Employment Lawyer

Thurrock Council; Thurrock; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in England is seeking an experienced Employment Lawyer to provide legal advice on employment matters. The candidate will manage a varied caseload, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations while supporting governance processes. This position offers opportunities for professional growth within a supportive and dynamic team environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible and hybrid working opportunities

Ongoing training and professional development

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of complex local government employment cases.
• Ability to explain legal issues clearly.
• Experience with tribunal proceedings and drafting settlement agreements.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on employment law issues.
• Draft legal responses and conduct case management.
• Undertake advocacy at the Employment Tribunal as necessary.

Skills

Excellent knowledge of local government employment cases

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Proactive and self-motivated

Understanding of Local Government structures

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives

Tools

Case management/time recording packages

Job description

Overview

ob Title: Employment Lawyer
Salary: £53,460 - £61,638 per annum
Grade: G
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Thurrock Council is seeking an Employment Lawyer to join its Legal Services team to provide expert legal advice and representation on employment matters for the Council. This includes managing a varied caseload, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, and supporting governance processes to protect the Council's interests. This is an exciting opportunity with growth in abundance at Thurrock; it is the perfect time to develop and progress in this vibrant and dynamic team.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and support on a wide range of issues varying in complexity but not limited to:
• Provide legal advice to internal clients and stakeholders in relation to all aspects of employment law.
• Take instructions and respond to employment claims.
• Draft legal responses.
• Conduct case management and preliminary hearings.
• Instruct and liaise with counsel in relation to tribunal proceedings where external legal counsel may be required.
• Draft settlement agreements.
• Advise panel members in relation to disciplinary hearings and draft outcome decisions.
• Case management and advice of any legal challenges around the SEND process and TUPE process.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, case law, and best practice.

• Advocacy and Representation.
• Provide advice to councillors, stakeholders and senior officers and liaise with external bodies and legal advisers.
• Attend decision-making meetings, including Committee Meetings remotely or in person if required.
• Undertake advocacy at the Employment Tribunal if necessary.

• Contribute to the innovative improvement of the Legal Services Team including streamlining and case management workflow systems.
• Support junior members of the team including the Legal Apprentice in legal practice and procedure, contributing towards their professional development.
• Contribute to governance processes, ensuring legal compliance and sound decision-making. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, case law, and best practice. Carry out research and provide legal advice to Client Departments on related legal transactions.
• Engage with senior officers and Members to offer high-quality legal services, with a focus on social justice. Collaborate with directorates to ensure efficient delivery of Council priorities. Become a trusted advisor, advocate and problem solver.
• Personally manage a caseload and work unsupervised. Prepare, negotiate, draft, agree and process legal documents. Record all key actions and ensure data is regularly updated. Collate and send or check supporting legal and financial documents. Protect the Council’s interests while taking precautions against potential fraud and money laundering. Review and update templates and procedures.

• Notify and advise on any instructions or events that would result in a breach by the Council or an individual of any legislation, common law, standing orders or rules of propriety, or would constitute maladministration.
• Attend and participate in meetings with Officers of the Council and provide legal advice when required.
• Be willing and able to work in a flexible and agile way regarding hours and location of work, including remote and home working as required, subject to service needs; two days minimum attendance in the office.

What We're Looking For

Essential:

• Excellent demonstrable knowledge of leading on complex and high-profile local government employment cases, including preliminary hearings, tribunal proceedings, instructing Counsel for trials, drafting settlement agreements, advising on disciplinary hearings and TUPE and other employment matters as needed.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to explain complex legal issues clearly and confidently.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build partnerships with experienced clients and colleagues. High emotional intelligence (EQ) to build positive relationships and navigate sensitive issues professionally.
• Act as an ambassador for legal services across the council, sharing good practice and encouraging innovation among colleagues; include training and mentoring junior members of the team. Attend and advise in Committee Meetings.
• Excellent organisational skills to manage a complex and varied workload with a flexible and innovative approach, meeting deadlines for court/tribunal directions.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with a growth mindset and ability to work on own initiative with minimal supervision; able to undertake research and make accurate judgments and decisions.
• Ability to relate the Council\'s key policy objectives to the provision of the legal service; contribute to best value, quality initiatives and improvements to client care.
• Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives; advocacy skills.
• Good general IT skills, especially case management/time recording packages; strong numeracy and literacy skills.
• Understanding of Local Government structures and legal frameworks; understanding of Law Society practice management standards.
• Commitment to the principles of agile working, including flexibility in hours and location (including remote/home working) with at least two days in the office.
• Understanding of and commitment to equality and diversity and compliance with Thurrock Council policies.

Desirable:

• Delivery of annual work plans with monitoring and practical solutions for performance issues.
• Experience in a performance management culture and innovation in workflow systems.

Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
DBS Check: Standard

Benefits of Working with Us

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

• Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 22 September 2025
• Closing Date (Internal & External): 5 October 2025
• Interview Date: 9 October 2025

Contact

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact: Godwin Mangse - Principal Lawyer, Litigation Team