Lawyer - Local Government Legal Services - Kent

Lawyer – Local Government Legal Services
Kent (hybrid) | Permanent | 2+ years PQE
A well-established in-house local authority legal team is recruiting a qualified Lawyer to join its Legal Services function, advising across a broad and genuinely varied public sector caseload.
You will provide legal advice and assistance across one or more of the following specialisms:

• Planning – planning applications, appeals and enforcement
• Highways – highways law, public rights of way and village greens
• Property – a range of property transactions
• Contracts and Commercial – works, services, concession and health-related services contracts, public procurement and subsidy control
• Litigation – judicial reviews, discrimination claims, Human Rights Act claims, money claims and debt recovery

The role:

• Drafting all necessary legal documentation within your specialism
• Continually developing specialist knowledge to advise Members, senior managers and officers
• Attending meetings as legal advisor and representing Legal Services at working groups and external meetings
• Working collaboratively across the organisation to ensure timely, appropriate legal advice
• Supporting the Head of Group with commissioning of legal advice and reporting on delivery
• Accurate time recording for recharge purposes

What you will need:

• Qualified Solicitor, Legal Executive or Barrister with a current practising certificate
• 2+ years PQE (guidance only)
• Proven experience in one or more of the specialisms above
• Excellent research and drafting skills, with the ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure
• Strong communication and presentation skills, and the ability to build relationships with internal clients and stakeholders
• Good IT skills including Word, Outlook and legal case management systems
• A collaborative, flexible and approachable working style

This is a genuine opportunity to take on high-quality, high-impact work in a supportive in-house team where your advice directly shapes services for local communities.