Specialist Lawyer (Litigation)

We are seeking a highly skilled litigation lawyer to support the Head of Legal Services and Director of Legal and Governance in delivering a modern, proactive and high-performing legal service. You will lead on complex, high-profile and strategically important contentious matters, providing expert legal advice to officers, members and senior leadership across the Council. The Role You will:

• Lead on complex, high-risk and high-value litigation matters, including judicial review, civil and criminal proceedings, enforcement action, regulatory prosecutions, tribunal proceedings and dispute resolution.
• Advise on contentious issues arising from the Council's housing, planning, licensing, environmental health, community safety and regulatory functions.
• Advise Members, Chief Officers and client departments on legal risk, statutory duties, governance and decision making.
• Attend Council, Cabinet, Committees and other meetings as required, including occasional evening meetings., Harlow Council is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We offer flexibility with purpose through our Dynamic Working approach. While office-based work is the norm, most full-time employees attend the workplace at least four days per week (pro rata).
We also support a range of flexible arrangements to help balance work and personal life and provide health and wellbeing initiatives and an employee assistance programme. As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled candidates who meet the Essential Criteria on the Employee Profile. Closing date: 20 September 2026 For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.

We're seeking a qualified solicitor or lawyer with:
• In-depth knowledge and experience, dealing with a broad range of contentious matters.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to develop a high-performing team.
• Political awareness, resilience and the ability to build trusted relationships.
• A broad understanding of local government law and the ability to provide pragmatic, solution-focused advice to a public sector organisation.
• Experience in advising committees and working with elected members.
Ideally, you will have prior line management experience - but we welcome strong senior lawyers who are seeking their first managerial role.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Harlow Council's Legal and Governance Service at a pivotal time. Harlow is one of the UK's fastest-growing towns, with major regeneration projects, significant investment, and a bold vision for the future. As local government evolves, Harlow Council is playing a leading role in shaping the future of public services., Harlow is on a bold journey to become the most forward-thinking and impactful council in the country. Harlow is one of the fastest-growing areas in the UK, where major investment is transforming the town - with a new hospital, vibrant neighbourhoods, and a revitalised town centre on the horizon. Our ambitious plan focuses on six transformational missions to improve housing, safety, jobs, and health for every resident, and we are delivering on those missions at pace. This is your chance to be part of a council that's leading change, restoring pride, and shaping a better future for generations to come.