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- Tasks: Provide expert employment law advice to schools and educational institutions.
- Company: Leading legal firm with a strong reputation in the education sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive team environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to build your own practice niche.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Experience in employment law and a passion for supporting educational institutions.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Due to growth and an influx of client work, we are excited to be recruiting for a new Senior Associate/Legal Director level employment lawyer to join our successful and Legal 500 ranked Education department based in our London office. The department undertakes all and any legal work for schools and colleges. It is organised into three teams: (1) Property & School Organisation; (2) School Support; and (3) Schools HR/Employment.
This new hire for our Schools HR/Employment team would see you provide a broad range of employment advice to schools, academies, multi-academy trusts, dioceses and other educational institutions, as well as our strategic partners and HR consultancies in the education sector. The candidate will also provide support to the School Support team, who advise on admissions, exclusions, parental complaints, FOIA and DPA, governance, contracts and safeguarding.
The team has built a reputation for high-quality, cost-effective advice to schools and academies. Our service is highly responsive and clients, many of whom are inexperienced buyers of legal services, require quick, good legal advice often in a crisis. A typical day would be varied as you provide advice on a wide range of employment/HR matters, including the opportunity to get involved in contentious work dealing with claims in the employment tribunal and at appeal level (including to the EAT).
ABOUT YOU
If you have a passion for employment law and want a job that is different to other employer work (due to its rewarding nature acting for schools and benefiting the interests of children and the wider education system), this would be an excellent opportunity to work in a highly regarded and supportive team. The work the Schools HR team is also often at the leading edge of employment law.
As an experienced employment lawyer, you would be able to comfortably explain your technical expertise in providing day-to-day HR and employment law advice and support in a variety of scenarios, confidently handling employment tribunal claims from inception to final hearing and have the ability to provide clear and easy to understand advice.
We would welcome applications from private practice, in-house and public sector legal teams. In return, you will be exposed to great quality interesting work and have the opportunity to grow your expertise and personal brand in a collaborative, entrepreneurial and supportive working environment. For the right person, the opportunity to develop their own practice niche and team around them would also be available.
Schools HR/Employment Lawyer in London employer: Winckworth Sherwood LLP
Contact Detail:
Winckworth Sherwood LLP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Schools HR/Employment Lawyer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the education sector. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at firms you’re interested in. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of employment law, especially as it relates to schools and educational institutions. We recommend practising common interview questions and scenarios you might face, so you can showcase your expertise confidently.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. We suggest mentioning something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and are genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, don’t hesitate – get your application in and let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Schools HR/Employment Lawyer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Education Law: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for employment law in the education sector shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission to support schools and benefit children.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight relevant experience that showcases your ability to handle employment tribunal claims and provide HR advice. We love seeing how your background fits into the unique challenges faced by educational institutions.
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate straightforward communication, so keep your application clear and to the point. Use simple language to explain your expertise and how you can contribute to our Schools HR team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our growing team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Winckworth Sherwood LLP
✨Know Your Employment Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in employment law, especially as it pertains to the education sector. Be prepared to discuss recent cases or changes in legislation that could impact schools and academies.
✨Showcase Your Client-Focused Approach
Since the role involves providing quick and effective legal advice to clients who may not be familiar with legal jargon, practice explaining complex legal concepts in simple terms. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated with clients in a crisis.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
This position is all about collaboration within the Schools HR team. Be ready to share experiences where you've worked effectively in a team, particularly in high-pressure situations. Highlight how you can support your colleagues while also taking the lead when necessary.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to face hypothetical scenarios related to employment law issues in schools. Prepare by thinking through how you would handle various situations, such as dealing with an employment tribunal claim or advising on a parental complaint. This will show your practical understanding of the role.