Employment Lawyer at Blake Morgan LLP

Blake Morgan LLP; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Blake Morgan LLP is seeking a Legal Advocate in Reading, England, with at least one year of experience in regulatory hearings to join its established regulatory practice. The role involves presenting cases at interim orders, reviews, and contested hearings, drafting hearing documents, and advising on investigations.

The team operates on a hybrid model with offices in Reading and other locations. The successful candidate will handle cases across healthcare, solicitors’ regulation, and other

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of experience in contested and uncontested hearings in a regulatory/fitness to practise context.
• Trial experience in professional regulatory advocacy is essential.

Responsibilities

• Present cases at interim order applications, reviews and contested hearings.
• Draft skeleton arguments, opening notes and hearing documents.
• Advise on regulatory investigations and draft or approve allegations.
• Contribute to regulatory policy and practice development.

Skills

Regulatory advocacy

Hearing experience

Analytical thinking

Job description

This opportunity was posted more than 30 days ago and no application deadline was provided. You can explore active listings below.

jobs Verified: 3 Aug 2026 Reading, England, United Kingdom (hybrid; also London, Southampton, Cardiff)

Legal Advocate at Blake Morgan LLP, Reading, UK

B

Organising Institution / Firm

Blake Morgan LLP

Rolling Basis (Official)

Reading, England, United Kingdom (hybrid; also London, Southampton, Cardiff)

Not Specified

Qualified advocate with a minimum of one year's experience of carrying out contested and uncontested hearings in a regulatory / fitness to practise context. Must demonstrate solid technical expertise, intellectual ability, enthusiasm for regulatory work, strong analytical skills, collegiate approach, excellent client care, self-motivation, and commitment to continuous development. Trial experience in professional regulatory advocacy is essential; healthcare or Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal experience desirable.

Job

Full Opportunity Brief

The Quiet Powerhouse of Regulatory Advocacy

Professional regulation is one of the most consequential, yet least glamorised, corners of the legal profession. When a doctor's fitness to practise is questioned, when a solicitor faces allegations before the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal, or when a social worker's registration hangs in the balance, the advocate in the room carries a burden that goes far beyond winning a case. They are protecting the public, upholding professional standards, and shaping the rules that govern entire industries. Blake Morgan LLP, a firm consistently recognised in Chambers and the Legal 500 for its regulatory expertise, is now hiring a Legal Advocate to join this high-stakes practice in Reading, England. For litigation lawyers and advocates with a taste for intellectually demanding, person-centred work, this is not just another job posting—it is an invitation to join one of the largest and most respected regulatory teams in the country.

"We are driven by a shared desire to carry out important work that protects the public in a person-centred way." — Blake Morgan LLP

Why the Blake Morgan Legal Advocate Role Stands Out

Most law firm job descriptions promise interesting work; few can genuinely claim to appear before the High Court within your first year. At Blake Morgan, the successful advocate will present cases for hearing, including interim order applications and reviews, contested hearings, and—subject to rights of audience—applications for interim order extensions in the High Court. This is not back-office document review. You will own the hearing from start to finish, from drafting skeleton arguments and opening notes to advising on investigations and approving allegations that will be considered by regulatory tribunals.

What makes this role particularly attractive is the breadth of sectors involved. Blake Morgan acts for clients in law (including the SRA), health and social care, accountancy, and education. That means an advocate could spend one week defending a pharmacist's registration and the next advising on regulatory policy for a national body. The team already comprises solicitors, barristers, CILEX lawyers, paralegals and trainees, supported by an experienced administrative team, so you will be surrounded by advocates from every route into the profession.

