We’re looking for a talented education solicitor to join our Commercial Services Group, supporting a diverse education client base across nurseries, schools, colleges and higher education institutions.
The education practice of the team has been ranked within both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners legal directories over a number of years.
The role
You’ll play a key role in working with our Education Director and wider team on a broad range of engaging work.
This will primarily involve advising schools on academy conversions and supporting institutions that are joining multi-academy trusts or transferring between them. You’ll also be responsible for liaising with and advising on matters involving the Department for Education, including funding agreements.
In addition, you’ll provide education law advice on a variety of issues such as admissions, exclusions, parental complaints, safeguarding and special educational needs provision. A core part of the role will also involve governance work, including drafting and amending articles of association, advising academies and independent schools on directors’ meeting formalities, and handling company secretarial matters.
There will also be opportunities to broaden your experience by contributing to client training, advising on data protection and Freedom of Information matters, and working on commercial contracts, such as service-level agreements and grant-funding arrangements. Exposure to real estate issues specific to schools, charity law matters including trustee duties and Charity Commission requirements, and work involving colleges and universities is also available for those with relevant experience or an interest in developing in these areas.
Depending on your level of experience, you will either take the lead on your own matters or progressively build towards managing your own caseload.
Alongside your legal work, you will have the opportunity to support business development initiatives aligned with our strategic focus on the education sector, including expanding our reach into independent schools, colleges and universities.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for a commercially minded lawyer with at least two years’ post-qualification experience, although candidates with more experience are particularly encouraged to apply if they are transitioning from a generalist background.
You may already specialise in education law or come from a related discipline such as corporate, commercial, real estate or charities, with a genuine interest in moving into this niche sector.
You’ll bring strong communication skills, the ability to build trusted client relationships and a proactive approach to your work. An interest in supporting business development activity and contributing to the firm’s strategic growth within the education sector is also important.
How to Apply
If you are passionate about the education sector and looking to develop your career in a highly specialised and rewarding area of law, then we would like to hear from you.
Please send your CV and a covering email, including details of your current salary, to our HR Director, Neil Towse, at [email protected]
