Senior Solicitor

National Education Union; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading trade union in the United Kingdom is looking for a qualified and experienced solicitor to oversee legal advice on trade union regulatory issues and provide guidance to the management team. This role offers autonomy in shaping the legal function within the organization, along with competitive conditions including generous leave and a pension scheme. Applications are welcome for part-time or flexible arrangements.

Benefits

35 days of annual leave plus Christmas closure days

Defined benefit pension scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a practicing solicitor.
• Knowledge in employment, trade union, contract, and equality law.
• Ability to supervise staff and ensure regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee legal advice related to trade union regulatory issues.
• Supervise in-house solicitors to ensure adherence to standards.
• Deliver legal training to staff and officers.
• Participate in responses to government consultations.

Skills

Effective people management skills

Confidentiality handling

Collaborative working

Understanding of political and legal contexts

Education

Qualified solicitor with minimum five years' experience

Job description

We are seeking a qualified, practicing solicitor with a minimum of five years' experience. The successful candidate will contribute to the union's aims by overseeing legal advice related to trade union regulatory issues, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements for industrial action, and providing legal guidance to the NEU's Strategic Leadership Team on policy and campaigning activities.

Key responsibilities include supervising the conduct of all in-house solicitors to ensure adherence to the Law Society and Solicitors Regulation Authority standards; ensuring regulatory compliance; sourcing or providing technical legal advice; participating in responses to government consultations on legal and employment issues; and delivering legal training to staff and officers.

The candidate should demonstrate effective people management skills, the ability to handle confidential issues, and the capacity to work collaboratively while empowering others. A good understanding of political, educational, and legal contexts, with knowledge in employment, trade union, contract, and equality law, is essential.

This is an exciting opportunity for a candidate looking to advance their career. As a newly created position, the successful applicant will have the autonomy to shape the role within the Senior Management Team and the wider organization. We welcome applications from individuals seeking part-time, job-share, or flexible working arrangements.

The National Education Union represents over 450,000 education professionals across the UK. We offer competitive conditions, including 35 days of annual leave plus Christmas closure days and a defined benefit pension scheme. Salary will be prorated for part-time applicants.