Decoding the Regulatory Advocacy Landscape

Regulatory law is a distinct discipline. Unlike commercial litigation, where the goal is often financial remedy, fitness to practise proceedings are inquisitorial and welfare-driven. Panels are deciding whether a professional can continue to practise, and the consequences of a wrong decision are profound—for both the professional and the public. This is why Blake Morgan insists on a minimum of one year's experience of carrying out contested and uncontested hearings in a regulatory or fitness to practise context. They are not looking for a brilliant generalist; they need someone who already understands the rhythm of tribunal procedure, the nuances of interim orders, and the delicate art of cross-examining expert witnesses.

If you lack direct regulatory experience but are committed to moving into this field, consider how you can demonstrate transferable skills. Did you appear in mental health tribunals, school exclusion panels, or professional disciplinary hearings for other bodies? Have you conducted cross-examinations in family or criminal courts? These are the raw materials. Yet the posting is clear: trial experience in professional regulatory advocacy is essential.

• Core responsibilities: Presenting cases at interim order applications, reviews, and contested hearings.
• Written work: Drafting skeleton arguments, opening notes, and hearing documentation.
• Advisory role: Managing regulatory investigations and approving or drafting allegations.
• Policy influence: Contributing to regulatory policy and practice development.

Your Application Battle Plan: From CV to Tribunal

Given the 110 applicants already on LinkedIn, a generic CV will not survive the sift. The successful candidate must demonstrate solid relevant technical expertise, intellectual ability, and exceptional self-motivation. But how do you package that in an application? First, lead with your hearing experience. Use your personal statement to describe three or four specific hearings you have presented, your role, the issues at stake, and the outcome. Second, show your analytical ability by referencing your skeleton arguments or written submissions—if you can share redacted samples, do so. Blake Morgan also values collegiate teamwork and excellent client care, so include examples of how you have supported colleagues or handled a distressed professional.

Before applying, familiarise yourself with the firm's regulatory work. Blake Morgan is recognised in both Chambers and Legal 500, and their website contains insights on fitness to practise developments. Mentioning a recent decision or regulatory reform in your cover letter will demonstrate genuine interest. Finally, note that the role can be based in Reading, London, Southampton, or Cardiff on a hybrid basis, with two office days per week unless in a hearing. Think carefully about which location you prefer, but make clear you are flexible.

• Tailor your CV around advocacy, not transactional work.
• Research Blake Morgan's regulatory team and the issues they handle.

The Career Trajectory: Beyond the Hearing Room

This is not a dead-end associate post. Blake Morgan's regulatory team is one of the largest in the country, and the advocate role is a pipeline to a serious specialist practice. You may also have the opportunity to develop a practice as a legal advisor to regulatory panels—a distinguished and highly sought-after role. In the longer term, regulatory advocates move into senior associate and partner positions, or in-house roles with professional regulators. The title may be "Legal Advocate," but the role sits at the intersection of litigation, public law, and policy. For a lawyer who wants work with real social value, this is as good as it gets.

Recognition in Chambers and Legal 500 is not accidental. Blake Morgan has built its regulatory reputation through decades of work protecting the public.

Deadline not specified in the posting, which means the firm is likely operating on a rolling basis. Given the volume of applicants, do not delay. The moment you are ready to present yourself as a regulatory advocate, Blake Morgan is ready to hear you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to be a solicitor or barrister to apply?
The posting says "qualified advocate" with at least one year's experience in regulatory hearings. That could include barristers, solicitors with higher rights of audience, CILEX lawyers, and other authorised advocates. The firm's team includes solicitors, barristers, CILEX lawyers, paralegals and trainees, so a diverse mix of backgrounds is welcomed.

2. Is hybrid working available?
Yes. The successful advocate may be based in Reading, London, Southampton or Cardiff on a hybrid basis. Team members currently attend the office two days per week unless they are in a hearing.

3. What types of hearings will I handle?
You will handle interim order applications and reviews, contested hearings, and, depending on your rights of audience, applications for interim order extensions in the High Court. You will also draft hearing documents and advise on regulatory investigations.

4. Is there a deadline for applications?
The LinkedIn posting does not specify a deadline. It is likely that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early application is strongly recommended.