6 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Title: Senior Lawyer 

Job Purpose

To undertake and manage a substantial caseload of complex legal matters within one of the Council's specialist legal teams, providing high-quality legal advice, support, and representation to officers, elected members, and clients.

The postholder will be responsible for advising on complex and sensitive legal issues, ensuring compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements, and contributing to the achievement of the Council's strategic objectives. The role also includes supervising staff, managing resources effectively, and supporting the continuous development and delivery of a professional and customer-focused legal service.

The postholder will directly manage up to 6 members of staff and oversee up to 15 consultancy and contract personnel as required.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advice and Case Management

• Manage a significant caseload of complex legal matters within the assigned legal practice area.
  
• Provide specialist legal advice to Council departments, senior managers, elected members, and external stakeholders.
  
• Conduct legal research and interpretation of legislation, case law, regulations, and guidance.
  
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of legal documents, agreements, contracts, court pleadings, reports, and policies.
  
• Represent the Council in court proceedings, tribunals, public inquiries, hearings, and negotiations where appropriate.
  
• Advise on legal risks and provide practical solutions to support effective decision-making.
  

Service Delivery

• Ensure legal services are delivered efficiently, professionally, and within agreed timescales.
  
• Maintain high standards of professional conduct and legal practice.
  
• Monitor changes in legislation and case law to ensure advice remains accurate and up to date.
  
• Contribute to the development and implementation of legal policies, procedures, and best practices.
  

Leadership and Management

• Supervise, mentor, and support legal and administrative staff.
  
• Manage workloads and allocate work effectively within the team.
  
• Monitor individual and team performance and support staff development through training and appraisal processes.
  
• Oversee the work of consultants, contractors, and external legal providers where required.
  

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal departments, external partners, government agencies, legal professionals, and regulatory bodies.
  
• Attend and represent Legal Services at internal and external meetings.
  
• Provide clear and practical legal guidance to support service delivery across the Council.
  

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure all legal work complies with relevant legislation, regulations, professional standards, and Council policies.
  
• Support good governance and lawful decision-making throughout the organisation.
  
• Maintain accurate records and case management information in accordance with legal and data protection requirements.
  

Service Improvement

• Contribute to strategic projects, transformation programmes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  
• Identify opportunities to improve legal processes and service efficiencies.
  
• Support knowledge sharing and professional development within the legal team.
  

Experience

Essential

• Significant post-qualification experience providing legal advice within one or more of the specified practice areas.
  
• Experience managing complex legal cases from inception through to completion.
  
• Experience drafting and negotiating legal documents and agreements.
  
• Experience advising senior managers and stakeholders on complex legal matters.
  
• Experience supervising or mentoring staff.
  
• Experience representing clients in court, tribunals, hearings, or negotiations.
  

Desirable

• Experience working within a Local Authority or public sector legal environment.
  
• Experience managing teams and external legal service providers.
  
• Experience contributing to service improvement and legal practice development initiatives.
  

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).
  
• Current practising certificate (where applicable).
  
• Degree in Law or equivalent professional qualification.
  

Desirable

• Management or leadership qualification.
  
• Relevant specialist accreditation within the assigned legal practice area.
  

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent knowledge of relevant legislation, case law, and legal procedures.
  
• Strong advocacy, negotiation, and influencing skills.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Ability to manage complex workloads and competing priorities.
  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  
• Effective leadership and people management skills.
  
• Ability to build productive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
  
• High levels of professional integrity, judgement, and discretion.
  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and legal case management systems.
  

Additional Information

• Hours: 35 hours per week.
  
• Pay Rate: £33.37 per hour.
  
• Location: Woolwich
  
• Direct management responsibility for up to 6 staff members.
  
• Oversight of up to 15 consultancy and contract staff.
  
• Flexible working arrangements may be required to meet service demands.
  
• We operate on a bi-weekly payment schedule.
  

·         Closing date: soon– early applications are encouraged