At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage impactful public law cases and advocate for vulnerable clients.
- Company: Bison Solicitors, a progressive employee-owned law firm focused on access to justice.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and participation in the firm's success after 12 months.
- Other info: Join a supportive team that values collaboration and social impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with experience in public law and legal aid work.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 β¬ per year.
Bison Solicitors is a progressive, specialist law firm committed to access to justice. We are proud to be fully employee-owned through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) structure that ensures every member of our team has a meaningful stake in the firm's success. We specialise in publicly funded work and act for vulnerable individuals across a range of complex and often overlapping areas of law. After 12 months service, employees automatically become beneficiaries of the EOT, sharing in the long-term growth of the firm.
We are seeking an experienced Public Law Solicitor to join our growing team. This is a unique opportunity to undertake cross-disciplinary work at the intersection of:
- Public law
- Mental health law
- Mental capacity / Court of Protection
- Community care law
You will work on a varied and impactful caseload, including:
- Judicial review matters and public law challenges
- Cases involving duties owed by local authorities and public bodies
- Matters intersecting with mental health detention and capacity issues
- Age assessment challenges and related litigation
- Community care and support provision disputes
This role offers the opportunity to build a genuinely diverse and meaningful practice, handling complex and high-impact cases.
Key Responsibilities
- Managing a caseload of public law and legally aided matters with full conduct of litigation from instruction through to conclusion
- Conducting judicial review and pre-action protocol work
- Advising vulnerable clients and those lacking capacity
- Liaising effectively with clients and/or litigation friends, ensuring clear and sensitive communication throughout
- Preparing and managing legal aid applications and compliance with LAA requirements
- Drafting detailed grounds, witness statements, and legal submissions
- Liaising with counsel, the courts, experts, and opposing parties
- Working across overlapping legal frameworks (public law, mental health, mental capacity)
- Supervision and training paralegals
About You
We are looking for a solicitor who:
- Is qualified in England & Wales
- Has strong experience in public law and legal aid work
- Has experience or exposure to judicial review
- Is confident managing a complex and sensitive caseload
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to access to justice and client care
Highly desirable:
- Experience in mental health law, Court of Protection, or community care law
- Experience with age assessment challenges
- Advocacy experience or willingness to develop
What We Offer
- Fully flexible working remote, hybrid, or office-based
- A supportive, collaborative, and purpose-driven team environment
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- High-quality, meaningful work with real social impact
- Employee Ownership Trust participation after 12 months
- A genuine voice in how the firm develops and grows
Why Join Bison Solicitors?
Bison Solicitors is not a traditional law firm. As an employee-owned business, we operate with a long-term, people-first approach:
- Every team member contributes to and benefits from the firm's success
- We prioritise collaboration over hierarchy
- We are building a sustainable, values-driven legal practice
This is an opportunity to undertake challenging, rewarding work in a firm that values both professional excellence and fairness.
If you are an experienced public law solicitor seeking a flexible role with real impact and a firm where you are genuinely invested, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Solicitor in Southampton employer: Bison Solicitors Limited
Bison Solicitors is an exceptional employer that champions access to justice while fostering a supportive and collaborative work culture. As a fully employee-owned firm, every solicitor has a meaningful stake in the firm's success, ensuring that your contributions are valued and rewarded. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to professional growth, you will have the opportunity to engage in impactful legal work that makes a real difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Adviceπ€«
We think this is how you could land Solicitor in Southampton
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, attend events, and join relevant groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the firm and its values. Understand their approach to public law and client care, so you can show how you align with their mission. Tailor your answers to reflect your commitment to access to justice.
β¨Tip Number 3
Practice your advocacy skills! Whether it's mock interviews or presenting cases to friends, honing your ability to communicate clearly and confidently will set you apart. Remember, itβs all about showing your passion for the work.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Solicitor in Southampton
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Public Law Solicitor role. Highlight your experience in public law, legal aid work, and any relevant cases you've handled. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Bison Solicitors!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for access to justice shine through in your application. Share examples of how you've made a difference in your previous roles, especially when working with vulnerable clients. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely committed to client care!
Be Clear and Concise:When drafting your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This way, you can ensure that all your documents are received correctly, and it helps us streamline the process. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bison Solicitors Limited
β¨Know Your Public Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your public law knowledge, especially around judicial reviews and community care law. Familiarise yourself with recent cases and legislation that could come up during the interview.
β¨Show Your Commitment to Access to Justice
Bison Solicitors values a strong commitment to access to justice. Be prepared to discuss your experiences working with vulnerable clients and how you've advocated for their rights in previous roles.
β¨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle complex and sensitive caseloads. Think of specific examples from your past work where you successfully managed challenging situations or legal dilemmas.
β¨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
Since Bison Solicitors prioritises collaboration, be ready to talk about how you work within a team. Share examples of how you've supported colleagues or contributed to a positive team environment in your previous roles.