Senior Knowledge & Practice Development Lawyer - Employment

Role overview

A&L Goodbody LLP is hiring a senior lawyer to support its Employment Group through a combined knowledge, practice development, and business development remit. This is a distinctive position in the Irish employment law market and sits within both the Employment Group and the wider Knowledge and Practice Development function.

About the team

The Employment Group is one of Ireland's largest dedicated employment practices, known for advising employers across the full range of employment, HR, industrial relations, and crisis-management matters. The team works closely with in-house legal teams, HR and employee relations teams, senior leaders, and boards on both contentious and non-contentious issues, offering practical and commercially focused advice on complex matters.

What the role involves

• Partner with five partners to shape and deliver strategic knowledge and business development plans for the group.
• Work alongside the partners and more than 20 lawyers to create and maintain knowledge materials and keep the group informed on legal and market changes in Ireland and the EU.
• Own the quality, upkeep, and strategic direction of the group's knowledge database and client training content.
• Track upcoming legal and market developments and ensure relevant updates are shared promptly with clients and internal teams.
• Represent the group externally at industry events and conferences in Ireland and internationally as a recognised expert.
• Help improve the way the group delivers value to clients through new ideas, innovation, and leadership.
• Deliver training directly to clients and advise on their knowledge needs.
• Support technical legal queries and design training programmes for the team, with particular focus on junior lawyers.
• Work with the knowledge and practice development partner, other knowledge lawyers, and the Head of Knowledge Delivery on firm-wide and client-focused knowledge projects.
• Contribute as part of the Employment Group while also participating in broader knowledge initiatives across the firm.

Candidate profile

The ideal candidate is an organised, self-driven, commercially aware lawyer who is confident managing multiple priorities and deadlines. Strong project management ability, excellent communication skills, and a genuine interest in legal knowledge, learning, development, and business development are essential. The firm is also interested in candidates who are open to using technology, including AI, to improve knowledge services and client delivery.

Additional working arrangement

The firm is open to candidates who want to work either a five-day or four-day week.

Requirements

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with at least 5 years of post-qualification experience in employment law.
• Strong working knowledge of Irish employment law.
• Proven experience dealing directly with clients across a range of employment matters.
• Self-motivated, focused on outcomes, and comfortable taking ownership.
• Genuine enthusiasm for legal knowledge, learning and development, and business development.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to thrive in a demanding, intellectually rigorous environment.
• Clear communication skills and confidence presenting at seminars, conferences, and workshops.
• Creative and strategic thinker with the ability to drive change and innovation.
• Interest in using AI or similar technology to enhance knowledge resources and client service.
• Ability to build trust with senior stakeholders and influence across diverse teams.
• Strong drive, initiative, and willingness to make an impact.
• Previous experience as a practice development lawyer is not required.

Benefits

• Competitive pay package.
• Access to the firm's main training and development programmes through the ALG School of Business and Law.
• Discretionary performance bonus.
• Pension and health insurance support.
• Wellbeing contribution.
• Life assurance.
• Subsidised gym, restaurant, and coffee shop.
• Hybrid working policy.

About the firm

A&L Goodbody is a leading Irish law firm with offices in Dublin, Belfast, London, New York, and San Francisco. The firm has 127 partners and more than 1,000 employees. It is recognised as a leading Irish firm in major legal directories and is consistently ranked at the top of the Irish market and across Europe. The firm continues to invest in better client service and internal operations through new processes, modern ways of working, technology, and strong business support teams.

Accessibility and equal opportunity

If you need any adjustment during the recruitment process, the firm will work with you to support the best possible candidate experience. A&L Goodbody values diversity and inclusion and is an equal opportunities employer.