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- Tasks: Provide top-notch legal advice on contracts and commercial matters for local authorities.
- Company: Join one of the largest legal practices in Kirklees, making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28.5 days leave, hybrid working, and exceptional family leave policies.
- Why this job: Develop your legal skills while impacting local communities through high-profile projects.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with experience in local government and commercial law.
- Other info: Great opportunities for personal development and leadership growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Do you want to make a difference to local people? As one of the largest legal practices in the area, our dedicated Legal Service teams strive to get the best outcomes for people in Kirklees.
The Contracts and Commercial Team are one of the specialist teams within Kirklees Legal Services. Working closely with the Council’s procurement team, we provide legal services on a wide range of commercial matters including drafting and advising on contracts, grant agreements and the like. This includes working on high value, high profile and prestigious projects.
As part of this role, you will play a key role in ensuring robust governance and delivering high quality legal advice. You will be expected to have your own complex caseload on matters including local government law and procedure, contracts (including ICT and construction), public procurement, PFI Academy transfers and expiry, TUPE, waste management and other commercial/partnership work, with the ability and experience of drafting complex documentation to support Local Authority projects. You will also supervise other senior lawyers in the team. This is a great opportunity to develop both your technical and your leadership skills.
If you are ambitious to develop your skills and knowledge in legal services and want to know more about the legal issues that affect local authorities – this is the role for you. We put a strong emphasis on training and personal development and want to support you to be the best you can be.
What you will bring:
- You will be a qualified Solicitor (or Barrister) holding a current practising certificate, or you will be a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
- Experience in the following areas: Local Government Law and Procedure (including Information law and practice); Company Law/Joint Ventures/Partnerships or PPP’s/ PFI/Academy Conversions; or Other commercial law not covered above (i.e. TUPE, Subsidy law, Intellectual Property Rights, Construction law, etc.)
Your benefits:
- 28.5 days annual leave increasing to 32.5 after 5 years’ service (plus bank holidays).
- Cyle to work scheme.
- Travel and parking discounts.
- Exceptional Maternity and Paternity leave policies.
- Local Government Pension.
- Access to Employee Healthcare that offers a range of services from counselling to physiotherapy and health assessments.
- Hybrid working.
If you would like to have an informal discussion about this role, please telephone Karl Larrad who is Legal Manager - Head of Commercial or Marc Ellis – Principal Lawyer on 01484 221 000. To apply please click Apply Now link below.
Principal Lawyer - Contracts and Commercial employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Contact Detail:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Lawyer - Contracts and Commercial
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in local government or commercial law. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of local government law and recent developments in commercial law. We want you to shine when discussing your experience with contracts and procurement during the interview!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! If you've supervised other lawyers or led projects, make sure to highlight these experiences. We love seeing candidates who can not only handle their own caseload but also guide others.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and making a difference in Kirklees.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Lawyer - Contracts and Commercial
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in local government law and commercial matters. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've worked on!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves supervising other senior lawyers, it’s important to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share examples of how you’ve led teams or projects in the past, and how you can bring that expertise to our team.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on local government law and the specific areas mentioned in the job description, like contracts and public procurement. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just a qualified lawyer, but someone who understands the nuances of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves supervising other senior lawyers, be prepared to talk about your leadership experience. Think of examples where you've led a team or project, and how you managed challenges. This will demonstrate your capability to take on the responsibilities of the position.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or the council's approach to legal challenges. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
✨Practice Your Drafting Skills
Given the emphasis on drafting complex documentation, consider bringing a sample of your work or discussing a past project where your drafting made a significant impact. This will highlight your practical skills and give the interviewers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
