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Job Purpose

We are seeking a Senior Lawyer who will be a trusted advisor and provide comprehensive, high quality legal advice within the area of Adults and SEN.

Working Arrangements - 2 days in office and the remainder can be remote.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise services and senior officers on the best course of action, drawing on your experience of developing innovative and creative solutions within the law.
• Work both independently and in partnership with colleagues as part of a collaborative team in the delivery of the legal service and in respect of complex work or projects.
• You will build partnerships with officers (including Senior officers) within service directorates, to build good working relationships and you will provide high quality solution focused legal advice to officers.
• Be proactive in your approach, identifying areas for improvement within work processes or opportunities for earlier intervention in council projects and activities to ensure effective delivery of the Councils priorities.
• Prepare and process a large volume of all casework related matters and find solutions for clients and members to achieve their goals and ensure compliance with the law.
• You will be an effective advocate for the Council and sole legal advisor on legal issues the council faces often on contested applications/matters. This could involve appearing in open court or in chambers on litigious matters as appropriate, making representations to the judge when appropriate
• Make sound judgments on case progression based on all the evidence and identify any areas of risk to client officers and the Senior Managers and to personally ensure that all time limits and steps are complied with ensuring the council achieves its goals in a way which is legally compliant, risk - aware but not adverse. You will be politically aware and bring any politically contentious matters to the attention of the Senior Managers.
• Be proactive in undertaking legal research and in particular in respect of new legislation, court practice and procedures.
• Support the wider team by preparing briefing notes and delivering training to others about the implications of that legislation.
• You will feel confident having robust discussions with external clients and lawyers, who at times may be challenging, taking a lead on correspondence and negotiations with them.
• Work closely with the Senior Lawyer, Principal Lawyers and Head of Legal Services, notifying them of any instructions or events that would result in a breach by the Council or an individual of any legislation, common law, standing order or rule or propriety or would constitute a course of action amounting to maladministration.
• You will be flexible and confident adopting new skills where required to meet renewed corporate or member priorities within your area. At times this may relate to high profile matters which have significant media and/or public attention. You may also be required to undertake any other duties and requirements appropriate to the grading of the post including other areas across the service.
• Enable the effective decision-making process of the council by checking and preparing reports for, and attending committee meetings, working party meetings and other meetings (which may be held outside standard working hours) in order to provide legal advice as and when required. You will therefore be confident building relationships with elected Members and other senior stakeholders.
• You will be an exemplar of a legal services team which adopts best practice, making recommendations on any changes in policy or practice as and when appropriate.
• You will be an active and compliant user of the team's case management and IT systems, ensuring you are using the system effectively to ensure proper records are maintained relating to all work undertaken. You will be an exemplar of time recording (and meet these targets), file compliance, risk management and other related good practice requirements of an in house legal service.
• Focus on the delivery of outcomes and the priorities of the Council.

Qualifications and Experience

• Must be a qualified solicitor in England and Wales.