Job Overview:
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Lawyer to join our Legal Services team. This is an exciting opportunity to work on complex and high-profile legal matters while supporting key Council priorities and transformation initiatives.
The successful candidate will manage a substantial caseload, provide expert legal advice to elected members and senior leaders, represent the Council in legal proceedings, and play a key role in mentoring and supervising legal professionals within the team.
Opportunities are available across the following specialist teams:
- Adults, Education & Employment
- Housing & Litigation
- Regeneration & Procurement
- Safeguarding
Key Responsibilities:
Legal Advice & Case Management:
- Manage an extensive caseload of complex legal matters within your specialist practice area.
- Provide high-quality legal advice to elected members, committees, senior managers, officers, and external clients.
- Ensure legal advice aligns with professional standards, legislation, and Council objectives.
- Advise on matters with significant financial, policy, operational, and reputational implications.
Advocacy & Representation
- Represent the Council and external clients at:
- Magistrates' Court
- County Court
- Tribunals
- Public Inquiries
- Instruct and manage Counsel in Higher Court proceedings where required.
- Act on behalf of the Council in legal proceedings and negotiations.
Strategic Support
- Advise on major transformation, regeneration, and service development projects.
- Support the delivery of Council priorities and medium-term financial strategy objectives.
- Identify and manage legal risks while enabling innovative service delivery.
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, supervise, and support legal staff within the team.
- Allocate work and oversee performance, development, and quality standards.
- Provide legal supervision and mentoring to junior lawyers and fee earners.
- Work closely with Legal Support Officers to ensure efficient case administration.
Training & Knowledge Sharing
- Keep up to date with legislative, regulatory, and case law developments.
- Deliver legal training, seminars, workshops, and guidance to members and officers.
- Promote the work of Legal Services internally and externally.
Corporate Responsibilities
- Participate in Council-wide projects, working groups, and strategic initiatives.
- Represent the Council at external meetings and professional forums.
- Conduct employee investigations and appeals in accordance with Council policies.
- Deputise for the Assistant Head of Legal Services when required.
Essential Experience & Skills:
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with relevant post-qualification experience.
- Significant experience managing complex legal cases within one or more of the specialist practice areas.
- Strong advocacy and representation experience.
- Ability to provide clear, practical, and commercially focused legal advice.
- Experience advising senior stakeholders, elected members, and committees.
- Proven ability to supervise, mentor, and develop legal professionals.
- Strong analytical, negotiation, drafting, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
Note: No sponsorship available for this role.
Kindly share your updated resume at [email protected]
Pay: £20.00-£26.78 per hour
Work Location: In person
