About this opportunity
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking two experienced Lead Lawyers (Contracts & Commercial) to play a senior role within our Legal & Democratic Services team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to high‑profile, complex and commercially significant work that shapes the delivery of services across our organisation.
In this leadership role, you will provide high‑quality, practical and commercially focused legal advice on major contracts, procurement, commercial arrangements and corporate projects. You will also supervise and mentor colleagues, helping to develop excellence within the team and ensure high practice standards across Legal Services.
You will be managing and supervising a designated team, supporting their development and ensuring strong professional practice, while leading on a caseload of complex and high‑risk contract and commercial matters, offering advice across the Council and representing the authority where required. You will provide expert legal input into strategic planning, policy development, governance, decision making and corporate projects, advise senior managers and elected members on emerging legislation, case law and other developments within your specialist area, and contribute to service planning while maintaining high standards of legal practice management.
Who we are looking for…
You will be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEX Lawyer with a current practising certificate and at least 3 years’ post‑qualification experience. You will bring strong expertise in contracts, procurement or commercial law, and be confident advising at a senior level and supporting colleagues through supervision and mentoring.
What can we offer you!
As the Council operates a hybrid working model, the successful candidate will have the flexibility to work from home or from one of our offices. We promote an agile working culture that supports both high performance and employee wellbeing.
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 discussion about this opportunity, then please contact Julie Nicholls, Group Lawyer, at julie.nicholls@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.
Application and Interview information
Closing date: 29th March 2026
We are currently operating both in‑person and virtual interviews. Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.
Safer Recruitment & DBS
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.
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