Lawyer

Contract Details: 6 months Fixed term contract until March/April 2027 dependant on start date
Salary: £42,971 – £45,082 per annum (includes London weighting). Plus pay premia of £6K per annum (up to 5 years PQE)/ £8.5K (5 years and over PQE)
Hours: Full time (30 hours over 4 days)

Friends of the Earth is a leading environmental NGO, concerned with the protection of the environment and social justice.It is the largest grassroots environmental campaigning community in the country, and one of the oldest and largest worldwide.We arein the midst ofa climate crisis, and the natural world around us is in decline. This could be suitable for a relatively newly qualified Lawyer (up to 4 years PQE) but applications from any suitably qualified candidates will be welcomed regardless of career stage. We are looking for someone to join our team on a fixed term contract to help save the planet and achieve environmental justice,

The Friends of the Earth legal team is a cross-cutting team providing expert support and intellectual leadership in our campaigning. We need a lawyer with strong experience in planning and environmental law, and a good understanding of using the law in campaigning.This is an exciting opportunity to use the law and planning policy to make positive change happen.

As a Lawyer you will provide Friends of the Earth with legal advice and representation in support of our overall aims and objectives, including to: inform and/or develop campaign strategy or tactics, identify, develop and/or deliver litigation and planning casework opportunities,support and provide training to communities,and to help win campaigns. A core focus of the role is to defend and extend environmental justiceand to do that as an effective member of an established team.Working with our Head of Legal and Senior Lawyer, you will provide essential additional capacity and support to the team, during a busy period, as we undergo a period of campaign planning and restructuring.

Key Skills and Attributes

You must be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a practicing certificate in England and Wales. You will have proven experience of working in UK public law, and with expertise in the environmental and planning sectors.

Litigation experience and knowledge of the domestic planning system are important, and you will have had conduct of environmental and planning cases. As a creative and strategicthinker, you will add value to campaigns by identifying legal opportunities that have impact.

Being able to workwellunder pressure and to present complex legal information clearly and concisely to non-lawyers is an essential part of the job, and you will also be able to communicate effectively and confidently to a range of audiences and at significant public events.

The successful candidate must be ableto work with a range of different people, and to value and respect that diversity.A strong team orientated work ethic isessential, along with a demonstrable understanding and commitment to environmental and/or social justice(including how law can effect positive change).

Our staff body is currently under-representative of People of Colour, LGBTQIA+ people and people with long term conditions or impairments. We are committed to eroding these historic barriers, so as to create a movement in which people from all walks of life see themselves in, and so we particularly encourage you to apply if you belong to one of these groups or sit at multiple intersections of disadvantage. We are committed to the Disability Confident standard and will guarantee an interview to any candidates who declare a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the role.