Principal Lawyer - Property

Are you passionate about making a difference in people's lives through legal expertise and do you thrive in a committed, friendly, and supportive team?

We are looking for a senior legal professional who will provide expert legal advice, represent clients, and can teach, cascade, and mentor staff in the Legal Services Unit (LSU). You will be responsible for ensuring compliance with legal standards and may also be involved in developing legal strategies.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a Local Authority committed to high legal standards and to making a difference for the benefit of our community. If you are passionate about Property and have a proven track record of success, we encourage you to apply now.

Main Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing programmes of development informed by national best practices, current law, and legal developments.
• Supporting the growth of subject matter expertise within LSU.
• Undertaking highly complex, high-risk legal cases and advocacy.
• Coaching and mentoring within LSU through training and sharing of expert knowledge.
• Developing and delivering a service strategy within your subject area.

The Ideal Candidate

• Subject matter expert with the ability to interpret complex legislation and provide high-quality legal advice to stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills to train, mentor, and support legal colleagues.
• Commercial awareness and contribution to marketing and growth of legal services.
• Strong prioritisation and organisational skills to manage complex casework and pressures.

If you are unsure whether your skills and experience suit this role or have any questions, please contact Robin Longhurst, Deputy Legal Services Manager, at or Imran Razaq, Deputy Legal Services Manager, at . We're happy to discuss flexible working.

Interview date: 21 August 2025

Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you'll bring to the role.

About Staffordshire County Council

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values

The core of who we are as an organisation. Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice, sitting at the heart of our People Strategy. We have a real sense of community spirit, fostering a feeling of belonging and pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and forward-looking, aiming for a better future.

Our Benefits

We recognize that our employees are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment that enables employees to achieve their full potential and maintain a healthy work-life balance. In addition to your salary, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire .

Our Recruitment Process

As an authority committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities. As part of our commitment, we offer a guaranteed interview for applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role.