Rook Irwin Sweeney – Education Solicitor (Maternity Cover – 12 month contract)

Location: London (but fully remote or hybrid available if required)

Salary: £45,000 to £60,000 according to experience and location

Hours: Full time (the firm works a reduced hours working week, where the firm works 90% of our full‑time working hours for a full‑time salary (or the pro rata equivalent). This is not a compressed hours arrangement)

Are you looking to develop your legal career by working on cutting‑edge cases in a dynamic and progressive law firm? Rook Irwin Sweeney are recruiting for a full time education solicitor for a fixed 12 month contract (maternity cover), although there is the potential for this to become a permanent role at the end of that 12 month contract, subject to business need. This role is predominantly to assist with the firm’s education work. This will include advising parents of children with SEND, acting in the First Tier Tribunal on issues relating to EHCPs and disability discrimination, judicial review work relating to education issues, and advice work to schools.

This is an exciting time to join Rook Irwin Sweeney, as we continue to develop and expand our legal services since launching in March 2020.

About Rook Irwin Sweeney: Rook Irwin Sweeney is a specialist public law and human rights firm with a particular focus on the rights of disabled people and their families. Recognised in Chambers UK 2026 as “exceptional in every way”, we are known for our cutting‑edge work holding public authorities to account, as well as our dedication to individual clients. The firm is ranked in Chambers UK 2026 and Legal 500 – including a Tier 1 ranking in Legal 500 for our education work – and recognised as one of The Times’ best law firms in England and Wales in 2026.

The firm operates a hybrid working model, with a staffed office in Bethnal Green, East London. We are a friendly and dedicated team – we are looking for a new solicitor who shares our values and will help the firm continue to grow its important and exciting public law work.

The role: We are looking for a full time solicitor with a minimum of 2 years PQE to assist predominantly with the firm’s education work. We feel that this role would best suit a solicitor with 2‑4 years PQE but we would also consider applications from more experienced candidates. The role will involve taking on an existing caseload of education cases, to cover maternity leave. The majority of cases will involve advice to parents of disabled children, and appeals in the First Tier Tribunal. We also advise on judicial review cases (mostly pre‑action work) relating to education law issues. Some of the cases will also involve health, social care and capacity/best interest related issues, so some experience of these areas of law (particularly in the context of advising disabled children and young people) is preferred, although not essential. There may be some opportunity to also work on wider health and social care/Court of Protection matters in the longer term, if the position becomes permanent. However for the duration of the 12‑month fixed‑term contract, this will primarily be an Education Solicitor role.

General responsibilities and tasks:

• Manage own caseload, including time recording and billing
• Assist the firm’s partners with delegated tasks on their own cases
• Assist with managing and responding to New Enquiries and applications to the firm’s Social Justice Fund
• Assist with the other fee earners’ files when they are absent from the office
• Ensure that diary dates are observed
• Meet relevant quality and professional standards
• Business development appropriate to your role
• Contribute effectively to team financial targets

Who we are looking for: As a solicitor you will run your own education case load and may at times work with the partners and other solicitors on their cases. You will assist with business development, bringing in new leads, and building up relationships with existing and new clients. Candidates will need to demonstrate a passion for education law and the rights of disabled children and young people, as well as excellent client care, organisational and communication skills. You will be able to work in a fast‑paced environment within a team, as well as being comfortable using your own initiative. A minimum of 2 years post qualification experience of education law is essential. Knowledge of wider public law (judicial review), community care and health and welfare work is preferable, but is not essential. However we will offer you all of the training and support you need to succeed in your role.

The benefits of working with Rook Irwin Sweeney: Rook Irwin Sweeney places a strong emphasis on the wellbeing of its people. We work a reduced hours working week, where we work 90% of our full‑time working hours for a full‑time salary (or the pro rata equivalent). This is not a compressed hours arrangement. We have a self‑managed annual leave policy, where we encourage staff to manage their own annual leave responsibly, so that providing you are able to meet the requirements and responsibilities of your job, there is no set limit on the number of days off you may take. We also have monthly reflective practice sessions facilitated by a clinical psychologist, a flexible working policy, optional private healthcare, and employees will also have access to a 24 hour employee assistance programme. We do not have individual costs or time targets and instead the team works towards a collective team target for the financial year.

Competencies and requirements:

• Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience as a solicitor in the relevant areas of law
• Experience of attending clients
• Experience of briefing Counsel
• Experience of attending conferences with Counsel
• Experience of liaising with third parties such as expert witnesses
• Experience of drafting documents and court pleadings
• Knowledge and experience of education law and First Tier Tribunal cases
• Some knowledge of advising schools is preferable but not essential
• Experience of building up relationships with clients and referrers, and in supporting business development initiatives

Practical skills:

• Interviewing skills
• Telephone skills
• Drafting skills
• Legal knowledge and experience
• Time management skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English
• Ability to prioritise own workload
• Ability to work as part of a team

Rook Irwin Sweeney is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to supporting the wellbeing of its staff.