Education Solicitor

VWV; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

VWV, a top-ranked law firm, is seeking an experienced education lawyer to join their regulatory compliance practice. The role involves advising independent schools on legal matters, including admissions and safeguarding. This position offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for hybrid work arrangements, aiming to support schools amid changes in the regulatory landscape.

Qualifications

• Experienced education lawyer with expertise in independent schools.
• Experience in both contentious and non-contentious legal matters.
• Familiarity with admissions, exclusions, and compliance processes.

Responsibilities

• Advise independent schools on legal matters including admissions and safeguarding.
• Supervise team work and contribute to strategic goals.
• Handle sensitive cases with discretion and efficiency.

Skills

Regulatory Compliance

Legal Advisory

Incident Management

Discretion

Efficiency

Job description

An exceptional opportunity for an education lawyer at a top-ranked practice! At VWV, we are committed to advising and representing education providers. This role aims to expand our thriving regulatory compliance practice with a bright and pragmatic lawyer, likely at solicitor or associate level. Regulatory compliance work is central to our firm's success, offering you a chance to work at the very core of our operations.

About us

We are a Top 100, full-service UK law firm with just over 500 employees across four offices in London, Watford, Bristol, and Birmingham. Our close-knit and friendly culture emphasizes integrity and authenticity. We value proactive, passionate individuals who demonstrate humor and humility, and who are committed to high-quality work and client service.

Our Regulatory Compliance practice

Our specialist regulatory compliance team guides clients, particularly education and health and social care providers, through their regulatory frameworks and legal challenges. Many clients are nationally renowned, and our work is driven by legal and political developments in our sectors, making it a dynamic and evolving practice. Our sector knowledge, high service standards, and flexible pricing distinguish us, and our work is recognized in legal directories and sector press. The team is headed by a Partner and includes 5 partners, 21 lawyers, and 4 support staff.

The role

If you're an experienced education lawyer with expertise in parent and student matters and regulatory compliance for independent schools, this role could be ideal. You should have experience in both contentious and non-contentious issues, advising independent schools, school groups, and governing bodies on legal matters.

You will work closely with the lead for independent school practice, supervising team work and contributing to strategic goals. Your caseload may include advising on admissions, exclusions, appeals, student behavior, safeguarding, SEN, equality, handling complaints and claims, and guiding schools through inspections and compliance processes. Experience in incident management, reputation protection, fee disputes, parental complaints, and safeguarding is highly valuable. Discretion and efficiency in handling sensitive cases are essential.

This role offers a unique opportunity to support independent schools amid political and regulatory changes, helping them navigate challenges and thrive.

Location

We are flexible regarding location. Our culture values social interaction, and we work a hybrid model of office and remote work. Ideally, you would be based at one of our offices part of each week to benefit from our culture and facilitate cross-referrals. We are happy to discuss individual hybrid working arrangements.