At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage diverse litigation cases and provide strategic legal advice.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, a leading local authority committed to fairness and community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy career progression, a supportive team, and opportunities for continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your legal career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Newly qualified or experienced lawyers with relevant litigation experience and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Guaranteed interviews for specific groups to promote diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Are you a skilled and confident General Litigation Lawyer looking to take your career to the next level? Southwark Council’s In-House Litigation Team is now hiring an Assistant Lawyer to be part of a legal service that makes a tangible impact on the borough. Southwark is a borough that thrives on diversity, confidence, and ambition. With over 120 languages spoken and a young, multi-cultural population, we are committed to delivering a fairer future for all. If you want varied, challenging, and meaningful work in a fast-paced legal environment, this could be the role for you!
Why this role and Southwark?
- Work that matters: Handle diverse and high-profile Litigation cases that directly impact the local community.
- Career progression: Whether you are newly qualified or experienced, we offer development opportunities to enhance your legal career.
- Supportive environment: Join a collaborative team that values your legal expertise, innovation, and offers continuous learning.
As an Assistant Lawyer, you will:
- Manage a diverse caseload of general litigation matters, including commercial and residential property disputes, contract issues, injunctions, and enforcement cases.
- Provide strategic and tactical legal advice, ensuring Southwark Council remains a leader in public service law.
- Represent the Council in complex and sensitive cases, including advocacy in court.
- Stay up to date with court rules, demonstrating strong file management and efficiency.
- Collaborate with officers at all levels to shape legal strategies and influence key decision-making.
You’ll be instrumental in guiding our approach to legal challenges and ensuring that Southwark remains a leader in public service law.
How will you make an impact as our Assistant Lawyer?
We’re looking for a practical, proactive, and results-driven lawyer who brings a blend of the following:
- Newly qualified or some post qualification experience as a Lawyer with relevant litigation experience, gained in legal practice.
- A current practising certificate as a Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEX Fellow (or eligibility to apply for one).
- Strong case management skills and the ability to handle a varied caseload effectively.
- Confident written and verbal communication, with a collaborative work ethic.
- Advocacy skills with a desire to represent the Council in court.
- The ability to quickly adapt to unfamiliar legal areas, becoming proficient with minimal supervision.
- A solid understanding of, or previous exposure to, public sector legal work.
- Commercial awareness and the ability to identify and successfully manage litigation risk.
About Southwark Council
Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with many social enterprises. At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals, and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice, and inequality) underpins all that we do.
Application Closing Date: 11.59pm on the 6 May 2025.
Interview Date: The week of 16 June 2025.
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
- Are currently in care or have previously been in care.
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Assistant Lawyer employer: LLG Enterprises Limited
Contact Detail:
LLG Enterprises Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Lawyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Southwark Council's recent legal cases and initiatives. Understanding their current challenges and successes will help you demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the public sector legal field, especially those who have experience with local councils. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role and may even lead to valuable referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential interview questions by practising your advocacy skills. Since the role involves representing the Council in court, showcasing your ability to argue effectively and confidently will be crucial.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on changes in public service law and litigation practices. Being knowledgeable about recent developments will not only enhance your discussions during interviews but also show your commitment to continuous learning in the legal field.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Lawyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant litigation experience and showcases your skills in case management, advocacy, and communication. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to handle a diverse caseload effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for public service law and your understanding of Southwark Council's mission. Mention how your background aligns with their commitment to diversity and community impact.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, including your current practising certificate status and any relevant post-qualification experience. This will help the hiring team quickly assess your eligibility for the role.
Showcase Your Advocacy Skills: In your application, emphasise your advocacy skills and provide examples of cases where you represented clients effectively. This is crucial for a role that involves representing the Council in court.
How to prepare for a job interview at LLG Enterprises Limited
✨Research Southwark Council
Before your interview, take the time to understand Southwark Council's values, mission, and recent initiatives. Familiarise yourself with their commitment to diversity and community impact, as this will help you align your answers with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Litigation Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous litigation cases in detail. Highlight your role, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved. This will demonstrate your practical experience and ability to handle a diverse caseload effectively.
✨Demonstrate Advocacy Skills
Since the role involves representing the Council in court, be ready to discuss your advocacy skills. Share examples of when you've successfully argued a case or influenced a decision, showcasing your confidence and communication abilities.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the team dynamics. Inquire about the types of cases you might handle or how the team collaborates on legal strategies. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.