Employment Lawyer in Essex

Employment Lawyer in Essex

Essex Full-Time 43400 - 49000 Β£ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on employment matters and manage a varied caseload.
  • Company: Join Thurrock Council's dynamic Legal Services Team.
  • Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, flexible working, and ongoing training.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in employment law while growing your career.
  • Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives required.
  • Other info: Supportive environment with opportunities for professional development.

The predicted salary is between 43400 - 49000 Β£ per year.

Thurrock Council is seeking an Employment Lawyer to join its Legal Services Team to provide expert legal advice and representation on employment matters for the Council. This includes managing a varied caseload, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, and supporting governance processes to protect the Council's interests. This is an exciting opportunity with growth in abundance at Thurrock.

We are looking for someone with a passion for employment law, a proactive mindset, and a desire to grow professionally in a supportive and experienced environment. We welcome applications from candidates with experience in Employment Law matters who can demonstrate confidence in their specialism and show excellent legal aptitude. We are seeking a candidate with the requisite skills to build strong relationships and trust with all key stakeholders to provide support to the Council with minimum supervision.

As an Employment Lawyer, you will be responsible for:

  • Legal Advice and Case Management: Provide legal advice and support on a wide range of issues varying in complexity, including:
  • Providing legal advice to internal clients and stakeholders on all aspects of employment law.
  • Taking instructions and responding to employment claims.
  • Drafting legal responses.
  • Conducting case management/preliminary hearings.
  • Instructing and liaising with counsel for tribunal proceedings where external counsel may be required.
  • Drafting settlement agreements.
  • Advising panel members in relation to disciplinary hearings and drafting outcome decisions.
  • Case management and advice on legal challenges around the SEND and TUPE processes.
  • Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of legislation, case law, and best practice.
  • Advocacy and Representation: Provide advice to councillors, stakeholders and senior officers; liaise with external bodies and legal advisers; attend decision-making meetings (remote or in person as required); undertake advocacy at the Employment Tribunal if necessary.
  • Contribute to the innovative improvement of the Legal Services Team, including streamlining and case management workflow systems.
  • Support junior members of the team, including the Legal Apprentice, in legal practice and procedure, contributing towards their professional development.
  • Contribute to governance processes, ensuring legal compliance and sound decision-making.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, case law, and best practice.
  • Carry out research and provide legal advice to Client Departments on related legal transactions.
  • Engage with senior officers and Members to offer high-quality legal services with a focus on social justice.
  • Collaborate with directorates to ensure efficient delivery of Council priorities.
  • Become a trusted advisor, advocate and problem solver as you contribute to Thurrock's vision of client-focused and innovative service delivery.
  • Personally manage a caseload and work unsupervised.
  • Prepare, negotiate, draft, agree and process legal documents.
  • Record key actions and ensure data is regularly updated.
  • Collate and send or check supporting legal and financial documents.
  • Protect the Council's interests while taking precautions against potential fraud and money laundering.
  • Review and update templates and procedures as appropriate.
  • Notify and advise on any instructions or events that would result in a breach by the Council or an individual of any legislation, common law, standing order, or rule of propriety, or would constitute maladministration.
  • Attend and participate in meetings with Officers of the Council and provide legal advice when required.
  • Be willing and able to work in a flexible and agile way with regards to hours and location of work, including remote and home working, as required, subject to service needs. Two days minimum attendance in the office.
  • We’re looking for someone who has:

