Data Engineer / Architect - Aderant

In this pivotal role, you will bridge the gap between enterprise data architecture and legal tech execution. You will be responsible for designing, building, and optimising a scalable global data estate that integrates critical legal practice management systems with cutting-edge analytics platforms., * Enterprise Data Architecture: Architect, build, and maintain the global data infrastructure, transitioning legacy data warehouses into a modern, unified data lakehouse environment using MS Fabric. * Legal Tech Integration: Serve as the subject matter expert for Aderant data structures. Design and implement robust ETL/ELT pipelines to extract, transform, and load data from Aderant Expert/Sierra and other legal tech systems (e.g., iManage, Intapp) into the central data ecosystem. * Data Modelling & Governance: Design high-performance relational and dimensional data models tailored for legal metrics (e.g., lockup, realisation rates, WIP, billable hours, and utilisation). Ensure strict data governance, security, and compliance across global jurisdictions. * Analytics Enabler: Partner with Business Intelligence (BI) teams to deliver clean, curated, and near-real-time data products, enabling advanced reporting and AI-driven insights via Power BI. * Stakeholder Collaboration: Act as a technical liaison between global legal operations, finance teams, and IT leadership to translate complex business requirements into scalable technical solutions.

The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in Aderant (expert-level understanding of its underlying data structures and schemas) and a proven track record of architecting modern, cloud-native data solutions using Microsoft Fabric., Industry Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of data engineering or architecture experience specifically within the legal sector (top-tier law firms or legal professional services firms). * Aderant Expertise: Deep, hands-on experience navigating and querying the Aderant database schema. You must thoroughly understand how legal financial data, timekeeping, and billing workflows map to the back-end tables. * Microsoft Fabric Mastery: Proven experience working within the MS Fabric ecosystem (OneLake, Data Factory, Synapse Data Engineering/Data Science, and Real-Time Analytics). * Core Data Stack: High proficiency in advanced SQL, Python/PySpark, and data lakehouse architectures (Delta Lake). * Cloud Infrastructure: Strong understanding of Microsoft Azure data services (Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse, Azure SQL, Key Vault) as they relate to Fabric integrations. * Legal Data Domain Knowledge: Strong familiarity with legal operations terminology and financial metrics (KPIs for partners, practice groups, and matter management).

Preferred Qualifications

* Certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate or Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate. * Experience migrating on-premise Aderant environments to cloud-based setups (Aderant Expert Sierra). * Familiarity with international data privacy laws (GDPR, UK DPA 2018) within a legal framework.

Highly competitive compensation package, flexible working arrangements (Hybrid/Remote), and clear paths for executive-level career progression.

Our client is a globally operational professional services organisation dedicated to delivering top-tier strategic, advisory, and technological solutions to a prestigious international clientele. As they continue to modernise their global data infrastructure, they are seeking a visionary and execution-focused Senior Data Engineer / Architect with a specialised background in the legal sector to drive their enterprise data strategy.