Senior Employment Solicitor

Contract | Civic Recruitment Limited | United Kingdom

Posted On 03/02/2026

Work Experience 4-5 years

Legal / Security / Law

City Luton

Province Luton

Postal Code LU1

2 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Summary:

• The Senior Employment Solicitor will provide high-level, specialist employment law advice to the Council, senior officers, Members, and external clients including schools.
• The role involves handling complex and high-risk employment matters, delivering pragmatic and business-focused legal solutions, and representing the Council before Courts and Tribunals.
• The post holder will play a key role in supporting major council projects and ensuring compliance with public sector policy drivers and statutory obligations.

Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):

• Provide expert legal advice on complex employment law matters, including discrimination, equal pay, pensions, TUPE, trade union issues and restructures.
• Deliver timely, authoritative day-to-day advice to HR and senior managers on casework such as sickness absence, performance management, disciplinaries and grievances.
• Represent the Council as an advocate before Courts and Tribunals, particularly the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal.
• Instruct and manage Counsel, attend hearings and case conferences, and oversee Judicial Reviews and other legal challenges.
• Draft, negotiate and settle a wide range of legal documents to implement Council decisions and manage employment litigation.
• Prepare reports for and attend Executive, Committees and other Member meetings, providing clear legal and procedural advice on complex matters.
• Support corporate and cross-departmental projects, contributing to policy development and implementation.
• Manage a complex and demanding caseload autonomously, prioritising competing deadlines effectively.

Skills/

Experience:

• Substantial post-qualification experience (minimum 7 years) as a specialist employment lawyer.
• Proven experience providing senior-level, pragmatic and commercially aware employment law advice in both contentious and non-contentious matters.
• Strong advocacy experience before Employment Tribunals and Courts.
• Demonstrable experience handling complex employment issues including discrimination, equal pay, pensions, TUPE and trade union matters.
• Ability to assess and clearly communicate legal and business risk to senior stakeholders.
• Excellent drafting skills, including the ability to produce original legal documents and clauses.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to advise Members, Directors and senior officers clearly and confidently.
• Experience working autonomously under pressure while managing a heavy and varied caseload.

Additional Information:

• The closing date: 06/02/2026.
• Qualification:
  
  Solicitor or Barrister qualified in England & Wales (with practising certificate or rights of audience).