Lawyer (Property)

Devon County Council; United States; Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Devon County Council’s Property Team is seeking a confident property lawyer with strong technical experience to deliver pragmatic advice on diverse property matters. Local government experience is helpful but not essential; the role offers hybrid working with remote options and the trust to use professional judgment.

Based at County Hall, Exeter, you will draft complex contracts, advise across directorates on schools, farms, partnerships, and cross‑authority matters, supervise juniors, and

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitors, barristers, or hold a CILEX professional qualification and are registered with the relevant professional body.
• Extensive experience in property law with complex matters and transactions.
• Ability to work autonomously and make decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, strong organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate complex contracts for sale, transfer deeds, collaboration agreements, overage deeds, leases, licences, and other property related documentation for the Council.
• Provide expert legal advice across the Council on a wide range of property matters including schools, county farms, partnerships and cross‑authority matters.
• Respond to members of the public on property and highways queries.
• Advise stakeholders on cross‑authority content, attend panels and project boards.
• Review and approve Cabinet Reports as necessary.
• Supervise junior team members on complicated cases or property transactions.
• Support the Principal Lawyer in meetings.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and colleagues across the Council.

Skills

Property law

Public sector

Autonomy

Client advisory

Education

SRA/Bar/CILEX qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Case management systems

Job description

We are looking for a confident and capable property lawyer with strong technical experience and a proven track record. Experience in local government would be an advantage, but it is not essential. What truly matters is a genuine commitment to understanding how a local authority operates and applying that knowledge to deliver the best possible outcomes for Devon County Council and the people of Devon. You will be eager to expand into new areas of law and comfortable providing clear, pragmatic advice at pace across a broad range of legal issues. As a member of the Property Team within Devon County Council's Legal Services department, you will play a vital role in supporting the organisation's objectives. In return, we will support you to succeed with flexible working arrangements, modern technology, and - most importantly - the trust and autonomy to use your professional judgment. You'll be empowered to make decisions, tackle complex and challenging matters, and apply your legal expertise where it truly counts. As a Lawyer within the Property Team, you will provide expert legal advice and assistance to the Council on a wide range of property-related matters. You will:

• Draft and negotiate complex contracts for sale, transfer deeds, collaboration agreements, overage deeds, leases, licences, and other property related documentation on behalf of the Council. Some of this documentation will cover new and innovative projects with no precedent documentation available.
• Provide expert legal advice to officers across all levels of the Council across all directorates on a wide and complex range of property matters including schools, county farms, collaborative partnerships with other public bodies and cross authority matters.
• Respond to members of the public on property and highways related queries
• To advise stakeholders on matters of cross-authority content, attend panels and join project boards.
• Review and approve Cabinet Reports as necessary
• Provide supervision and support to junior members of the team on complicated cases or property transactions.
• Support the Principal Lawyer in the attendance of meetings
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and colleagues across the Council.

This role is based in County Hall, Exeter. Our Agile Working policy supports hybrid working, subject to business needs. Therefore, a degree of remote working is permitted albeit there is an expectation that the post-holder will work in County Hall as and when required by the department. Why Devon? At Devon County Council, you'll find more than just a job - you'll discover a career with purpose. This role is based in County Hall, Exeter. Our Agile Working policy supports hybrid working, subject to business needs. Therefore, a degree of remote working is permitted albeit there is an expectation that the post-holder will work in County Hall as and when required by the department.

• Qualified solicitors, barristers, or hold a CILEX professional qualification (or equivalent), and are registered with the relevant professional body.
• Extensive and relevant experience in property law area with experience leading complex matters and transactionsAbility to develop and maintain effective working relationships at all levels of the County Council and its partner organisations.
• Ability to work autonomously and make relevant decisions
• Excellent communicators, both written and verbal, with strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Competent in using Microsoft Office and case management systems, including effective time recording.
• Able to manage their own caseload, work to deadlines, and develop creative solutions quickly.
• Committed to equality, professionalism, and the values of Devon County Council.
• Experience in a local government setting preferable (but not essential)
• Successful candidates will receive 31 days' annual leave (pro-rata).
• Additional leave purchase options and flexible working arrangements are also available.

We are building the next chapter of Legal Services in Devon, and we would like you to be part of it. Following a recent restructure, designed to strengthen the service for the future, a number of our colleagues have successfully progressed into new roles. Their progression has created opportunities across our newly structured service and we are now looking for talented people to join us. With opportunities at different stages of a legal career, this is a great time to join, develop and make your mark in Devon. We have an exciting opportunity to join our highly regarded Property Team, where no two days are ever the same. The team handles a diverse and stimulating caseload, ranging from straightforward land disposals through to complex and high‑profile compulsory purchase orders. The team's work is varied and exciting, with property transactions including Schools, Industrial Estates and the Council's County Farms portfolio. The work is varied, and from start to finish, you'll be involved in work that genuinely makes a difference. This is a fast‑paced and intellectually challenging role that will see you thinking on your feet, developing your expertise as you go, and sharing knowledge with a supportive and collaborative team. While demanding, the work is exceptionally rewarding and offers real professional satisfaction.

• Structured Development
• Comprehensive training and supervision to help you meet the SRA Practice Skills Standards and progress with confidence.
• Opportunities to Grow
• Build expertise across diverse areas of public sector law, with clear pathways for professional development.

A Council with Purpose Be part of an organisation committed to creating a fairer, greener, and more prosperous Devon, guided by our Strategic Plan priorities. Inclusive and Collaborative Culture Work in a team that values diversity, innovation, and collaboration, where your contribution truly matters. Impact That Counts Make a real difference to communities across Devon through meaningful legal work that shapes lives and services.