Education Solicitor

Join to apply for the Education Solicitor role at Slater and Gordon Lawyers (UK)

We are currently recruiting for a talented Lawyer to join our Education team.

We are open to receiving applicants to work from either our Manchester, Liverpool or Birmingham offices.

You will be assisting on and running your own education cases. You will play a vital role in securing appropriate provision, placements and therapies for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

• Provide a timely and professional service to clients
• Meet and talk with clients to establish the firm's suitability to provide the necessary advice and services, based on the firm's specialism and likely cost.
• Take client instructions, and ensure they are implemented appropriately.
• Monitor clients’ costs in respect of their cost estimate and ensure that clients are updated where necessary.
• Advise clients on the law and legal issues relating to their case in person, via telephone, email, and virtual meeting as appropriate.
• Maintain an accurate and up to date record of each matter within the firm’s case management software.
• Ensure that all relevant deadlines are recorded and adhered to.
• Drafting the necessary legal documents for each case ensuring they are tailored to the client’s individual needs
• Negotiate with clients and other professionals to secure agreed objectives.
• Research and analyse documents and case law to ensure the accuracy of advice and procedure.
• Correspond with clients and opposing solicitors/Responsible Bodies
• Attend meetings with clients and opposing parties.
• Instruct barristers or specialist advocates to appear in tribunal for the client
• Advise on the instructions of independent experts to act in legal proceedings.
• Delegate work to trainee solicitors and paralegals as appropriate, providing clear instructions, and support where required.
• Expected to bring in cases and build own caseload as well as working with existing referral sources
• Attend marketing events to provide free legal advice and promote Slater & Gordon services. This will occasionally require evening and/or weekend working and/or overnight stays. Such marketing events to be equally shared amongst the legal team.
• Contribute to social media, produce articles, PowerPoint presentations and work with charities as required

• A sharp and analytical mind
• A diligent and methodical approach
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to plan work and prioritise tasks.
• Excellent team working skills.
• A passion for and/or special interest in special educational needs and disability law
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• An approachable and considerate nature
• Commercial awareness and negotiating skills.
• Ability to use initiative.
• A flexible approach to work and openness to new ideas
• Ability to prioritise work and respond to interruptions to planned workload.
• Ability to deal with urgent deadlines.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Experience working in education/public law or in a complimentary area where your skills are transferrable.

We have a wide range of core and voluntary benefits:

• Hybrid working – 2 days per week working in the office (must live a reasonable distance to commute to the office)
• 35 hours per week – Monday to Friday
• 25 days holiday allowance plus bank holidays
• Buy and sell annual leave up to 5 days
• Aviva Digicare+ Workplace App providing you with services including annual health checks, access to Digital GP’s, mental health consultations, 2nd medical opinions and much more
• Employee Assistance Programme where you can access free webinars for stress awareness and counselling sessions
• Group Income Protection which will support you with an income if you are unable to work long term, as a result of a qualifying illness or injury
• Health and Wellbeing Programmes and apps including gym discounts, private medical insurance, cycle to work scheme, meditation sessions and much more
• Life Assurance cover
• Benefits Hub providing discounts to over 700 services including cinema tickets, food and drink, travel, and high street stores
• Free legal help and discounted lawyer led legal services

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