Associate - LG Governance

Overview

Our nationally recognised Local Government and Planning Team is looking for an experienced Governance Lawyer (ideally 3+ years PQE) to support our thriving Chambers and Legal 500-ranked practice. We work with a wide range of local authorities, combined authorities and public bodies across the country, advising on some of the most interesting and impactful governance matters in the sector.

Clients include:

• A broad mix of local authorities (as referenced on our website and approved client list)
• Local government organisations undertaking significant governance, constitutional and structural change
• Public bodies requiring specialist governance and monitoring officer support

Recent work includes:

• Advising a Metropolitan Borough Council on a full constitution review, including executive arrangements and delegations
• Supporting a Local Government client on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
• Conducting independent investigations relating to member/officer conduct and standards matters
• Advising multiple authorities on access to information, committee governance and decision-making structures

• Led by Partner Claire Ward, former Monitoring Officer of Herefordshire Council and nationally recognised governance specialist
• Supported by Sue Bearman (Legal Director and former Monitoring Officer) and Alex Lawrence (Legal Director and Legal 500/Chambers-ranked specialist)
• Friendly, collaborative and values-driven, with a strong focus on public sector impact, advising monitoring officers and in-house legal teams on a full range of governance and constitutional matters
• Drafting, reviewing and advising on constitutions, delegations, and governance frameworks
• Advising on standards, member/officer relationships and conduct issues
• Supporting and/or conducting investigations
• Advising on access to information (FOIA/EIR)
• Supporting clients through governance change, including LGR
• Developing business opportunities through training, thought leadership and client engagement

We are looking for a motivated Governance Lawyer who is committed to working with local authority clients and enjoys tackling complex governance questions. Solid experience in local government governance gained in-house or in private practice.

• Advising on constitutions, decision-making structures, delegations and governance frameworks
• Experience handling or supporting investigations, standards issues or conduct matters
• Experience working with public sector clients, ideally local authorities

• Strong understanding of local authority powers, functions and governance frameworks
• Ability to draft clear, robust governance documentation
• Confident advising at pace and managing multiple deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Able to build strong client relationships and work collaboratively with monitoring officers
• Comfortable managing competing priorities and working independently when required
• A proactive, solution-focused mindset, Qualified Solicitor or Barrister (England & Wales)
• Ideally 3+ years PQE, though all levels with strong governance experience will be considered

• Hybrid working
• 25 days holiday, 2 gift days at Christmas
• The opportunity to give back and have 3 days available for social purpose volunteering
• For Birmingham Colleagues, we have a newly refurbished office with an onsite café and free access to an on-site gym
• All IT equipment and support for effective home working
• An excellent technical training programme and opportunities to grow sector expertise

Anthony Collins Solicitors is a specialist law firm with a clear purpose - to "improve lives, communities and society". For over 50 years we ve been successfully combining market-leading legal expertise with a commitment to excellence and long-term relationships underpinned by a strong set of values. What makes Anthony Collins Solicitors distinctive, beyond simply being a sector-specialist law firm, is our people and the values we share.

We re extremely proud of the calibre of people that we attract; people who are inspired by our values, motivated by our vision and work with our clients to positively influence the society and communities we are building together. Anthony Collins Solicitors is a committed Equal Opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.