Careers

The Company Sec in local government

As commercialisation grows, Azhar Ghose outlines the increasing importance of the Company Secretary role within local authorities and offers some tips on how it can be performed. Read more

Jun 24, 2020

Five teams in running for 'Legal Team of the Year' at LLG Virtual Awards 2020

Five council teams have been shortlisted for the ‘Legal Team of the Year’ at the LLG Virtual Awards 2020, which will be held next week.

Jun 24, 2020

London borough names Binjal as Director of Law, Governance and HR

Lewisham Council has appointed Suki Binjal as Director of Law, Governance and HR.

Jun 19, 2020

Browne Jacobson appoints new Head of Higher Education

Law firm Browne Jacobson has appointed partner Bettina Rigg to its national education practice where she will be the firm’s Head of Higher Education.

Jun 09, 2020

Childcare lawyer to swap council for independent bar

A childcare lawyer at Reading Borough Council is to join specialist family law set Four Brick Court in August.

Jun 09, 2020

North East law firm hires Walton to lead procurement team

North East law firm Muckle has appointed partner Alison Walton to lead its dedicated procurement team.

Jun 08, 2020

LLG President issues statement of solidarity with Black Lives Matter

The President of Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) has issued a statement of solidarity with Black Lives Matter and made a commitment to more than words.

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COVID-19 Weekly Brief: Financial management in uncertain times

The current difficulties around the economy and employment resulting from the coronavirus outbreak highlight the importance of getting a grip on your finances, managing your money well and saving for that 'rainy day', says Richard Olive in this instalment of LLG's COVID-19 Weekly Brief.

Local authority legal practice during COVID-19

What is it like working in local authority legal practice during the coronavirus pandemic? Matthew Dineen explains.

In the beginning…

Rob Hann, local government lawyer and author, finds time during the Covid 19 lockdown to share some of his early experiences as a trainee lawyer at Sheffield City Council at a time of major conflict between central/local government.

Places of learning

What is it like to work as an in-house solicitor in Higher Education? Sam McGinty reflects on the transition between local government and higher education and why he loves his job.

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The Legal Department of the Future

Bridging the gap

The Legal Department of the Future survey reveals that local government legal teams are employing a range of strategies as they face up to a challenging combination of increased workloads and severe pressure on resources. Philip Hoult reports.

Can’t get no satisfaction?

What effect have the cuts had on local government lawyers’ ambitions and morale? Derek Bedlow looks at the results of our exclusive survey of more than 300 local government lawyers and assesses the implications for local authority legal teams.

The shape of things to come

Derek Bedlow looks at the implications of the Legal Department of the Future survey for how legal departments organise, recruit and retain their staff.

Lead or follow?

A short guide to shared legal services

Up for the challenge?

Improving internal efficiency

The way ahead

Book Review: The Approved Mental Health Professional Practice Handbook

This handbook provides in-depth guidance on all key aspects of being an Approved Mental Health Professional and considers the ethical challenges involved in the role. Alex Ruck Keene gives his thoughts on the text.

Manchester on Alcohol & Entertainment Law

Professor Roy Light reviews the 4th edition of Manchester on Alcohol and Entertainment Law. Woods Whur Publishing, Leeds. £115 soft cover.

Book Review: Button on Taxis

After an eight-year gap there is a new edition of Button on Taxis. Professor Roy Light reviews the publication and the changes made.

Book Review: Cornerstone on the Planning Court

The law moves on with increasing speed nowadays, one significant recent development being the creation of the Planning Court in April 2014. That is already two years ago now, so Cornerstone obviously felt the time was right to start putting together…

Book Review: Paterson’s Licensing Acts 2016

James Paterson, who introduced the work and authored the first ten editions, could never have foreseen that his book would be going strong 114 editions later; or that it would have an editor-in-chief, three general editors and a consulting editor;…

May 29, 2020

Local government litigation solicitor handed judicial post

A senior solicitor in the litigation department at City of Wolverhampton Council has been appointed as a judge.

May 18, 2020

DAC Beachcroft promotes 14 to partner

Law firm DAC Beachcroft has announced the promotion of 14 new partners and six new legal directors across seven areas of its business.

Apr 21, 2020

Local government solicitor fined by Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal after second drink-driving conviction

A local government solicitor has been fined £2,000 by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) after being convicted of a second drink-driving offence.

Apr 17, 2020

New combined qualifying test for Deputy District Judge and Fee-Paid Judge of the First-tier and Employment Tribunals

The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) is to run a single combined qualifying test (CQT) in June 2020 as the first stage of three large selection exercises for fee-paid judges.

Feb 28, 2020

Local government lawyer salaries rise 3% but senior pay rises sharply

Local government lawyers’ salaries rose by 3% last year, in-line with the national average, the number of vacancies fell slightly but senior lawyer pay showed strong growth in 2019, new research from Local Government Lawyer has found.

Feb 28, 2020

LLG launches fact-finding survey in preparation for national graduate scheme launch

Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) has launched a survey asking how local authorities currently recruit graduates to trainee positions in preparation for a pilot of the National Graduate Recruitment Scheme announced in 2019.

Making the right choice

Jennifer Mellani writes about her journey to being a local government lawyer specialising in health and social care.

Firm foundations

Are you intrigued about working in local government but hesitant to take the plunge? Real estate lawyer Matthew Dineen explains how he overcame his initial doubts and never looked back.

Home truths

What is it like to work as an in-house solicitor for a registered provider for social housing or housing association? Radian’s Scott Greenwood sets out the attraction and advantages, how the sector differs from private practice and how the transition can be made by those who may be considering a move.

A chance to make a difference

Hesitant about taking on management responsibilities? V. Charles Ward explains how it gave a real boost to his career, and gives some pointers for those taking their first steps.

A mentally healthy workplace

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Yasmin Allan considers the legal and practical issues linked to the employee wellbeing agenda.

Legal apprenticeships: getting started

One of the great privileges of working with local authorities to deliver apprenticeships is observing the different approaches legal departments take to deploying and developing apprentice staff, writes Noel Inge.

The Company Sec in local government

As commercialisation grows, Azhar Ghose outlines the increasing importance of the Company Secretary role within local authorities and offers some tips on how it can be performed.

Personal philosophies

Chris Guy, a former local authority head of legal, sets out how he tried to overcome his weaknesses.

Aiming for the top

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How should you go about securing the position of head of legal at a local authority? Chris Guy shares some thoughts.

Creative or secure?

Good relationships between lawyers and clients allow for more risk and more creativity which ultimately adds more value all round, writes Geoff Wild.

A Spring in your career step....

Lawyers in Local Government is looking for talented lawyers to get involved in its special activity areas. Nicholas Dobson explains how this can boost your career.

Out with the DIP, in with the IP

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The Communities Secretary has unveiled a new regime for the disciplining and dismissal of senior staff, to replace what he called the "unnecessary and costly bureaucratic process" that currently applies. Olwen Dutton analyses the key issues for councils.