Central Knowledge Management Lawyer- Regulatory

Summary: The Central Knowledge Management Lawyer (“Central KM Lawyer”) will be responsible for leading and supporting the development of the knowledge strategy for various regulatory practice groups within the firm not supported by an existing dedicated KM Lawyer. The Central KM Lawyer will work with the Knowledge Management Director to assist the Regulatory Global Practice Group (“Regulatory GPG”) and a number of Practice Area Teams (“PATs”). The Central KM Lawyer will focus on spearheading and designing processes for the collation of research materials, standard forms, model documents, matter profiles, other data compilations and precedents. In collaboration with KM Partners from the Regulatory GPG and PATs, the Central KM Lawyer will be a centralized resource to enable the Regulatory GPG and PATs to operate more efficiently, which will produce both time and cost savings and provide additional value-add for clients.

The Central KM Lawyer will coordinate the implementation of firm-wide KM efforts by collaborating with the relevant KM Partners and Knowledge Management Director to create best practices, to achieve consensus on standards of operational efficiency, and to develop measures of success for the regulatory KM program while promoting a culture of knowledge-sharing and practice innovation.

Duties and Responsibilities: Depending on how the needs of the practices evolve, the duties and responsibilities of the Central KM Lawyer may include, but not be limited to:

Strategy and Analysis

• Work closely with the KM Partners and GPG leadership to establish and track KM goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with members of the GPGs and PATs to assess current and relevant KM needs.
• Develop, define and implement procedures to meet those needs and establish a method for consistent review of the KM strategy.
• Communicate regularly with other KM Lawyers at the firm to share best practices.

Organization and Dissemination of Knowledge

• Improve the design and functionality of the AI Working Group, Regulatory GPG and PATs’ collaboration site(s), and facilitate the creation and maintenance of the collaboration site’s searchable knowledge repositories, including exemplar forms, templates for policy and procedures, precedents, memos, research, business development materials and other helpful content, including industry updates and client alerts
• Assist in the automation of standard forms and templates for the Regulatory GPG and PATs
• Work with the Regulatory GPG’s and PATs’ lawyers to generate knowledge content and facilitate the sharing of knowledge and information in general
• Implement procedures for generating, maintaining, updating, accessing and disseminating information (including forms and precedent) and other materials to ensure consistent advice and reflect the most up-to-date changes in applicable laws, regulations and best practices
• Develop and implement consistent and effective means of communicating the availability and location of the Regulatory GPG’s and PATs’ knowledge resources

Management of Legal Processes

• Work with the Knowledge Management Director, KM Partners and other members of the Regulatory GPG and PATs to evaluate the practice’s current KM-related efforts to identify and prioritize new projects that will contribute to the efficiency of the practices
• Develop and promote workflow improvements for common legal processes within the Regulatory GPG and PATs
• Assist in business development efforts for the Regulatory GPG and PATs, including compiling, organizing, and making available client pitch materials, identifying relevant issues and developments for clients, and preparing contributions to client-facing publications (e.g., AI Monitor, bulletins, newsletters, etc.)
• Constantly communicate with the lawyers to establish legal project management processes to track information at all stages of a matter and conduct post-matter reviews of lessons learned in order to update knowledge content and to obtain information in determining what knowledge resources are most relevant

Identification of Current Developments and Trends

• Monitor, inform, and update the Regulatory GPG and PATs with regard to important legal and industry developments and trends through maintaining internal trackers related to developments, enforcement, legislation, litigation and/or rulemaking for the Post-Dobbs, COVID and AI Working Group
• Identify legal or business trends and suggest innovative methods to deliver services to clients more effectively
• Draft and collect thought leadership materials and presentations, including training materials, memos, alerts, practice notes, industry updates, and reports from attendance at CLEs and conferences

Lawyer Training/CLEs and Technology Evaluation

• Develop and present training for the Regulatory GPG and PATs on the firm’s various KM technology platforms including, but not limited to practice specific collaboration sites, that tailor the technology for the unique needs of the groups
• Identify possible gaps in substantive training relevant to the Regulatory GPG and PATs, and coordinate with Learning and Development to develop, organize and deliver (individually or with others) training, which may include workshops and off-site training
• Assist in efforts to compile relevant internal and external trainings for the Regulatory GPG and PATs
• Work with the KM department to evaluate, test and deploy innovative technology to reduce manual data collection, automate document creation, assist with legal research, and to otherwise support the practices
• Other duties as required by the practices

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Education and/or Experience

Required

• Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school
• A minimum of 4 years of experience as a regulatory lawyer in a large law firm environment
• Admitted to practice law in Illinois in good standing

Preferred

• Prior experience in privacy and/or cybersecurity
• Prior experience using Foundation

Other Skills and Abilities

The following will also be required of the successful candidate

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgement
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.