Education Lawyer - Other Specialisms Considered

QED Legal Recruitment Limited; Leeds, Bradford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

QED Legal Recruitment Limited seeks an Education Lawyer to join a growing specialist practice with a strong reputation across Yorkshire. The role offers the chance to develop genuine sector expertise advising academies, MATs, independent schools, colleges and universities in a flexible working environment with Leeds or Bradford as a base.

You will handle a broad education portfolio, including admissions, safeguarding, governance, and regulatory matters, with opportunities to take on leadership

Responsibilities

• Advising schools on academy conversions, joining multi-academy trusts and transfers between trusts.
• Liaising with the Department for Education on funding agreements.
• Providing advice on education law issues including admissions, exclusions, parental complaints, safeguarding and special educational needs.
• Advising on governance matters, including articles of association, directors' duties, company secretarial matters and regulatory compliance.
• Supporting business development initiatives as the firm continues to expand its presence within the education sector.

Job description

Education Lawyer Leeds or Bradford Flexible Working Options An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Education Lawyer to join a highly regarded and growing legal practice with a strong reputation across Yorkshire.

The firm has identified the education sector as a key area for strategic growth and is looking to strengthen its specialist offering by appointing a lawyer to work closely with an experienced Education Director. This role offers the chance to develop genuine sector expertise while advising a diverse client base including academies, multi-academy trusts, independent schools, colleges and universities.

The Role You will be involved in a broad range of education-sector work, including:

• Advising schools on academy conversions, joining multi-academy trusts and transfers between trusts.
• Liaising with the Department for Education on matters such as funding agreements.
• Providing advice on education law issues including admissions, exclusions, parental complaints, safeguarding and special educational needs.
• Advising on governance matters, including articles of association, directors' duties, company secretarial matters and regulatory compliance.
• Supporting business development initiatives as the firm continues to expand its presence within the education sector.

Depending on your level of experience, you will either manage your own caseload from the outset or work towards leading matters with support from senior colleagues.

About You Applications are welcomed from qualified solicitors with experience in education law. However, given the specialist nature of the work, the firm is also keen to speak with lawyers from related practice areas who are looking to develop a long-term career within the education sector.

You may currently specialise in:

• Corporate law
• Commercial law
• Real estate
• Charity law
• Governance and regulatory work

Candidates making a move from another discipline should ideally have gained sufficient post-qualification experience to demonstrate strong client management, communication and commercial skills.

Additional Experience of Interest While not essential, experience in any of the following areas would be advantageous:

• Data protection and Freedom of Information matters, particularly within educational settings.
• Drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, including service level agreements and grant funding agreements.
• School property and land-related matters.
• Charity law and governance advice.
• Delivering client training.
• Advising colleges and universities.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing specialist team and play a key role in the continued development of the firm's education sector offering while working closely with an experienced Education Director on a broad range of high-quality matters.