Lawyer in Preston

We are looking for an experienced Litigation Lawyer to join our Legal and Governance Service. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a supportive and collaborative team, providing specialist legal advice, case management and representation across a broad range of civil litigation matters, including personal injury, employers’ liability, public liability, industrial disease, data protection, Human Rights Act claims, judicial review and inquests.

The successful candidate will manage their own caseload of litigated and pre‑litigated matters, draft legal documents such as defences and advices, prepare witness evidence, liaise with counsel and the Coroner, and undertake their own advocacy including case management conferences and preliminary hearings. They will be a key point of contact for services across the Council, providing timely, accurate and solution‑focused legal advice.

We are seeking a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with demonstrable experience in litigation, ideally within a local authority or similar setting. You will have strong communication skills and the ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision. Experience of applying the Civil Procedure Rules, drafting complex legal documents, advising on judicial review pre‑action protocol matters, and handling sensitive or high‑value claims—particularly those relating to Children’s and Adult Services—is highly desirable.

Council employees work on a hybrid basis. The post is based at County Hall, Preston, but there is flexibility to work from home. In return, Lancashire County Council offers a generous benefits package, including a pension scheme and annual leave entitlement. We value being supportive, innovative, respectful and collaborative, and we are committed to helping our communities flourish.

Please ensure you upload a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the criteria for the role. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.