Legal Knowledge Assistant

Chilworth Partnership Ltd; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established law firm in Southampton is seeking a Legal Knowledge Assistant to support their Knowledge Management and Learning & Development team. This hybrid role offers the opportunity to work with legal professionals while moving away from traditional fee-earning paths. Ideal candidates will have strong organisational skills and a legal background, contributing to a collaborative environment focused on knowledge sharing and training delivery. A degree and strong IT skills are preferred.

Benefits

25 days’ holiday, with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year

Discretionary bonus scheme

Private medical insurance from day one

Permanent health insurance

Life assurance (4x annual salary)

Pension scheme (5% employee / 3% employer)

Travel loan scheme for season tickets

Qualifications

• Previous law firm experience in knowledge, training, or legal administration.
• Experience with intranets or eLearning platforms.

Responsibilities

• Support logistical and administrative elements of KM and L&D initiatives.
• Organise and maintain documents within the firm’s document management system.
• Maintain and update knowledge resources related to training sessions.

Skills

Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office

Clear and confident written and verbal communication skills

Highly organised with strong attention to detail

Education

Degree qualification

Legal qualification or legal education background

Tools

iManage or a similar DMS

Job description

Legal Knowledge Assistant

Location: Southampton (Hybrid – 2 days working from home)

Salary: Upwards of £30k annually

Hours: 35 hours per week

Overview We’re working with a well-established, multi-office law firm in Southampton on a genuinely interesting & varied opportunity within its Knowledge Management & Learning & Development team.

This role sits in a 12-person KM & L&D team supporting 8 offices across the firm, and would suit someone who enjoys law but is keen to step away from the traditional fee-earning path. It’s a varied, operational role that plays a key part in how knowledge, training and best practice are shared across the firm.

Roles like this are often London-based and found mainly at large international firms, so this is a rare opportunity to build a long-term knowledge career in a regional setting.

Who This Role Would Suit

This opportunity could be a great fit for someone who is:

• Enjoying law, but keen to move away from fee earning, time recording and billable hours
• A paralegal or legal assistant who enjoys the operational and organisational side of legal work
• Someone with legal experience who wants variety and exposure across multiple practice areas
• Someone who hasn’t secured a training contract but still wants a long-term career in law
• Inquisitive, organised, detail-focused and enjoys working with people, systems and processes

The Team & Opportunity

The Knowledge Management function has grown significantly in recent years, expanding from almost nothing to a 12‑strong team in just three years. There’s real momentum around:

• Learning & Development
• AI strategy
• Document automation
• Continuous improvement of knowledge tools

The role can be shaped over time around an individual’s strengths and interests, making it a brilliant learning environment with strong progression potential. The team is known for being supportive, collaborative and proactive in sharing best practice.

Role Purpose

To act as a central Knowledge and Learning Assistant, supporting the firm’s KM & L&D team in the development, maintenance and promotion of knowledge tools and resources, as well as the organisation and delivery of training across the firm.

You’ll work closely with lawyers, HR and central services teams to ensure knowledge remains practical, accessible and up to date.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the logistical and administrative elements of KM and L&D initiatives, including new joiner inductions and trainee training
• Profiling, organising and maintaining documents and content within the firm’s document management system
• Maintaining and updating knowledge resources, intranet pages and related links
• Scheduling, organising and managing materials and records for training sessions
• Proofing and converting precedents and other documents into house style using document tools
• Assisting with the promotion and communication of knowledge tools and L&D sessions
• Participating in regular KM team meetings to share knowledge and best practice
• Working closely with fee earners and support teams across all offices to ensure knowledge tools remain relevant and practical

Experience & Skills Desired

• Previous law firm experience in knowledge, training, or legal administration
• Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office

Preferred

• Degree qualification
• Legal qualification or legal education background
• Experience with iManage or a similar DMS
• Exposure to intranets or eLearning platforms

You don’t need to be deeply technical, but being comfortable with technology and happy learning new systems is important.

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised with strong attention to detail
• Clear and confident written and verbal communication skills
• Able to prioritise effectively in a varied role
• Self‑motivated, flexible and comfortable working both independently and collaboratively

Benefits

• 25 days’ holiday, with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Private medical insurance from day one (with the option to add family members at own cost)
• Permanent health insurance
• Life assurance (4x annual salary)
• Pension scheme (5% employee / 3% employer)
• Travel loan scheme for season tickets