Principal Lawyer - Property

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Principal Lawyer to lead on high profile property and planning matters within a forward thinking public sector legal team. This role is with an East London Borough and is being offered on a permanent basis.

We are seeking a specialist legal professional with deep expertise in areas such as:

• Easements, wayleaves, leasehold extensions & enfranchisement
• Right to Buy transactions
• Planning and highways agreements (including S106 and S278)
• Compulsory purchase, appropriations & land acquisition/disposal
• Local Government law and governance

This senior role is ideal for someone who thrives on complex, high impact casework, providing authoritative advice to senior officers and councillors, and shaping strategic policy across a wide range of development and regeneration projects. Previous management experience is essential.

The Role

As Principal Lawyer, you will:

• Lead and manage a specialist team of lawyers and legal officers
• Act as the organisation's primary expert in property and/or planning law
• Handle the most complex and high risk matters across the caseload
• Provide advocacy at hearings, inquiries, tribunals, and courts
• Draft, negotiate and finalise complex legal agreements
• Advise on governance, probity, policy development and legislative changes
• Work closely with internal departments, external partners, barristers, and consultants
• Support major projects, helping to protect financial and reputational interests
• Contribute to service planning, income generation and continuous improvement

About You

You will be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with:

• Significant experience in property law within a complex environment
• Strong advocacy skills and confidence handling contentious matters
• Proven ability to supervise, mentor and develop legal colleagues
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative working style
• A strategic approach, with the ability to assess risk and influence decision making
• Up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, case law and local government practice

You will join a supportive, professional legal service where your expertise will be valued and your leadership will help drive excellence across the team. This is a great time to join a local authority that has recently gone through a period of transformation and modernisation.

This is a hybrid working role with 2 days per week in the office.