Trainee Solicitor - 25409

This is an exciting opportunity to develop the legal skills, capabilities and expertise required in order to qualify as a Solicitor. As a trainee solicitor you will work in an interesting and stimulating environment and support the aims of the Environment Agency by:

• assisting in providing an effective and efficient legal service contributing to the delivery of environmental outcomes in line with operational needs and the organisation’s objectives;

• providing accurate and timely legal advisory, litigation and prosecution support within each designated specialist area of legal work throughout the training contract, under supervision and guidance;

• conducting a challenging caseload under supervision and guidance of the training supervisor and other relevant qualified legal staff;

• building and sustaining effective relationships with legal colleagues, internal clients and external stakeholders to understand issues and provide effective responses.

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity in all we do, and to valuing the diversity of our workforce, customers and communities. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (B.A.M.E.), disabled, female and LGBT+ candidates who are under-represented across our workforce.

The legal team is based in seven hubs and covers areas of law including enforcement and prosecution, public / environmental law (area and national), property, employment and commercial. You will work closely with the training supervisor as well as the teams in which you carry out your training seats over the course of your training contract.

You must be educated to degree level and have either an undergraduate law degree or a degree in any other subject plus the relevant conversion qualification - the Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE/GDL).

You will also need to have completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC).

You must be a motivated individual who is committed, flexible and keen to learn.

Previous legal experience and knowledge of our organisation are desirable.

The application includes competence questions and a section to copy and paste a personal statement telling us why you are applying and what relevant skills, qualities and experience you have to make you a suitable candidate for this position. This should be no more than 2 sides of A4 (Arial 11pt) in length and included in the 'cover letter' section - please do not attach it as a separate document.

The training contract will last up to 2 years, starting in March or April 2023. You will be based in one of our legal hubs at Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Leeds, Peterborough, Reading or Warrington and although we are adopting a more hybrid approach to working, you will still need to be flexible in terms of location and travel to gain the best training and experience.

For further information or an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Caroline Blackwood (caroline.blackwood@environment-agency.gov.uk), Sarah Dunne (sarah.dunne@environment-agency.gov.uk) or Henry Sackville Hamilton (henry.sackvillehamilton@environment-agency.gov.uk).

Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.

Has a knowledge of statutory environmental and technical requirements to protect both the Environment Agency and the environment.