Senior Lawyer with management responsibilities (SEN) in Huntingdon

Working on a hybrid-remote basis from any of our offices; Huntingdon, Northampton or Shefford.

Contract: Permanent, Full time

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

• To work as part of a team in the provision of a professional legal service to a range of public sector and not for profit clients regarding SEN and education, ensuring awareness of and compliance with legal duties within client organisations and protecting their best interests.
• To manage a case load of complex cases, comprising mainly SEN Tribunal cases, with minimum supervision.
• To undertake advocacy in case management hearings and final hearings in the first tier SEND Tribunal and to instruct counsel as appropriate.
• To ensure the effective identification and awareness of risks associated with the relevant areas of legal practice.
• To attend client liaison meetings to discuss ongoing cases and provide reassurance of a high quality service.
• To act as a point of contact on a variety of cases, to include taking instructions and giving advice, carrying out research, preparing applications, drafting documents and correspondence, commissioning and instructing expert witnesses, liaising with witnesses, attending meetings and providing advice and representation in courts or tribunals.
• To develop, train and advise clients in legal skills and specific areas of law as appropriate.
• To support the Pathfinder Legal Services management team in building and maintaining effective working relationships with clients to ensure the delivery of a seamless and client focussed service.
• To support the Pathfinder Legal Services management team by complying with all SRA and practice management requirements including time recording, billing, Lexcel and other accreditation schemes.
• To support the Pathfinder Legal Services management team in developing and maintaining effective partnerships, networks and joint working arrangements to ensure the most effective provision of legal services to meet the needs and aspirations of clients.
• To make a positive contribution to the Litigation Team and contribute to the development, training or mentoring of colleagues where required.
• Manage the activities of the team to include performance, caseloads and productivity, motivation and development, recruitment and selection and appraisals.
• Supervise other members of the team in a line management capacity.
• To provide overall management of the team's complex and politically sensitive case load to ensure the provision of high quality, well researched and comprehensive legal advice within the timescales required by the client.
• Provide supervision and manage the work of the team to ensure that professional guidance is given, that expertise is employed and work is allocated appropriately within the team.
• To carry out other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope and purpose of the job description as required by the Director of Pathfinder Legal Services, Heads of Service or Principal Lawyers from time to time and which are commensurate with the grade of the post.
• To act as an authorised signatory for an appropriate shareholder client.
• To buddy, train and support colleagues.

Benefits

• Local Government Pensions Scheme – considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates.
• Flexible working arrangements – we offer flexible hours and hybrid working which allows for remote working but we also require regular office attendance with the aim to give everyone a balanced work/life ratio.
• Family Friendly policies including excellent Maternity, Paternity and Adoption entitlements.
• An exceptional Employee Assistance Program which helps supports employees with workplace changes as well as other work, family and personal issues.
• A generous minimum annual leave entitlement of 25 days, rising on 5 and 10 years service, plus public holidays. With the option to purchase more annual leave.

To apply for this position please send your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the Person Specification to recruitment@pathfinderlegal.co.uk. When applying, please quote reference 'LIT-059'. Closing date for applications: 5th June 2026 at 12:00pm. PLEASE NOTE: we will only accept applications where a supporting covering letter showing how you meet the person specification and a CV is submitted.