to increase effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of services within the practice group.
• Creates, updates and maintains key know-how assets, including model forms, practice notes, checklists, best practices and how-to guides, training materials and other substantive content for the practice group. Identifies, maintains and curates collections of precedents.
• Conducts matter debriefs with attorneys to support know-how collections.
• Ensures knowledge resources are readily accessible in the designated practice site, document management system or other know-how repository, and remains current and aligned with practice needs.
• Verifies data accuracy within KM systems and ensures effective data collection processes. Works with other stakeholders to implement new workflows and technology solutions that improve data capture.
• Meets regularly with attorneys in the practice group to obtain insights relevant to improving knowledge management strategy and technology resources.

Practice Innovation & Legal Technology

• Develops expertise and stays informed on evolving technologies and KM systems relevant to the practice, including AI-driven applications.
• Collaborates with KM, technology and other relevant business services teams to identify, evaluate, pilot, build and deploy technology solutions based on attorney needs.
• Supports and drives implementation and adoption of legal technology, including generative AI and document automation.
• Assists with the evaluation of generative AI capabilities, including developing, testing, and refining generative AI prompts tailored to specific legal tasks, and ensuring alignment with the practice's needs and firm best practices.
• Serves as a subject matter expert to guide and support on the effective use of legal technology and AI within their practice group(s).
• Leverages attorney engagement to evaluate and adopt technology into the work of the practice group by soliciting feedback from attorneys on the use of KM systems, legal technology and AI in their practices, and documenting best practices and lessons learned.
• Works with attorneys to translate practice-specific workflows into scalable, technology-enabled solutions and advises on improved processes and new technologies and provides insight into how their usage can benefit the practice group.

Thought Leadership & Market Intelligence

• Researches, monitors, and informs the practice groups of legal and market developments and trends in practice.
• Supports development of internal and client alerts as needed by the practice.
• Prepares and/or circulates periodic current awareness newsletters as requested by the relevant practice group.

Business Development

• Assists practice members, Business Development and Marketing groups in business development efforts.
• Maintains a repository of pitch materials and support pitch materials and client-facing content as requested by the practice group.

Training/Awareness & Mentorship

• Works with practice group attorneys and professional development teams to identify practice-related training needs, and assists in the development of materials for group trainings and CLE programs as requested by the practice group.
• Serves as a resource for legal, market and practical expertise for the practice group.
• Designs and delivers training on KM resources and best practices, and in collaboration with technology training teams, legal technology and best practices.
• Promotes use of the practice group's KM resources and drive adoption and behavioral change across the practice.
• Mentors associates by advising and demonstrating best practices in the use of knowledge management resources, assists attorneys in finding relevant knowledge management material upon request, and helps attorneys develop increasing independence and competence in finding and using knowledge management and practice solutions.
• Establishes relationships with attorneys to promote awareness of, and solicit participation in KM initiatives.

Firmwide Collaboration

• Acts as a liaison across attorneys, KM, innovation, technology and other business services teams to ensure seamless support for the practice group.
• Gathers feedback and continuously refines KM and practice solutions.
• Contributes to firmwide KM initiatives and cross-practice collaboration.
• Participates in KM meetings to facilitate the sharing of best practices and knowledge, and perform such duties as requested by the Knowledge Management & Practice Solutions team.

Qualifications

• Substantive expertise in the relevant practice and strong understanding of legal workflows and processes
• Passion for knowledge-sharing, efficiency and excellence in legal work
• Superior written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to present complex ideas to attorneys and managers
• Superior interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to present complex ideas to partners, attorneys and managers
• Ability and willingness to develop expertise in relevant legal technology including document automation tools, eDiscovery tools and generative AI
• Self-starter and highly motivated, quick learner with ability to translate concepts and insights from one practice group to another
• Skilled at drafting thought leadership publications, training material, relevant precedents and other know-how material
• Thorough competency with relevant firm computer software programs (e.g., Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), with the ability to learn new applications, including web page editing software
• Knowledge of legal and corporate information sources
• Proven capacity for creative problem solving
• Demonstrates close attention to detail
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, organizational and planning skills
• Ability to delegate effectively
• Ability to handle multiple projects and shifting priorities across multiple practice groups simultaneously
• Ability to handle sensitive matters and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work well in a demanding, fast-paced environment and meet deadlines
• Ability to work well independently as well as effectively within a team
• Ability to use discretion and exercise independent and sound judgment
• Demonstrates a courteous and professional demeanor
• Flexibility to adjust work schedule and work the hours necessary to meet operating and business needs

Education and Experience

• J.D. Degree with an active bar license in good standing
• Four years of experience practicing law in the relevant practices at a large global law firm

Culture & Life at Skadden

What makes Skadden special is our people and the culture, community and spirit of collaboration we