    • Skills and Abilities: Excellent demonstrable knowledge of leading on complex and high-profile local government employment cases, including preliminary hearings, tribunal proceedings, instructing Counsel for trials, drafting settlement agreements, advising on disciplinary hearings, and advising on TUPE and related matters.
    • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to explain complex legal issues clearly and confidently.
    • Ability to work collaboratively and build partnerships with experienced clients and colleagues.
    • High emotional intelligence (EQ) with the ability to build positive working relationships and navigate sensitive issues professionally.
    • You will be an effective leader acting as an ambassador for legal services across the council, sharing good practice and encouraging innovation among colleagues, including training/mentoring junior members of the team.
    • Attend and advise in Committee Meetings.
    • Excellent organisational skills, able to manage a complex and varied workload with a flexible and innovative approach, ensuring deadlines are met.
    • Proactive and self-motivated, with a growth mindset and a willingness to learn.
    • Ability to work on your own initiative with minimal supervision, to undertake research and make accurate, considered judgments and decisions.
    • Ability to relate the Council's key policy objectives to the provision of the legal service and assist on best-value initiatives and improvements to client care.
  • Special Knowledge: Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. Advocacy skills. Good general understanding of IT systems, especially case management/time recording packages. Excellent numeracy and literacy skills. Understanding of Local Government structures and legal frameworks. Understanding of Law Society practice management standards.
  • Experience: Experience leading on complex and high-profile local government employment cases, including preliminaries, tribunal proceedings, and instructing Counsel for trials, drafting settlement agreements, advising on disciplinary hearings, and TUPE matters. Experience of working toward achieving/monitoring quality initiatives.
  • Essential qualifications: Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. DBS Check: Standard.
  • At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

    • Generous annual leave entitlement
    • Local Government Pension Scheme
    • Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
    • Ongoing training and professional development
    • Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
    • Staff discounts and local offers
    • A supportive and inclusive working environment

    Important Dates:

    • Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 22 January 2026
    • Closing Date (Internal & External): 8 February 2026
    • Interview Date: w/c 12 February 2026 or 19 February 2026

    If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact: Godwin Mangse - Principal Lawyer, Litigation Team.

    Employment Lawyer in Essex employer: Thurrock Council

    Thurrock Council is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and dynamic work environment for Employment Lawyers. With a strong focus on professional growth, employees benefit from ongoing training, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive culture that values collaboration and innovation. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to develop your career in local government law.
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    Contact Detail:

    Thurrock Council Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

    We think this is how you could land Employment Lawyer in Essex

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in employment law. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to employment law. Think about how you can showcase your experience with complex cases and your ability to build relationships with stakeholders.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up! Be proactive and reach out to organisations you admire, like Thurrock Council. Express your interest in their work and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Follow up after interviews with a thank-you email. It’s a great way to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and remind them why you’re the perfect fit for their team!

    We think you need these skills to ace Employment Lawyer in Essex

    Employment Law Expertise
    Legal Advice and Representation
    Case Management
    Drafting Legal Documents
    Advocacy Skills
    Communication Skills
    Interpersonal Skills
    Emotional Intelligence
    Organisational Skills
    Proactive Mindset
    Research Skills
    Understanding of Local Government Structures
    IT Proficiency in Case Management Systems
    Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives

    Some tips for your application 🫑

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in employment law. We want to see how your skills align with the specific requirements of the Employment Lawyer role at Thurrock Council.

    Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for employment law shine through! Share examples of how you've tackled complex cases or contributed to innovative solutions in your previous roles. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about the field.

    Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your strengths.

    Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly and can process your application smoothly. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Thurrock Council

    ✨Know Your Employment Law Inside Out

    Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in employment law, especially those relevant to local government. Be prepared to discuss recent cases or changes in legislation that could impact the Council's operations.

    ✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

    As an Employment Lawyer, you'll need to explain complex legal issues clearly. Practice articulating your thoughts on employment matters in a straightforward manner, and be ready to demonstrate how you've successfully communicated with stakeholders in the past.

    ✨Demonstrate Your Case Management Experience

    Be ready to talk about your experience managing a varied caseload. Highlight specific examples where you've handled complex cases, including preliminary hearings and tribunal proceedings, and how you ensured compliance with statutory obligations.

    ✨Emphasise Your Collaborative Approach

    The role requires building strong relationships with key stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've worked collaboratively in previous roles, particularly in advising on disciplinary hearings or liaising with external bodies, to show you're a team player.

    Employment Lawyer in Essex
    Thurrock Council
    Location: Essex
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