Job Opportunity: Education Lawyer (Temporary)

Position: Education Lawyer
Contract: Temporary, 3-month contract.
Possibility of Extension: Yes, based on performance
Pay Rate: £40.16 Per Hour (PAYE)
Working Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 09:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: SM4 5DX

Job Purpose:

To provide customer-focused, high quality and responsive specialist legal advice about more than one of the areas of legal expertise covered by a local authority legal team.

Typical involvement will include:

To provide timely and effective specialist legal advice to elected members, including committees and to Directors senior managers and officers across both authorities as part of a team of lawyers, and to any other clients of the Shared Legal Service.
To be responsible for providing innovative solutions to deal with complex issues arising in connection with the work within the team and the legal issues presented by clients.
To manage a large caseload of wide-ranging work within two of the above specialisms, including but not limited to; drafting legal letters, legal agreements, deeds, notices, orders, consent byelaws as well as negotiating agreements, settlements and such matters, managing competing demands and meeting deadlines and the requirements of the Shared Legal Service.
Where relevant, to prepare and process all matters relevant to any proceedings before a court, arbitration, mediation or public inquiry and to attend such as the client's advocate or, if appropriate, select and instruct appropriate external legal representation.
To work proactively to maintain and improve the relationship with the clients of the Shared Legal Service.
To supervise, and be responsible for the work of, junior staff as required and to provide management and leadership to the staff working on their cases.
To undertake duties on behalf of the Monitoring Officer for all five authorities.
Keep clients informed of new legislation and case law relevant to their operations, including training seminars where appropriate and to ensure that they maintain a sound application of legal requirements.
Advise upon, draft and approve committee reports in respect of cases and legal issues.
Attend as the sole representative to advise and provide legal services to elected members at council Cabinets, Committees and Panels as required.
Negotiating, on behalf of any of the five authorities, with solicitors and other professionals and liaising with outside bodies including the court service on matters relating to the work of any client.
Any other duties may be commensurate with the grade.

Qualifications and Experience:

Qualified solicitor or barrister or chartered legal executive or equivalent legal experience with a background in local government
Good knowledge of relevant legislation to the service area and the decision-making processes and procedures
Good understanding of current issues and best practices on service delivery relevant to the service areas
Good and demonstrable analytical legal skillsDisclaimer: By applying for this role, you give consent for your information to be forwarded to our Client(s) and information of which may be retained within our databases therefore also agreeing to be represented by i-jobs with respect of the vacancy you're applying