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Herbert Smith Freehills' global Legal Operations function has introduced a new graduate scheme, which will see non-lawyers develop the skills needed to carve out a career in legal service delivery.

The first intake will begin in January 2022 and include five roles across the firm's network, including: two in London; one in Asia and two in Australia. The 18-month programme will offer graduates varied experience through rotations in different specialist areas such as Pricing, Legal Automation and Technology, Legal Project Management and Process Design. The graduate scheme will finish with the opportunity to complete a three month secondment before moving into a full-time role in the Legal Operations function.   

Herbert Smith Freehills introduced its global Legal Operations function in 2018 to focus on helping clients in areas such as improving service delivery and developing collaborative working through the use of new technologies; identifying alternative resourcing options; applying innovative methods to solving issues; and leveraging data analytics and insights. It works alongside the firm's Alternative Legal Services teams to develop holistic solutions that deliver more value and operational efficiencies to clients.

Ian Gilbert, Director of Legal Operations, said: "Legal Operations is rapidly becoming an established methodology and skill set across the legal industry, bridging both private practice and in-house teams through common challenges and opportunities for efficiency and service improvement. By offering candidates the chance to train for a career in this rapidly evolving area of client delivery, we are not only demonstrating the importance the firm places in this area but also ultimately creating a workforce that organically understands how to work with our clients in a more streamlined and innovative way, ultimately providing them with even better service. This is a hugely exciting scheme for students and for us as a firm."

Libby Jarvis, Assistant Director, Legal Operations, said: "This is a really exciting development for both the firm and the industry as we encourage more graduates to pursue a career in this area. This will also continue to strengthen the firm's market leading Legal Operations function and broaden the skills network available to our lawyers and clients globally."

Key contacts

Ian Gilbert photo

Ian Gilbert

Director of Legal Operations, London

Ian Gilbert
Libby Jarvis photo

Libby Jarvis

Director, Legal Operations, Advisory, Melbourne

Libby Jarvis