We believe that making a career change, doesn't have to mean leaving the profession you know.
Are you a highly skilled lawyer with the drive and dedication to develop others? Have you ever considered a role as a KDL?
Knowledge & Development Lawyer - Funds
We place real value on the ongoing training of our lawyers, both for their personal development and career progression, and to ensure a consistently excellent service to clients. At the heart of this are our Knowledge and Development Lawyers, a team of professionals bringing a strength in numbers and years of experience unrivalled in Scotland.
Working alongside their division’s partners, our KDLs are responsible for managing the training needs at all fee earner levels and ensuring that lawyers are kept up to date with all relevant legal developments.
They also play a key part in pulling together articles, updates and webinars & seminars for clients, so an aptitude for writing and clear communication is a must.
Being part of the KDL team means working collaboratively with others doing the same role but in different divisions. Together, you can bring about change and drive forward initiatives in relation to the firm’s knowledge management needs and efficient working, and promote a real culture of excellence across the business.
Keen to know more? Read on...
We believe a job spec is useful, but hearing from the people that work here already is even better.
The firm recognises the importance of knowledge and development for its fee earners. I feel like I am making a real contribution to the success of our team.
"I joined Burness Paull as a fee earner in dispute resolution, and was part of that team for 5 years before going on maternity leave. I didn’t return straight away but I always kept in touch with the team, and when the KDL opportunity arose I was delighted to take on the role.
The firm recognises the importance of knowledge and development for its fee earners, and that is demonstrated by the investment in the KDL team. In this role, I feel like I am making a real contribution to the success of our team and I’m always looking to add value, whether that’s identifying a training need, updating the fee earners on key legal developments or supporting business development initiatives.
One of the aspects of the role I enjoy most is the degree of collaboration with other aspects of the business, for example, working with BD on the publication of articles, and with HR on supporting new members of the team with relevant training. As a contentious lawyer, I also enjoy the chance to work with colleagues in other contentious divisions such as planning or public law & regulatory.
I get a lot of support and inspiration from the wider KDL team. We work hard to ensure our respective teams are operating as efficiently as possible, so it’s our role to ensure any internal processes are running as smoothly as they can, letting fee earners focus on client work without any unnecessary obstacles.
At Burness Paull there is a friendly and supportive culture where you are recognised as an individual, and supported in your own career path.”"
Jennifer Neill
KNOWLEDGE DEVLOPMENT LAWYER - DISPUTE RESOLUTION
People make a place, and the focus on others, celebrating some of the personal moments in people’s lives as well as the work we do, is so important.
“I joined Burness Paull from another large Scottish firm where I was a fee earner. I had never been a KDL before but was quickly promoted to KDL director.
As KDLs we play a significant role within our division, ensuring fee earners are up to date with legal knowledge and practice and providing service drive solutions, whether those are on a transactional, practice development or process basis. The knowledge, management and development work we do ensures that our services, communications and training align with the overall firm strategy of being a growing, efficient and high performing firm.
It could be lonely being the only KDL but being part of a team like this was part of what attracted me to the job. We regularly join together to work on specific projects, tackling new legislation or areas of practice or as part of innovation within the business.
I’m really proud to be part of a firm like Burness Paull. I think the firm tries to find a better way to do things and has embraced change. It certainly has afforded me the freedom and opportunity to develop my career as a KDL.
People make a place, and the focus on others, celebrating some of the personal moments in people’s lives as well as the work we do, is so important."
Hilary Gordon
KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT LAWYER - REAL ESTATE
Becoming a KDL wasn’t in my original career plan but I’m so glad I took the opportunity when it came up.
"I was previously a fee earner in the private client team then moved to a dual role, then on to a full KDL role.
KDLs provide our teams with tools to perform efficiently and to the highest standards through training, knowledge management, best practices and resources. The firm recognises that this underpins the quality of legal knowledge and services we offer our clients.
As a collective. the KDL team is a fantastic group of experienced lawyers working together bringing our own knowledge and perspective from our respective practice areas.
We often collaborate with other areas of the firm, getting involved in projects, innovation or changes to the business. I have come to know so many more colleagues through my role as a KDL.
At Burness Paull individuality is valued, and it’s part of the culture that you can be yourself. Becoming a KDL wasn’t in my original career plan, I never expected to be in a non-fee earning role at the firm but I’m so glad I took the opportunity when it came up.”
Kirsten Leckie
KNOWLEDGE DEVLOPMENT LAWYER - PRIVATE CLIENT
We believe free fruit in the office is great, but the freedom to be yourself is what's really important...
At the heart of Burness Paull is our independence.
It’s this that gives us the licence to shape our business and culture in the way we want to, supporting the needs of our people, our clients, our wider community and the environment. It means freedom to pursue a philosophy of always being human in attitude and high-performing in approach.
For our people that means recognising everyone is different and valuing those differences. A culture that celebrates openness and where genuine advice and relationships are championed. An environment that encourages everyone to aim for success by being the best version of themselves.
And because we value the contribution that every one of our team makes, we make sure everyone is rewarded over and above the usual benefits you'd expect from a leading law firm. That means bonus schemes for all employees, family-friendly policies that stand out in the market, and a range of health & wellbeing initiatives that take a holistic approach to supporting colleagues.
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