How long have you been in
post?
Eleven years as solicitor and senior solicitor.
Could you briefly describe a 'typical' day?
My typical day includes dealing with requests for advice from
departments of the council as well as external clients on various
aspects of employment law and education law.
This can include advising upon developments in the law, policy
matters and individual problems with a legal aspect.
I also deal with employment law claims made against the council
by employees and former employees of the council.
On occasion this work can involve me attending employment
tribunals and the employment appeal tribunal. I do sometimes do my
own advocacy before employment tribunals.
What is the best thing about your job?
There is always an interesting variety of work and I enjoy
finding solutions for clients.
Is there anything you'd change about it if you could?
Sometimes I would like to be able to be more proactive than
reactive.
How would people get into this sort of work? (any particular
career path/qualifications needed? If not how did you get into the
work?)
To work at senior solicitor grade within Legal and Democratic
Services you need to be a qualified barrister or solicitor.
To become a barrister or solicitor you need to be educated to
degree level and to have passed the appropriate professional
examinations.
You can also become a solicitor by becoming a full member of the
Institute of Legal Executives and passing transfer
examinations.