Lawyer - Adult Social Care

Are you an experienced legal professional looking to use your expertise to make a real difference to people and communities?

Devon County Council is looking for a Lawyer, specialising in Adult Social Care law to join our Legal Services team. This is an opportunity to undertake varied and complex work, providing high-quality legal advice and representation on matters that directly support the delivery of vital public services.

You'll work with colleagues and clients across the Council, managing your own caseload with a high degree of autonomy while being part of an experienced and supportive legal team. The role requires significant and relevant experience in adult social care law, including experience of leading more complex matters and comprehensive legal knowledge.

As a Lawyer, you will provide legal advice and assistance to the Council, with a focus on Adult Social Care Law. Working with minimal supervision, you will manage a varied caseload and provide practical, solutions-focused advice to colleagues and stakeholders.

• Drafting, negotiating and settling applications, orders and other relevant legal documents.
• Providing legal advice and assistance to officers and services on Adult Social Care matters.
• Managing complex cases, including drafting pleadings, taking witness statements, attending mediation and contested and non-contested court hearings.
• Undertaking negotiations on behalf of the Council and liaising with counsel, solicitors and other representatives where appropriate.
• Where appropriate, advising stakeholders on matters with wider Council implications, attending panels and participating in project boards where required.
• Providing supervision and support to junior colleagues on more complicated cases.
• Supporting senior lawyers and developing effective working relationships with clients and colleagues across the Council.

Permanent
Full Time 37 hours per week

Work base: County Hall, Exeter

Relocation packages are available for exceptional candidates out of area.

Successful candidates will receive 31 days' annual leave (pro-rata). Additional leave purchase options and flexible working arrangements are also available.

We are building the next chapter of Legal Services in Devon, and we would like you to be part of it. Following a recent restructure, designed to strengthen the service for the future, a number of our colleagues have successfully progressed into new roles. Their progression has created opportunities across our newly structured service and we are now looking for talented people to join us. With opportunities at different stages of a legal career, this is a great time to join, develop and make your mark in Devon.

We're looking for someone who can combine strong legal expertise with sound judgement, excellent communication skills and the confidence to work autonomously.

You will:

• Be a qualified solicitor or barrister, or hold a CILEX professional qualification or equivalent, with the appropriate professional registration.
• Have significant and relevant experience within adult social care law.
• Have experience of leading more complex matters and cases.
• Have strong advocacy skills and the ability to analyse factual situations, research the relevant law and apply it effectively.
• Be confident managing your own caseload, priorities and deadlines.
• Be an excellent communicator, able to build effective relationships and influence others.
• Be able to consider the wider context of individual cases and provide strategic advice on Council policy and practice.
• Be organised, resilient and able to develop practical and creative solutions, including when working under pressure

Previous experience of managing others and a good understanding of local government law and procedures would be advantageous, but these are listed as desirable rather than essential requirements in the job description.

At Devon County Council, you'll find more than just a legal role. You'll have the opportunity to apply your expertise to work that has a direct impact on local people and public services.

Work alongside experienced legal colleagues, take responsibility for complex matters and support junior members of the team as you continue to develop your professional expertise.

Your work can extend beyond individual cases, with opportunities to advise on matters with wider Council implications and contribute to panels and project boards.