Education Law Senior Associate

Liberty Towers; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Liberty Towers is seeking a Senior Associate to join its Education team in London or Oxford. The role offers 50% remote working and involves advising universities, colleges and other education organisations on complex governance, regulatory, safeguarding and student-related matters.

You will work with senior leadership teams across the higher education sector, handling governance, investigations, data protection and related regulatory matters, with a focus on strategic sector developments.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with at least six years PQE.
• Proven track record advising higher education institutions, colleges or education organisations.

Responsibilities

• Advise education institutions on governance and regulatory obligations.
• Support international pathway providers with university arrangements and Office for Students registration.
• Advise on safeguarding obligations, investigations and related litigation involving staff, students and volunteers.
• Handle data protection, freedom of information, data breaches and data-sharing matters.
• Advise on freedom of speech, no-platforming and related disputes.
• Manage student-related litigation, including consumer claims.
• Provide regulatory advice on education-sector mergers, acquisitions and distressed transactions.
• Contribute to client relationships, thought leadership and wider business development.

Skills

Governance

Regulatory

Safeguarding

Data protection

Education

Solicitor qualification

Job description

Working arrangement: Hybrid - 50% remote working

Experience: 6+ years' PQE

Our client, a highly regarded UK law firm, is seeking a Senior Associate to join its established Education team in London or Oxford.

You will advise universities, colleges and other education organisations on complex governance, regulatory, safeguarding and student-related matters. The role offers varied, high-quality work and close involvement with senior leadership teams across the higher education sector.

The role

Your responsibilities will include:

• Advising education institutions on governance and regulatory obligations.
• Supporting international pathway providers with university arrangements and Office for Students registration.
• Advising on safeguarding obligations, investigations and related litigation, including historic and current concerns involving staff, students and volunteers.
• Handling data protection, freedom of information, data breaches and data-sharing matters.
• Advising on freedom of speech, no-platforming and associated disputes.
• Managing student-related litigation, including consumer claims.
• Providing regulatory advice on education-sector mergers, acquisitions and distressed transactions.
• Contributing to client relationships, thought leadership and wider business development.

About you

You will be a qualified solicitor, or hold an equivalent relevant qualification, with at least six years' post-qualification experience and a strong track record advising higher education institutions, colleges or other education organisations.

You will bring expertise in governance, investigations, student matters and data protection, alongside sound commercial judgement and confidence handling sensitive matters involving senior stakeholders. An interest in higher education policy and developments across the sector is essential.

Location and flexibility

The position can be based in London or Oxford, with 50% remote working and the remaining time spent in your chosen office.