Location: London
Practice Area: Operational Risk & Environment / ESG
PQE Level: 7+ PQE
Job Type: Full Time
Overview
A leading international law firm is seeking an experienced Senior Knowledge Lawyer (ESG) to strengthen its market-recognised ESG practice. This is a high-profile strategic role suitable for a lawyer with deep expertise in ESG regulation, sustainable finance, environmental law, human rights, climate risk, or corporate governance.
You will lead ESG knowledge development, support client engagement, deliver thought leadership, and help shape the firm’s ESG strategy across multiple sectors and jurisdictions.
This position sits within a collaborative, multi-disciplinary Operational Risk & Environment team with strong cross-practice ESG capability.
Key Responsibilities
Client-Facing ESG Knowledge Leadership
- Lead the ESG knowledge function and ensure delivery of market-leading ESG insights and knowledge products.
- Produce thought leadership on key ESG topics: environment & climate, biodiversity, sustainable finance, human rights, ethics, diversity, governance, corporate reporting, and ESG litigation.
- Develop ESG toolkits, client guides, training materials, horizon scans, and updates.
- Organise ESG training, webinars, client briefings, and cross-border workshops.
- Support ESG business development strategy, including conferences, networks, and client relationship initiatives.
- Build strong relationships with ESG contacts across the firm’s global partner network.
- Strengthen the external profile of the ESG practice, including social media activity and collaborating with BD on award submissions.
- Represent the practice in external ESG forums, committees, and specialist groups.
Internal ESG Knowledge, Training & Collaboration
- Maintain a comprehensive view of ESG work across the firm and attend relevant internal ESG meetings.
- Drive cross-departmental ESG collaboration, bringing together lawyers from corporate, finance, disputes, real estate, employment, tax, and regulatory teams.
- Lead internal ESG knowledge-sharing forums and contribute to sustainability initiatives.
- Manage ESG knowhow repositories—updating, organising and improving access to knowledge resources.
- Support the firmwide KM team with ESG regulatory horizon scanning.
- Deliver internal ESG training and contribute to the firmwide Legal Training Programme.
- Mentor junior lawyers on ESG-related analysis and regulatory interpretation.
About You
Essential Skills & Experience
- Qualified England & Wales solicitor with 7+ years’ PQE.
- Strong experience in ESG, environment & climate law, corporate governance, human rights, sustainable finance, or regulatory compliance.
- Prior PSL / Knowledge Lawyer experience is helpful but not essential.
- Excellent written advocacy, drafting, and communication skills.
- Ability to analyse complex regulatory change and translate it for clients and colleagues.
- Strong influencing skills and confidence working with senior stakeholders.
- Commercial awareness and a client-focused, pragmatic mindset.
- Highly organised, collaborative, and able to manage multiple workstreams.
Key ESG Areas You Will Cover
- ESG regulatory frameworks
- Climate risk & climate-related disclosure
- Environmental and biodiversity obligations
- Sustainable finance & investment
- Human rights, supply chain, and business ethics
- Corporate governance and reporting
- Diversity & inclusion
- ESG litigation, investigations & crisis management
- Real estate sustainability & the built environment
- Tax and ESG impacts
Benefits
- Full-time, permanent position
- Agile/hybrid working options
- Opportunity to shape a major law firm’s ESG strategy
- High visibility among partners, clients, and industry groups
- Leadership role with cross-practice influence
Job Category: Senior Associate
Job Type: Full Time
Job Location: London