Knowledge Management Counsel – Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity

The Knowledge Management (KM) Counsel – Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity (M&A/PE) will work with the Global Director of Knowledge Management, the M&A/PE practice group heads, the M&A/PE practice group manager, and the M&A/PE KM Committee to identify priorities and implement solutions to support knowledge management for Fried Frank’s U.S. M&A/PE practice. The KM Counsel – M&A/PE will, among other responsibilities, (i) create, manage, and implement the M&A/PE practice group’s KM systems, projects, policies, and resources, (ii) educate the M&A/PE attorneys in most effectively applying technology and KM best practices, and (iii) facilitate other KM-related projects as needed. With the support of the KM Department, this role will develop best practices to increase efficiency within the practice group using project management, process improvement, and legal technology tools.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Knowledge Management Services

• Collaborate with the M&A/PE KM Committee and the M&A/PE practice group to assess KM needs, define and implement a strategy to address them, and establish mechanisms for regular review of the strategy and its execution. The KM strategy will identify opportunities for workflow innovation, enhanced efficiency, and empowerment of attorneys to deliver higher-value work.
• Coordinate with the KM Department to develop and implement KM solutions and best practices in line with the KM strategy.
• Lead development and maintenance on key KM resources for the M&A/PE practice group, including data and deal document collections, model forms, best practice guides, and how-to reference materials.
• Serve as a source of legal, market, and practical expertise for all members of the U.S. M&A/PE practice group, through creating, managing, and implementing the M&A/PE practice group’s KM initiatives.
• Monitor legal developments in M&A/PE. Identify topics for M&A/PE curriculum trainings and run know-how meetings on KM resources and other KM processes. Train attorneys on how to access both internal and external KM resources, both on the Firm’s intranet and elsewhere.
• Provide direct support to individual M&A/PE attorneys by assisting them in locating practice-related internal and external KM resources, while serving as a source of legal, market, and practical expertise.
• Collaborate with the M&A/PE KM Committee, the M&A/PE practice group manager and the Director of Legal Technology to identify opportunities to enhance the delivery of legal services within the practice group, and assist in the evaluation and piloting of legal technology, as well as facilitating the adoption of legal technology.
• Communicate and consult with the M&A/PE KM Committee, the M&A/PE practice group manager, attorneys, paralegals and business services professionals on practice content, efficiency, client solutions, legal service initiatives and projects for continuous improvement of these products and processes.
• Engage and manage attorney participation in KM projects.

Database, Document, Matter and Resources Management

• Create, develop, maintain and promote standard forms, precedents, checklists, data points, and other substantive content for the M&A/PE practice group, ensuring such content is continuously up-to-date and accurately recorded.
• Identify, collect, curate, and organize a collection of high-quality work product for the M&A/PE practice group in the relevant databases, ensuring content is readily accessible on the Firm's intranet and other content-sharing platforms. This includes, but is not limited to, the maintenance and upkeep of all M&A/PE practice group databases and repositories.
• Promote user adoption and feedback while engaging and managing attorney participation.
• Periodically and proactively review transaction information, highlight trends, and make recommendations for template form changes (including as a result of case law developments), refine due diligence focal points, and negotiating positions, as well as any additional improvements identified.

Other Support

• Participate in KM Department meetings and M&A/PE practice group meetings to facilitate the sharing of best practices and knowledge, and perform such other duties as requested by the KM Department.
• Attend external training and conferences to keep up-to-date with relevant developments in the law, business environment, and professional support best practices.
• Coordinate with other support groups and departments of the Firm, i.e., Business Development and others, to improve content, procedures and communications to streamline processes and satisfy various departmental needs.

Qualifications:

• J.D.-qualified and at least 5 years of both private equity and strategic M&A legal experience in a law firm. Prior KM and process management experience is highly preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of relevant M&A/private equity legal practices and documents.
• Outstanding communication skills, both oral and written.
• Strong leadership skills, excellent project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Well developed and professional interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with people at all organizational levels of the Firm.
• Self-starter and highly motivated. Ability to take initiative and follow through on projects to completion. Detail-oriented and ability to complete tasks under minimal supervision.
• Organizational skills needed to manage time well, prioritize effectively, and handle multiple deadlines.
• Proficiency in training skills and best practices.
• Ability to solve problems, both for technical issues and in situations involving collaboration with attorneys and non­legal staff/departments
• Experience with machine learning and/or artificial intelligence technologies is preferred.
• Experience with iManage, Litera/Workshare, Foundation, and Lexis Search Advantage is desirable.