Knowledge Lawyer (m/w/x) EU Capital Markets & Listed Companies Freshfields

Role summary

The Knowledge Lawyer will specialize in capital markets (debt and/or equity) and EU listed company regulations, collaborating with practitioners across our global network, primarily within the EU. As a market leader in capital markets and corporate law in Europe—ranked Band 1 for equity capital markets and corporate/M&A and Band 2 for debt capital markets by Chambers Europe—Freshfields is committed to excellence in this field.

Examples of areas within the role’s remit include the Prospectus Regulation, the Market Abuse Regulation, Shareholders’ Rights, Corporate Sustainability Reporting and Due Diligence, and Transparency Directives, EU Green Bond Standard, etc.

Our Knowledge Lawyer delivers EU capital markets and listed company knowhow to lawyers in relevant teams across our Continental European practice to maximise efficiency and minimise risk in line with business priorities. You'll monitor and provide expert insights into EU regulatory developments that are relevant to the European capital markets and to companies with a debt and/or equity listing in the EU, understanding what these developments mean for our clients and practice (including in the context of M&A) and translating that into client and internal facing initiatives.

You'll bring deep expertise of this area and a willingness and ability to continue to develop in this space, with a view to:

• enabling the firm to provide market-leading client service: by capturing and sharing insights and knowhow from client matters, supporting on legal/market current awareness with a commercially-minded and practical approach to help lawyers understand the impacts for clients and their work, developing Knowledge products and tools (including briefing notes that can be shared across offices, or drafting external blogs that also serve as internal briefings) and helping drive Knowledge innovation workstreams;
• helping grow the business of the firm: helping raise the profile of the practice and strengthen client relationships by identifying opportunities for, and developing, client content (blogs, alerts, thought leadership, speaking notes), and contributing to reputation-enhancing publications and client conversations and education; and
• developing the legal skills of the lawyers in the practice: through internal training and by acting as a sounding board for legal queries, in each case upskilling our lawyers in this continually developing area of the law.

Collaboration is key to the success of our Knowledge function, and therefore you will also collaborate closely with other Knowledge Lawyers within the Global Transactions practice who focus on debt and equity capital markets and issues for listed company clients – and will liaise as appropriate with colleagues focused on M&A, finance, tax and employment law on issues impacting the transactional practice for listed companies arising from EU law.  You will also work closely with lawyers in our EU offices to help build up an understanding of the impact of the EU law across the relevant jurisdictions.

You will be welcomed into the wider Knowledge community, made up of Knowledge Lawyers and other Knowledge & Information Services roles, led by the firm’s Co-Chief Knowledge Officers who focus on creating the framework for career satisfaction, high performance and excellence by fostering a supportive, inclusive, innovative, collaborative and purpose-driven culture across the function. Our Knowledge & Information Services team support the Knowledge Lawyers (eg maintaining internal knowledge collections, preparing newsletters and managing external resources).

All Knowledge Lawyers also work closely with colleagues with other specialisms, eg marketing and business development, innovation and learning and development.

Key responsibilities

Enabling the firm’s lawyers to provide market-leading client service

• Monitor key legal and regulatory developments and disseminate to lawyers in the practice – always considering the impact on internal knowledge products, profile raising and business development potential
• Create and update internal knowledge products (eg guidance notes or checklists), working with lawyers in the practice to identify products offering the most value-add
• Work with partners and other senior stakeholders to identify priority areas of focus within the fast-moving EU regulatory landscape and to develop house views on legal developments or market practice
• Capture insights from client mandates, able to draw out trends and themes and share internally, and reflect them as needed in internal knowledge products or internal training.
• Engage lawyers in the practice at all levels, encouraging knowhow contribution, direct access to knowhow systems and collaboration on knowledge projects.
• Seek opportunities for innovation in the delivery of Knowledge services, including using and promoting the firm’s legal innovation tools (eg AI, document automation, dynamic databases).

Helping grow the business of the firm and strengthen client relationships

• Keep up to date on developments in EU regulation for capital markets and listed companies and help relevant stakeholders identify and pursue business opportunities and raise profile in accordance with the firm’s strategy and priorities – including fostering their own external network.
• Drive the practice’s approach to the market by identifying opportunities for client-facing knowledge products and thought leadership, writing blogs, alerts, briefings and other client content, and contributing to larger publications and articles, in all cases demonstrating the practice’s leading-edge legal technical capability and market awareness.
• Play a key role in client relationships by developing and, where appropriate, delivering, client training, seminars and talking points.
• Participate in industry body working groups and contribute towards strategic industry consultations relevant to EU capital markets and listed companies.

Developing the legal skills of the firm’s lawyers

• Act as an internal advisor/consultant to lawyers working on capital markets transactions and with listed companies in the EU, understanding the developments and acting as a trusted sounding board on complex points.
• Working with other colleagues, to design, deliver and contribute (and to engage lawyers in the practice at all levels in delivering and contributing) to relevant training sessions.

International outlook and wider role

• Have an international outlook and share information and connect with colleagues as necessary.
• Build relationships and networks within the Knowledge function and across the practice, especially within Continental Europe, being the ‘go to’ contact for partners and other lawyers on questions of EU law related to capital markets transactions and listed companies.
• Work with other Knowledge colleagues to coordinate work, minimise duplication, manage risk, share practical tips and ensure that work product is optimised.

Key requirements

Experience and qualifications

• Qualified lawyer in Ireland or another EU jurisdiction
• Proven academic achievement along with intellectual acumen
• A high level of relevant successful experience as a fee earner or a knowledge lawyer/professional support lawyer (or a combination) in a transactional practice with a focus on capital markets (equity and/or debt) and corporate listings within the EU.

The individual

The candidate will:

• Have a very sound knowledge of law and market practice in debt and/or equity capital markets within an EU jurisdiction, an understanding of how EU regulation impacts upon listed company obligations and a willingness to continue to learn and broaden their expertise as it relates to this area (with appropriate support as needed).
• Demonstrate strong commercial awareness, always considering legal developments in the practice area through a commercial lens and anticipating the impact for clients.
• Have a growth mindset, a positive approach to managing change and be a self-starter.
• Have the aspiration and commitment to continuously acquire, build on and share knowledge, acting as a Knowledge champion and a role model.
• Be willing and able to act as a leader and take ownership of projects and drive them forward.
• Have a strong technology skills set, including a good understanding of new technologies, and an approach that fosters innovation.
• Have excellent oral communication skills, including strong presentation skills, and strong written communication skills in legal drafting and when writing in other styles, with the ability to judge content, style and tone for written work as appropriate to the audience.
• Be a team player who builds effective relationships at all levels, recognised and respected by partners and other fee earners and by other Knowledge colleagues. As part of our core values, demonstrate a collaborative, positive approach when working with others.
• Have sound judgment, be able to establish a high level of credibility with others and act as a sounding board for other lawyers in the practice and Knowledge colleagues. Demonstrate an ability to identify the key elements of complex problems, directing colleagues to appropriate legal or market source materials, and considering the practical nature of advice when proposing a solution,
• including the risks. Be able to support lawyers in their decision-making process on challenging issues, participating confidently in the analysis as a trusted adviser.
• Have strong networking skills and the ability to create and maintain relationships both internally and externally, and identify opportunities for collaboration.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case-by-case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.

Have we piqued your interest?

Then we look forward to receiving your application with the Talent Rocket profile!

Please let us know if you require any support or adjustments to be made in order to submit your application to Freshfields.