Overview
This is an exciting opportunity for a candidate with deep expertise in capital markets and EU listed company regulation to be a member of our highly successful Global Transactions practice and our valued global Knowledge function, working in an international and diverse team, in an inclusive environment, directly contributing to the firm’s client and people strategies.
Role summary/purpose of job
The Knowledge Lawyer will focus on capital markets (debt and/or equity) and EU listed company regulation, working with practitioners across the global practice (and principally within the EU). Freshfields is a market leader for capital markets and corporate work in Europe, ranked Band 1 for equity capital markets and corporate/M&A and Band 2 for debt capital markets in Chambers Europe 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.
The Knowledge Lawyer will deliver EU capital markets and listed company knowhow to lawyers in relevant teams across our Continental European practice (and, where relevant, updating lawyers in other regions) to maximise efficiency and minimise risk in line with business priorities. They will 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.
The Knowledge Lawyer will 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 the Knowledge Lawyer 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. The Knowledge Lawyer will also work closely with lawyers in local EU offices, eg to ensure client alerts are adjusted for local practices, which will help build up an understanding of the impact of the EU law across the relevant jurisdictions.
The Knowledge Lawyer 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 a relevant EU jurisdiction with a strong academic background. 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.
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