Senior Associate - Education Law

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Education Lawyer at Senior Associate level to join a growing and highly regarded Education team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a solicitor with 6+ years' PQE and strong experience within the higher education sector to advise universities, colleges and other education organisations on complex and often high-profile legal and regulatory matters.

The role offers significant exposure to senior leadership teams and a varied caseload covering education regulation, governance, student matters, safeguarding, data protection and litigation**.

Key Responsibilities

• Advising universities, colleges and other education organisations on regulatory and governance obligations.


• Advising international pathway providers on arrangements with universities and Office for Students registration.


• Advising on complex safeguarding issues, investigations and related litigation.


• Handling **data protection, Freedom of Information, data breaches and data-sharing** matters.


• Advising on Freedom of Speech, no-platforming and related disputes or litigation.


• Advising on student-related disputes, including matters involving students as consumers.


• Advising on education-sector mergers and acquisitions, including transactions involving potential insolvency or distressed organisations.


• Advising educational institutions and charities on safeguarding obligations and investigations.


• Supporting senior leadership teams in responding to historic and current safeguarding concerns involving staff, students and volunteers.


• Managing sensitive and high-profile matters involving senior stakeholders.


• Developing strong client relationships and contributing to business development and sector-focused initiatives.


• Contributing to thought leadership and keeping up to date with developments across the higher education sector.

Skills & Experience

• Qualified Solicitor with 6+ years' PQE or equivalent relevant qualification.


• Strong experience advising universities, colleges or other education-sector organisations


• Demonstrable knowledge of the higher education sector including current regulatory and policy developments.


• Strong experience across areas such as governance, investigations, student matters, safeguarding and data protection


• Experience handling sensitive, complex or high-profile matters involving senior stakeholders.


• Experience of litigation and contentious matters would be highly desirable.


• Strong commercial judgement and an ability to assess and manage legal and reputational risk.


• Excellent communication and client management skills.

Please Note: Due to the number of applications we receive we may be unable to respond to every application directly. If you have not heard from us within 3 working days please assume your application has been unsuccessful

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