Professional Discipline and Regulation Lawyer

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: property, corporate services, litigation and private client advisory.

We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do.  RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.

With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.

We have a cross-discipline team of Professional Discipline and Regulation lawyers who advise professional regulatory bodies, professional conduct/fitness to practice panels and professionals who are facing disciplinary action by their professional regulatory body.

The team currently comprises over 15 lawyers working across four offices, and we are looking for a dedicated professional discipline lawyer to join the team and take a leading role in developing and growing our Professional Discipline and Regulation team.

One of our largest clients is the Teaching Regulation Agency, for whom we are one of three firms who provide independent legal advice to their professional conduct panels.

Birketts is looking to recruit a solicitor or barrister to join our growing Professional Discipline and Regulation team. The individual will be part of a team who sit on professional conduct /fitness to practice hearings to advise panels, advise professional regulatory bodies and also advise individual professionals who are subject to disciplinary proceedings by their professional regulatory body.  This is a great opportunity to join our Professional Discipline and Regulation team, to sit on professional conduct panel hearings, and to assist with the day-to-day management, growth and development of the wider team.  

Experience in professional discipline and regulation matters is desirable. Experience in criminal law and general regulatory matters is also advantageous but not critical.

The successful candidate will have a good understanding of the law relating to professional disciplinary and regulation, but training will be provided.  The candidate must be able to work under pressure when attending and advising during professional conduct hearings and must be able to write clearly and succinctly.

This role would be ideal for a barrister who is looking for the stability and employment benefits that accompany working for a law firm whilst providing a role which offers a quasi-judicial setting in respect of advising professional conduct panels whilst they preside over professional conduct hearings.  Similarly, the role would suit a solicitor who is interested in pursuing a Professional Regulation and Discipline practice and taking a leading role in growing and developing our existing team and client base.

We are looking to recruit an individual who has the drive and commitment to assist Birketts’ in the continued growth and development of our Professional Discipline and Regulation practice and to become an essential core member of our team. You will be involved in a range of knowledge management and business development activities, including supporting on tenders/pitches, drafting sector-relevant articles for our own and external publications.

The role offers future career progression opportunities for the right candidate who demonstrates a strong business case during their time as a Senior Associate / Legal Director.

• 3 + years PQE gained within a strong regional, national or city firm or chambers.
• Interest in and aptitude for business development and growth opportunities.
• A strong drive to produce work/documentation which is consistently of a high standard.
• To have a flexible approach to work to ensure client deadlines are always met and clients are communicated with on a consistent and regular basis.
• To have a flexible approach to work location.  The individual will be able to work from home for part of the week but will be required to attend in person hearings in London and Coventry and stay overnight between hearing days, as necessary.

We are committed to recruiting individuals on merits of suitability for each role, on the basis of qualifications and experience. All applications are treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, disability, religious beliefs and any other protected characteristic, ensuring that there are equal opportunities at all stages of the recruitment process.

Benefits

One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we are appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. A competitive salary and benefits package is given but you can also expect a great team and supportive colleagues, a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, a programme of wellbeing and mental health support and structured career development and study support.

https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/

• 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays rising with service. (SA + 30 days)
• Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare - BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share / Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance   - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Season Ticket Loan
• Gym Flex membership
• Electric car scheme
• Dress for your Day Policy
• Agile Working Policy
• 35 hour working week

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.