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The '''professional support lawyer''' (PSL) position, also known as '''knowledge lawyer''' (KL), has its origins in the [[United Kingdom]] and is essentially a central resource for research within a given practice area.
The '''professional support lawyer''' (PSL) position, also known as '''knowledge lawyer''' (KL), has its origins in the [[United Kingdom]] and is essentially a central resource for research within a given practice area.

Revision as of 20:52, 29 April 2023

The professional support lawyer (PSL) position, also known as knowledge lawyer (KL), has its origins in the United Kingdom and is essentially a central resource for research within a given practice area.

Background

The role of the PSL in law firms is similar to analyst who advises lawyers, trains others, communicates with clients and runs seminars.[1] The idea of professional support lawyers began in the 1990s in english law offices. The PSLs were tasked with activities which can be compared to that of a paralegal: drafting statements and determining precedents. One aspect of employment as a PSL is that they can work from home, and they can work regular business hours. One requirement of a PSL is that they must have a wide range of skills.[2]

Specific roles

The PSL role may also include new firm-wide role elements such as:[3]

  • Know-how, precedents and standard forms: drafting, updating, managing and disseminating documents, setting up or dealing with online document systems.
  • Research: analysing new law and practice, researching points of law or directing fee earners to appropriate sources.
  • Training: organising internal lectures or seminars for trainees, solicitors groups or firm-wide. Dealing with external training, building up relationships with speakers and event-support.
  • Marketing and business development: producing newsletters for clients, arranging or assisting in marketing events, arranging client seminars.
  • Information technology: working on IT-specific projects such as setting up Internet dealrooms, creating and updating websites, and developing a firm's information/knowledge base and/or Intranet.
  • Dealing with fee earner enquiries: answering queries relating to maintained information, new areas of law, and complex areas of law or specialisms.

References

  1. ^ Milton, N. J. (2019). The knowledge manager's handbook : a step-by-step guide to embedding effective knowledge management in your organization (Second ed.). London, United Kingdom: Kogan Page. p. 171. ISBN 9780749484613.
  2. ^ Taddia, Marialuisa (13 June 2016). "How to: become a professional support lawyer". The Law Society. Law Gazette. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  3. ^ "British Law Jobs - Professional Support Lawyer". britishlaw.org.uk. Retrieved 27 August 2016.