Senior Lawyer – Private Sector Housing

Overview

As a Senior Lawyer for the Planning & Regulatory Team, you will manage a varied caseload in private sector housing enforcement and related legal areas, providing expert, proactive advice to support Council priorities. You will lead and develop a team of lawyers and supervise trainees, ensuring high-quality, value-for-money legal services. You will engage with senior decision-makers and external stakeholders, shaping policy and practice in public sector law. This is a mission-driven role in a vibrant civic setting where housing and regulatory matters have a direct impact on residents.

Pay / Benefits

• 31 days holiday plus bank holidays
• agile working / Flexibility First
• Local Government Pension Scheme – AVC option
• Progression and training opportunities
• Health and Wellbeing resources (EAP)
• Cycle to Work and Travel schemes

Responsibilities

• Manage a full caseload of complex legal matters within private sector housing enforcement and related areas
• Act as a subject matter expert for private sector housing enforcement, with supervision from Head of Law
• Lead and develop a team of Lawyers and supervise Trainee Solicitors
• Provide proactive, solution-focused legal advice supporting Council priorities and policies
• Advise on public and local government law, including executive decision-making and information governance
• Advise elected bodies (Cabinet, Council, committees) as required by Directors
• Externally commission legal work to ensure value for money and high-quality service
• Help keep the team and Council updated on current law and practice affecting the Council
• Contribute to the development of legal procedures and policies and participate in legal projects and programmes

Key requirements

• Expert knowledge of private sector housing law; experience with civil and criminal litigation related to housing enforcement
• Experience leading, supervising, or developing a team of lawyers/trainee solicitors
• Advisory capability on public and local government law and decision-making processes
• Ability to manage complex.. and high-stakes cases and to deliver high-quality, timely advice
• Strong communication with elected members and senior stakeholders; ability to commission external legal work as needed

• solution-focused
• proactive and collaborative
• leadership and people management
• private sector housing enforcement
• criminal and civil litigation
• planning and regulatory law

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