At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex education cases and support families in SEND Tribunal appeals.
- Company: National law firm with a friendly and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: 25 days holiday, professional development, and supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in clients' lives while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with 2-8 years PQE and strong education law experience.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and mentoring junior colleagues.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re a national law firm with a local reach. Our legal experts are here for you. Whether it’s personal or business, we understand that everyone’s situation is different. But we’re more than just a law firm – we’re a team of people working together to help individuals and businesses navigate life’s ups and downs. Working here you’ll feel a part of our friendly and inclusive environment. We’ll value you for who you are and what you bring. We support each other and push boundaries to achieve incredible things and make a real difference to our clients and communities.
Your Role and What You’ll Be Doing
You’ll join the Public Law and Human Rights team as an Education Solicitor. You will run your own caseload and will be responsible for supervising junior colleagues. You may have experience in public law or community care law alongside your Education law experience. You will play an important role in further developing the team’s established reputation and displaying education law expertise.
You’ll have the opportunity to get involved in an interesting and diverse caseload; right from the beginning you’ll play a key part in securing justice for our clients and making a real difference in their lives. You’ll have the confidence to hit the ground running and have the ability to work independently on issued cases. Given the nature of the work you’ll work with vulnerable clients and your role will be highly rewarding, but you’ll have to be resilient and calm whilst also putting your clients’ needs first at all times.
You will be responsible for:
- Managing a caseload of complex education cases, comprising mainly of supporting families in SEND Tribunal appeals.
- Advising on a wide range of education matters to ideally include some of the following: UTT appeals, School exclusions, Admissions, Disability Discrimination Act Cases, Complaints against Local Authorities/ LGO and school complaints, Education-related Judicial Reviews.
- Providing advice to schools and colleges on education law and safeguarding matters.
- Providing ad-hoc SEN strategy advice and conducting EHCP health checks.
- Community Care law work related to our education matters.
- Working on privately and publicly funded work.
- Supervising junior colleagues and conducting file reviews in due course.
- Developing relationships with appropriate groups and organisations to provide an exceptional client experience and generate new cases and working with internal departments.
- Writing and delivering seminars to charities and education-related organisations and attending networking events as part of business development.
- Writing education law articles and case reviews.
About You
- A qualified Solicitor with between 2–8 years PQE.
- Strong experience in education law, particularly SEND Tribunal appeals.
- Confidence in handling a varied caseload with minimal supervision.
- A collaborative approach to supervision and mentoring of junior colleagues.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to deliver training and write articles.
- A proactive attitude towards business development and relationship building.
Our Benefits - What We Can Offer You
25 days holidays as standard plus.
Solicitor - Education (5889) in London employer: Irwin Mitchell
Contact Detail:
Irwin Mitchell Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Solicitor - Education (5889) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the legal field. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at firms you’re interested in. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in education law and any specific cases you've worked on. This is your moment to shine and demonstrate how you can make a real difference for their clients.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a role that excites you, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Apply through our website and follow up with a friendly email to express your enthusiasm. It shows initiative and can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to education law. Think about how you would handle complex cases or support junior colleagues. Being ready to discuss these topics will show you’re not just qualified, but also passionate about the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Solicitor - Education (5889) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Education Solicitor role. Highlight your experience in education law, especially with SEND Tribunal appeals, and show us how you can contribute to our team.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate your skills! Use specific examples from your past work that illustrate your ability to manage a caseload and support junior colleagues. We want to see how you’ve made a difference!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value who you are, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for education law and your commitment to supporting vulnerable clients. It’s all about making a connection!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our firm!
How to prepare for a job interview at Irwin Mitchell
✨Know Your Education Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of education law, especially around SEND Tribunal appeals. Familiarise yourself with recent cases and legislation, as this will show your passion and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Supervisory Skills
Since you'll be supervising junior colleagues, be prepared to discuss your mentoring style and any previous experiences. Think of specific examples where you've successfully guided others, as this will demonstrate your leadership capabilities.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life situations, such as handling a complex case or dealing with a vulnerable client. Practise articulating your thought process and how you would approach these scenarios, highlighting your resilience and client-first attitude.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires a team player who can build relationships. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked collaboratively in the past, whether it's with colleagues or external organisations, to achieve positive outcomes for clients.