Shape Futures. Lead Complex Cases. Build Your Career.
Are you a Children’s Panel Solicitor looking for a role where your expertise is valued, your progression is supported, and the work you do genuinely changes lives?
We’re recruiting on behalf of a highly respected and long-established North East law firm seeking an experienced Children’s Panel Solicitor (6+ years PQE) to join its growing Children & Family Law team in Sunderland.
This is an outstanding opportunity for a dedicated solicitor with extensive public children law experience to handle complex and rewarding cases while developing your career within a supportive, ambitious and people-focused firm.
If you’re passionate about representing vulnerable children, parents and families, and you’re looking for a firm that combines professional excellence with genuine care for its people, we’d love to hear from you.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This is more than just another legal role.
You’ll be joining a well-established, Lexcel-accredited practice with a strong reputation for exceptional client care, legal excellence and employee development. The firm offers a collaborative culture where your contribution is recognised and where there is a clear pathway towards more senior positions and leadership opportunities.
What’s on Offer?
- Competitive salary dependent on experience
- Excellent career progression opportunities
- Support for continued professional development
- 27 days annual leave plus Christmas Eve
- Company pension scheme
- Group life insurance (subject to eligibility)
- 24/7 employee assistance programme
- Regular social and team-building events
- Discounted legal services
- Supportive, team-focused working environment
- Structured development and progression framework
The Role
As a Children’s Panel Solicitor, you will manage a varied and challenging caseload of public children law matters while providing outstanding legal advice and representation to children, parents and family members.
You will be trusted to handle complex and often sensitive cases, offering expert guidance and advocacy while ensuring clients receive the highest standards of care throughout their legal journey.
Key Responsibilities
- Managing your own caseload of public children law matters from instruction through to conclusion
- Representing children, parents and family members in care proceedings and related matters
- Handling emergency applications, adoption matters, placement proceedings, special guardianship orders and discharge applications
- Preparing cases for hearings, conferences and meetings with counsel and professionals
- Ensuring compliance with SRA regulations, safeguarding obligations and Legal Aid Agency requirements
- Building strong relationships with guardians, experts, local authorities and court professionals
- Supporting and mentoring junior legal colleagues where appropriate
- Contributing to business development, networking and profile-raising activities
About You
To be successful in this role, you’ll ideally have:
Essential Requirements
- Qualified Solicitor with a minimum of 6 years’ PQE
- Current membership of the Law Society Children Law Accreditation Scheme (Children Panel)
- Significant experience handling care proceedings and public children law matters
- Strong understanding of Legal Aid, safeguarding and court procedures
- Exceptional client care and communication skills
- Ability to manage a high-volume caseload and competing deadlines
- Strong commercial awareness and relationship-building skills
- Full commitment to delivering outstanding legal services
Personal Attributes
- Compassionate and empathetic approach
- Excellent judgement and decision-making skills
- Calm under pressure
- Strong organisational skills
- Collaborative and supportive team player
- Ambitious with a desire to progress your career
Genuine Career Progression
This role offers a clear route into more senior positions, including progression towards:
- Associate Solicitor
- Supervisory responsibilities
- Team leadership opportunities
- Departmental growth and strategic involvement
The firm is committed to recognising and rewarding talent, supporting ambitious legal professionals who are keen to develop both technically and as future leaders.
Location
Sunderland
The role is primarily office-based, with occasional travel between office locations as business needs require.
Apply Today
Opportunities for experienced Children’s Panel Solicitors in the North East don’t come around often.
If you’re looking for a role that combines challenging and rewarding casework with genuine progression opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today or contact our team for further information.
