Location: South Lakeland House, Kendal (flexible working available)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37 per week
About this opportunity
A great opportunity has arisen at Westmorland and Furness Council within our Children’s Legal Team for a Senior Lawyer.
To be a success in our Legal Team you will have strong experience in working with and advising upon complex litigation matters within the Family Court, be an effective communicator who is comfortable working with and advising at all levels within the Local Authority including Senior Manager and Director levels. You will advise and guide the local authority on a range of legal matters including support on major projects of corporate importance. We recognise that a key skill is adaptability coupled with a collaborative approach to problem solving and we would require you to be able to demonstrate effective time management and prioritisation skills.
The role will require you to work closely with the Group Lawyer in delivering on the Westmorland and Furness Council’s priority areas and you will be required to conduct and advise upon more complex legal cases which may involve the Children’s Legal Team.
You will be required to collaborate with other departments within the larger legal team under the auspices of the Business Partner Model to provide the best possible legal support to the Council in the furtherance of major projects.
Other duties will include dealing with a range of matters including providing advice to Officers and Elected Members, attending Council Meetings, Committees and working groups as required.
Who we are looking for…
Delivering the best possible service for the benefit of our residents and clients is important to us, so we are looking for a strong team player with a proven track record of delivering to deadlines, who has effective communication skills and is able to use sound judgement to solve problems.
To thrive in this role, you will be used to working in a busy pressurised environment and will enjoy a challenge. Additionally, good ICT literacy and the ability to use electronic publications for the purpose of legal work and research is critical.
What can we offer you!
Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)
Would you like to find out more?
For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:
- Post Specification
- Role Profile
If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal conversation about this opportunity, then please contact Danielle Walls - [email protected].
Application and Interview information
Closing date: 13th Septmeber 2026
Interview date: 17th September 2026
The interviews will take place in-person. If you have any concerns or if adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss.
If you experience any technical difficulties applying for this role, please contact the HR Systems Team at [email protected].
For guidance on the recruitment process, FAQs, and useful tips for completing your application, please visit: Our Approach to Recruitment | Careers
Safer Recruitment
At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.
As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.
We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.
