Legal Director

The deadline to apply for this position has now closed. We are currently reviewing applications and will be in touch with successful candidates regarding the next stage. We received a large number of applications for this position and so, unfortunately, will not be able to reply to individuals who have been unsuccessful.

About Good Law Project  

Good Law Project is a not-for-profit campaign organisation that uses the law to create a better world. We challenge abuses of power, exploitation, inequality and injustice. We had a primary role in overturning the prorogation of Parliament in 2019 and have more recently been shining a light on the Government’s conduct throughout the pandemic. We fought for free laptops for children who could not access online education at home, pushed back when dodgy algorithms caused exams chaos, exposed the unlawful VIP lane for lucrative PPE contracts, and helped to force a Met Police investigation into the Downing Street parties. As we look to the future, we’re planning to help communities litigate for themselves, introduce lawyers to the causes they want to support, and use the law more to tackle poverty, and its effects.

A bold, young organisation with a ground-breaking track record, we speak the truth and act with integrity. We are proud to be primarily funded by members of the public, which keeps us fiercely independent. Our organisation has experienced meteoric growth over the last two years. 

Our close-knit team of staff work across four core areas: fundraising & communications, legal, operations and partnerships. We’re nimble and reactive to external events, which means Good Law Project suits people who thrive in a fast-paced environment and share our passion for upholding democracy, protecting the environment and ensuring no one is left behind. Our culture is one of openness and innovation that encourages all staff to pitch ideas and influence our direction. We are brave, honest and decisive – those are Good Law Project’s values. We recognise the value of our employees, individually and collectively, and are our commitment to investing in their welfare. 

The Legal Director role

The full job description, person specification, Good Law Project values and structure chart are included in the job pack. 

You will report to our Executive Director. 

Salary: £80,000, with generous benefits including enhanced pension contribution, private medical insurance, and 25 days annual holidays plus public holidays.

Hours: 35 per week over 5 days 

Contract type: Permanent 

Location: Hybrid working with an office in central London (subject to any COVID-19 restrictions) and options for flexibility to work from home.

About the role 

We are seeking to recruit an experienced Legal Director who will lead Good Law Project’s work, commissioning legal services, ensuring that Good Law Project’s aims are met and that its interests are secured in the delivery of those services. You will oversee the litigation portfolio, supporting Legal Managers and Officers to manage external legal teams and provide ongoing instructions on cases.

You should be a qualified solicitor or barrister with at least five years’ post-qualification experience of practising or working with the law in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. You will need to have a good knowledge of the external marketplace, with management experience in a senior role, including leading and managing a team or department.

As a member of the senior management team, you will also contribute to the strategic direction of the organisation.  You will be a champion for Good Law Project’s values and passionate about a fairer world.

How to apply: Please send us one 3-page document consisting of:

• your CV (max one page) 
• your covering letter of no more than two pages outlining:
  • why you are interested in the role
  • how you meet the requirements
  • what motivates you to work at Good Law Project
  • how your skills and experience would make you a suitable candidate for this role
  • whether you consider yourself to have a disability or not 
  • where you found out about this job opportunity 
  • details of two referees
  • your availability for interviews, which are likely to take place during week commencing 30 May 2022

We ask all candidates to send their 3-page document to jobs@goodlawproject.org using the subject heading, “Legal Director”.  The deadline for application is 11.59pm on 19 May 2022

Interview details: We intend to hold interviews for short-listed candidates via Zoom during the week commencing 30 May 2022, with the likelihood of second interviews to follow. If you are not available during week commencing 30 May 2022, please let us know in your covering letter. Please check your junk mail for emails from Good Law Project as well as your main inbox.

Encouragement of equal opportunity and reasonable adjustments: We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability (physical or learning), LGBT or relationship status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex or social class. We particularly welcome applications from BAME candidates and/or those with lived experience of disadvantage. 

We encourage people with disabilities to advise us of any reasonable adjustments you may need during the recruitment process to ensure you have the opportunity to present yourself in a comfortable manner. Please mention your disability in your application. If your application demonstrates the essential criteria for the role, we will guarantee an interview and discuss any special arrangements you may need.