We have an exciting opportunity for a Solicitor to join our team

SEN Legal is a long-established specialist education and disability law firm with a national client base. We act on behalf of parents and young persons in SEND tribunal appeals, disability discrimination claims, judicial review claims, deputyship applications, social care and other related matters.

 

​

SEN Legal also provide advice to schools and academy groups with regards to Ofsted, funding, consultations, contract terms, annual reviews and potential judicial review claims and proceedings.

​

 

Our solicitors provide training to schools and academies to make sure they are up to date on the law and know how to handle situations with Local Authorities. We also run training sessions and workshops for several charities and parent groups to ensure all parents can access the correct legal information irrespective of means.

​

Our Team

SEN Legal are a small practice, with a very specialist focus, and clients can rest assured that they are in good hands. We operate a family-friendly type practice where everybody is listened to and can help to shape the future of our firm.

​

Due to our exceptional reputation and active engagement with our potential client base, we have fostered a healthy client in-take, with repeated incidences of return instructions over extended periods of time. As such, we are looking to expand our legal team, and ensure expertise in this niche area of law into the future.

​

Our team are split across two offices, Bury St Edmunds, and one in Cambridge. Bury St Edmunds is easily accessibly by car with ample parking, and Cambridge is easily accessible by train.

​

Your Role

You will join our team of Solicitors, managed by Head of Legal, Nicole Lee.

​

You will be running your own caseload of education and social care cases and will be responsible supervising paralegals and trainee solicitors. You will play a vital role in securing appropriate provision, placements and therapies for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

​

Responsibilities

• Provide a timely and professional service to clients of the practice.

• Conduct yourself professionally and personally in a manner which upholds the public trust and confidence in the profession.

• Speak on a pro-bono basis with potential new clients and provide generic legal advice as to possible ways forwards.

• 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 within the firm’s case management software and are adhered to.

• Draft documents, letters and contracts tailored to the client's individual needs.

• Drafting the necessary legal documents for each case

• Negotiate with clients and other professionals to secure agreed objectives.

• Coordinate the work of all parties involved.

• Once an agreement has been reached, ensure that it is implemented.

• 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 and negotiations with clients and opposing parties.

• Attend Annual Review meetings, Care Plan reviews, Healthcare Plan reviews, Child in Need meetings, Child Protection meeting, round table meetings as appropriate.

• Act on behalf of clients in disputes and represent them in Court as appropriate.

• Instruct barristers or specialist advocates to appear in court for the client in complex disputes.

• Advise on the instructions of independent experts to act in legal proceedings.

• Work in a team, sometimes referring cases to Senior Solicitors

• Delegate work to trainee solicitors and paralegals as appropriate, providing clear instructions, and support where required.

• Supervise and perfect documents prior to their being issued.

• Arrange and attend further client meetings where necessary to progress with the case and finalise documentation.

• Check all documentation prior to signing and implementing.

• Keep up to date with changes and developments in the law by reading journals and law reports.

• Be proactive in ensuring that you maintain your ongoing competence, and plan and address you learning and development needs.

• Attend marketing events to provide free legal advice and promote SEN Legal 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 the SEN Legal social media, produce webpages, articles for the newsletter, PowerPoint presentations and work with charities as required from time to time.

• To encourage and contribute a positive, supportive, and ambitious work environment for all of SEN Legal’s members.

​

What We Are Looking For

Below is a brief list of the attributes we are looking for in candidates:

​

• 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.

• The ability to lead and delegate responsibility.

• Experience working in education/public law or in a complimentary area where your skills are transferrable.

• Proven experience of handling your own cases.

• A professional approach to work, integrity, and a respect for confidentiality.

​

What we offer

• Generous salary commensurate with experience

• 20 days annual leave excluding bank holidays, and extended time off over the Christmas break (in addition to your annual leave entitlement). Increased annual leave for 5- and 10-years’ service.

• Remote working two days per week.

• Flexible working across our offices and shift patterns.

• Private Health Insurance

• Access to Health Assured Employee Assistance Program

• Reward incentives, including two separate bonus schemes paid out in the summer holidays and at Christmas (once probation has been completed)

• Regular team building events and activities.

• Opportunities to attend large scale marketing events such as the Dyslexia Show and the Autism Show, also to work with multiple charities and parent groups.

• Pension scheme

• Practicing certificate fully funded

• Fully funded external training in complimentary areas of your choosing

• Dog friendly offices

• IT systems, with all hardware and software provided.

​

Please send your application by way of a CV and covering letter to our Practice Manager, Kyra Harvey (kyra.harvey@senlegal.co.uk) – applications close Friday 17th May 2024.

 

​