Job Title: Employment Lawyer
Council: London Borough Council
Working Pattern: Full-time – Hybrid (1 day office attendance per fortnight)
Rate: £55 per hour (umbrella)
Duration: 6 months+ (potential for extension)
 
Venn Group’s public sector legal team is working with a London Borough Council, who are seeking an experienced Employment Lawyer to join their legal team on a locum basis. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled employment law professional looking to take on a full-time role within the public sector, with a hybrid working arrangement.
 
Job Overview:
The successful candidate will provide expert legal advice and support on a wide range of employment law matters, including disciplinary issues, grievances, employment disputes, and HR policies. The role will involve advising the council on legal compliance, handling employment tribunal claims, and supporting senior officers on a variety of complex employment-related matters. The work will be varied and challenging, offering the opportunity to handle both contentious and non-contentious matters, often dealing with politically sensitive issues.
 
Key Responsibilities:
• Provide expert legal advice to HR teams, managers, and senior officers on all aspects of employment law, including disciplinary, grievance, and performance management issues
• Advise on and represent the council in employment tribunal claims, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, and whistleblowing cases
• Draft and review key employment documents, including contracts, policies, and settlement agreements
• Support in the management of complex employment disputes, such as multi-discriminatory unfair dismissal claims or TUPE implications on sensitive service recommissions
• Work with client officers at all levels across the organisation, including negotiating settled exits and advising on rapidly introduced changes to public sector employment regulations
• Collaborate on mini-project teams within the organisation, handling challenging cases such as responding to potential case law-making direct TUPE claims or advising on marriage discrimination claims
• Provide strategic advice on HR practices to ensure compliance with employment legislation, case law, and best practices
 
Requirements:
• Qualified solicitor, barrister, or FILEx Legal Executive with significant experience in employment law
• Proven ability to advise on a wide range of employment issues, including disciplinary, grievances, and employment tribunal claims
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, including the Employment Rights Act, Equality Act, and ACAS guidelines
• Experience in employment tribunal advocacy and case management
• Strong drafting skills with experience in creating employment contracts, policies, and HR documentation
 
Job Highlights:
• A varied caseload of both contentious and non-contentious employment law matters, including employment disputes, discrimination claims, TUPE issues, and settled exits
• Opportunity to work with client officers at all levels of the organisation and be part of mini-project teams on challenging matters
• Engaging with complex cases such as multi-discriminatory claims and responding to potentially ground-breaking legal challenges
• An excellent team environment with a proven success rate at tribunal, where your work is appreciated by clients and stakeholders
 
This role is ideal for an Employment Lawyer looking for a full-time, hybrid opportunity within a London Borough. The position offers the chance to work on a wide range of complex employment law matters while maintaining flexibility in working arrangements.
 
How to Apply:
For further details, please contact Aidan Sallis at Venn Group:
Aidan Sallis – 07441 916 456
asallis@venngroup.com / southeastlegal@venngroup.com
 
Venn Group is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates. All salaries and PQE ranges stated serve only as a guide, and all applicants will be considered on their individual merits.