Job Description
3 month contract role with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• The Employment Lawyer will provide high-level specialist legal advice and representation to a County Council in Surrey, supporting members, officers and committees across a broad range of employment law matters.
• The role will manage a complex and demanding caseload with minimal supervision, undertaking advocacy where required and supporting the management of a team of lawyers in line with business need.
• Working within the Law & Governance function, the postholder will also support (and where necessary deputise for) the Principal Lawyer, contribute to service improvement, and assist Monitoring Officers in fulfilling their statutory duties regarding illegality or procedural default.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Manage a full and complex employment law caseload, providing clear, practical and risk-based legal advice.
• Undertake advocacy in tribunals, hearings and internal proceedings where required.
• Provide expert legal advice to members, officers and committees to support lawful and effective decision-making.
• Support and/or deputise for the Principal Lawyer in managing a team of legal professionals.
• Assist Monitoring Officers in advising the Council on issues of illegality or procedural default.
• Lead by example in modelling and embedding the Council’s values and behaviours.
• Draft, review and negotiate legal documentation, policies and agreements.
• Identify trends, analyse legal and operational data, and recommend solutions to mitigate risk.
• Contribute to service planning, business improvement initiatives and legal strategy.
• Deliver training to Council officers and partner authorities on employment law and emerging legal developments.
• Represent the Council in internal and external meetings with stakeholders and partners.
• Support performance management and development of team members where required.
Skills/Experience:
• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX eligible to practise in England and Wales with a current practising certificate.
• Significant post-qualification experience in employment law.
• Experience managing complex employment tribunal litigation and undertaking advocacy.
• Strong knowledge of public sector employment law and local government governance frameworks.
• Experience advising elected members, senior officers and committees.
• Proven ability to manage a demanding and varied caseload independently.
• Experience supporting or managing legal teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate and mitigate legal risk.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to influence, challenge and advise senior stakeholders confidently.
• Experience delivering training and legal updates to non-legal professionals.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
Additional Information:
• The closing date: 19/03/2026.
• Location: Surrey.
• Rate: £55 per hour umbrella.
Requirements
• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX eligible to practise in England and Wales with a current practising certificate. • Significant post-qualification experience in employment law. • Experience managing complex employment tribunal litigation and undertaking advocacy. • Strong knowledge of public sector employment law and local government governance frameworks. • Experience advising elected members, senior officers and committees. • Proven ability to manage a demanding and varied caseload independently. • Experience supporting or managing legal teams. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate and mitigate legal risk. • Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills. • Ability to influence, challenge and advise senior stakeholders confidently. • Experience delivering training and legal updates to non-legal professionals. • Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.