Associate - Public Law Litigation

Department: Health Care and Public Law - Leeds and Manchester

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Manchester

Description

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious junior lawyer who enjoys litigation, has an interest in public sector work, and is excited by the prospect of combining high-quality legal work with the opportunity to help grow a market-leading practice in Manchester.

About the Team

DAC Beachcroft's Health, Care and Public Law Team provides legal advice to a wide range of organisations across the public, health and social care sectors. The team is highly rated in both Legal 500 and Chambers and is recognised for its technical excellence, collaborative approach and commitment to client service.

As part of the continued growth of our Public Law Litigation practice, we have an opportunity for a Newly Qualified Solicitor (up to circa 3 years PQE) to join the team. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious lawyer who enjoys litigation, has an interest in public sector work, and wants to be part of a growing practice with significant long-term career prospects.

Manchester is one of the UK's fastest-growing legal and commercial centres, with increasing investment in public services, healthcare and regional decision-making. With the continued focus on devolution and the growth agenda associated with the Government's "North" strategy, this is an exciting time to build a career advising public sector organisations on high-profile and impactful work.

The successful candidate will join the team at a formative stage of its growth in the region, working closely with senior lawyers and partners while helping to shape the future of the practice. This provides a unique opportunity to gain high-quality experience, develop specialist expertise and play a meaningful role in building a long-term presence in an important and expanding market.

The Opportunity

Working closely with partners and senior lawyers, you will support clients across a varied public law litigation caseload. The successful candidate will gain exposure to a broad range of matters including:

• Judicial Review proceedings.
• Public law disputes affecting public sector and health organisations.
• Procurement and procurement-related litigation.
• Regulatory and governance disputes.
• Advisory work connected to public law litigation matters.

We are seeking someone who is excited by the prospect of working across a diverse caseload rather than specialising too narrowly in one area from the outset. As the practice continues to grow, there will be opportunities to develop specialist expertise and take on increasing responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist on a varied public law litigation caseload with appropriate supervision.
• Support senior lawyers and partners on Judicial Review, procurement and wider public law disputes.
• Draft legal documents including pleadings, witness statements, instructions to counsel and client advice.
• Undertake legal research and provide practical, commercially focused advice.
• Develop strong relationships with clients and become a trusted day-to-day point of contact.
• Support business development, marketing initiatives and client training activities.
• Contribute to the continued growth and profile of the Public Law Litigation practice, particularly in the Manchester market.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

We are interested in hearing from candidates who are:

• Qualified solicitors (NQ to approximately 3 years PQE).
• Experienced in litigation through training contracts, qualifying work experience or post-qualification practice.
• Interested in public law, public sector, healthcare or regulatory work.
• Enthusiastic, ambitious and keen to contribute to a growing team.

Desirable Experience

Previous exposure to any of the following would be advantageous but is not essential:

• Judicial Review.
• Public law litigation.
• Procurement litigation.
• Professional regulatory matters.
• Healthcare, local government or education sector work.
• Advising public sector organisations.

Job Benefits

This is a unique opportunity to join a growing team at an exciting stage of its development. The successful candidate will be part of a practice that is actively expanding its presence in Manchester, working alongside highly respected lawyers on complex, meaningful and high-profile matters affecting public services and communities.

You'll benefit from Exposure to high-quality public law litigation work.

• Close partner support and mentoring.
• Strong opportunities for development and progression.
• The chance to help shape and grow a developing practice.
• A collaborative and supportive team culture.
• The opportunity to work with one of the UK's leading Health, Care and Public Law practices.
• Company Benefits: Private Healthcare, Bonus Scheme, Health & Wellbeing

As a Disability Confident Scheme employer, we're committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage (including the application, assessment or interview process), please contact recruitment@dacbeachcroft.com in confidence with the vacancy reference in the subject line, and we'll be happy to help.