Legal Director – Government and Public Sector

Overview

In this Senior Associate/Director role, you will support DWF’s Government & Public Sector practice by advising public authorities on public law and commercial issues, including governance and vires. You will help clients navigate Subsidy Control and grant funding and, where possible, public procurement. The role includes mentoring junior lawyers, strengthening client relationships, and contributing to firm growth. You join a collaborative, inclusive firm with clear paths toward partnership and flexible, hybrid working. This is an opportunity to shape public sector advisory at a leading UK practice.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible, hybrid working
• equal opportunities and inclusive environment
• career progression with potential for Partnership
• supportive and values-driven culture
• adjustments and additional support for candidates

Responsibilities

• Advise public sector bodies on public law and commercial matters, focusing on governance and vires/powers for central, regional, and local government
• Provide guidance on Subsidy Control and grant funding; knowledge of public procurement is advantageous
• Deliver high-quality, technically precise, commercially oriented advice to clients
• Line manage and develop junior team members
• Develop and maintain strong internal and external relationships to retain clients and expand networks

Key requirements

• Substantive experience advising central, devolved, and local government authorities on public law and commercial issues
• Understanding of how central, regional, and local government bodies operate and the intersection with politics and policy
• Commercial mindset with strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Collaborative approach to client and colleague relationships
• in-house public sector experience is an advantage (optional)
• Desirable: experience advising on Subsidy Control and grant funding, and preferably public procurement

• Collaborative mindset
• Strong negotiation skills
• Stakeholder management
• Public law advisory
• Governance and vires/powers analysis
• Subsidy Control and grant funding

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