Watson Farley & Williams
Researcher

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Researcher (3 months FTC)
📍 London, UK
đź•’ Contract (open to part-time - 3+ days)
đź“… September/Early October start date
The Department
The Global Head of Knowledge Management leads the wider Knowledge team made up of the firm’s Professional Support Lawyers and the Information & Research team. The Information and Research team works towards achieving the firm’s knowledge strategy by ensuring everyone has access to WFW's knowledge and resources. The team manages the firm’s online and hard copy resources, legal and business enquiries and collaborates with stakeholders across all offices.
What you'll be doing
Legal and Business Research
- Ability to respond to legal and business enquiries globally.
- Coordinate and assist with larger projects.
Current Awareness
- Maintain a portfolio of newswires on specific topics and clients and sectors.
- Ensure alignment of newswires on key campaigns by liaising with BD.
- Maintain bespoke good practice guide.
- Promotion of service to key stakeholders across the business to drive internal engagement and to add value.
Contract Management
- Promotion, testing and researching of new services.
- Maintaining good relationships with allocated suppliers and attending update meetings as required.
- Championing of allocated products to the Information and Research team and wider firm to ensure awareness of benefits of existing and new features.
Research Resources Platform
- Ensuring the key product entries remain current and accurate.
- Contributing to I&R generated content to help fee-earners navigate resources effectively.
- Promotion of database to the firm as part of responding to enquiries.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Knowledge Management
- Supporting the firm’s developing Knowledge Management strategy.
- Identifying and implementing process improvements.
Intranet
- Promotion of new subscriptions and tools.
- Promotion and updating of the Information and Research page.
Training
- New trainee induction training and ongoing training during training contract.
- Vacation student inductions.
- Provide new fee-earners training in person/virtual.
- Provide targeted training by department/sector/resource on an ongoing basis.
- Maintaining training collateral.
Ad hoc
- Provide holiday cover.
- General team admin.
- Undertake other projects as required.
Skills & Qualifications
- Several years' experience in a legal researcher role.
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365, Teams, Lexis+UK, WestlawEdge and Practical Law.
- A degree or post-grad degree in Information Science/Library & Information Science or similar course would be advantageous.
- A high degree of written, oral and digital communication skills.
- Highly organised with the ability to meet deadlines under pressure.
- The ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong attention to detail.
- A can-do attitude and a willingness to take on additional tasks as and when required.
- Proven time management and prioritisation skills.
- Pro-active, collaborative team player.
- An appetite for continuous learning and development.
- Experience of carrying out complex legal and business research and working in a legal or professional services environment.
Please note: We conduct thorough pre-employment screening checks as part of our recruitment process.


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What we can offer you
We offer a competitive benefits and wellbeing package for all employees.
Who we are
Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) is a sector-focused international law firm with extensive expertise and industry insight across its core sectors of energy, infrastructure and transport. Through its network of 19 offices, the firm advises clients on complex, high-value transactions and disputes – matters requiring precise legal execution and a nuanced understanding of global market dynamics.
The firm’s success is driven by its people. It fosters a collaborative, inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can grow, share ideas and make an impact. Guided by its values –We are experts, We are united and We care – the firm delivers exceptional service through strong relationships and teamwork. The firm is committed to clear career paths, championing diversity and investing in its people so they can thrive.
Diversity and inclusion are integral to the firm’s strategy and underpin its efforts to attract and retain top talent. All employment decisions are made objectively, based on merit and ability and the firm is committed to inclusive and barrier-free recruitment. As a Disability Confident employer, WFW welcomes adjustments for candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions and participates in the Disability Confident interview scheme. If you would like to apply through this scheme or require adjustments during any stage of the process, please contact London_Recruitment@wfw.com and include “Disability Confident Scheme Application” in the subject line of your email.
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