Principal SEN Lawyer

We are working with a Local Authority in the Northern Home Counties region looking for a Principal SEN Lawyers from upwards 10+ PQE to join their department on a 15-18 month FTC basis.

This is an excellent opportunity to lead and manage a team of lawyers providing a range of public sector clients with exceptional legal service predominantly in respect of SEN Education Law.

The role offers a salary of £59.193.75 - £73,861.50 DOE and an excellent benefits package. This is a full – time position with the council operating on a flexible working environment.

About the position:

Principal SEN Lawyers are expected to undertake the following duties:

• Provide comprehensive specialist legal advice to clients whilst managing a complex caseload in relation to the areas around Special Educational Needs and Education matters
• Contribute to the development, training or mentoring of colleagues within the team when required whilst supervising and managing the work of the team to ensure that professional guidance is given
• Provide overall management of the team's complex and politically sensitive case load to ensure the provision of high quality, well researched and comprehensive legal advice within the timescales required by the client
• Actively seek out new business development opportunities and to raise the profile of shared legal service with both existing client base and potential new clients
• To attend courts and tribunals undertaking advocacy where required and to represent clients in negotiations and discussions with third parties in matters regarding the areas of legal practice relevant to the post.

About you:

The successful Principal SEN Lawyer will be a 10+ PQE admitted Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX of England and Wales with a current practising certificate. Good knowledge of SEN Education law and practices are essential.

Previous managerial and advocacy experience is essential.

You must have a demonstrated ability to lead and motivate others, anticipate challenges and deal with them proactively. You must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to a diverse range of individuals/organisations. You must also be enthusiastic and driven by delivering a high-quality service with a positive attitude towards building relationships with the team members. You must the ability to evaluate information in complex situations and confidently make decisions independently.

You must also be flexible to travel to other office locations when necessary.

It is important that anyone joining the council is committed to these areas of law and can demonstrate the importance of health and safety as well as having the awareness and understanding of equal opportunities and other people's behaviour, physical, social and welfare needs.

The ability to work under pressure is imperative, be self-motivated, and able to work to deadlines. 

Previous local authority experience is essential.

Working through LAW Absolute

As the first recruitment agency to specialise only in placing interim lawyers, LAW Absolute has a long history in supporting lawyers who want to work flexibly and in control of their career.

We are able to offer our contractors a range of challenging opportunities across private practice, corporates, financial services and within the not-for-profit sector. With over 20 years of placing contract lawyers in these markets, we have built excellent networks and many of the lawyers that we work with are contract lawyers that we have successfully placed on multiple assignments, allowing them to work with autonomy and build their career in the way they choose to. For our clients, we have worked closely with legal teams to help them plan and manage delivery of their services in a more efficient way in terms of resources, costs and timescales.