Lecturer / Supervising Solicitor

At the University of East London (UEL), our mission is to prepare students for the careers of the future while shaping that future inclusively and sustainably. As a careers-first university, we believe education and opportunity should be open to all, and that diversity of people and thought is essential to solving society’s biggest challenges.

Founded in 1898 as the West Ham Technical Institute, UEL has always championed industry-focused education and social mobility, earning the name “The People’s University” for its commitment to widening access to technical and professional learning. While our scale and ambition have grown, our purpose has remained constant: empowering communities, advancing social justice, and equipping students with future-proof skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Today, UEL continues this legacy through pioneering research, employer-engaged education, and meaningful community impact. We are tackling health and economic inequalities, promoting sustainability, and helping to build a more inclusive and resilient future.

Guided by our ambitious Vision 2028  strategy, UEL is reshaping education for the benefit of all, empowering students from every background with the skills and opportunities to succeed. Our commitment to excellence is recognised nationally; we are proud to be named University of the Year for Teaching Quality in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. At UEL, we don’t just teach, we inspire, innovate and empower, shaping the future together.

About the UEL Legal Advice Centre

The UEL Legal Advice Centre (LAC) provides vital access to justice for local communities while giving students hands-on experience of legal practice. Through appointments, advice sessions and community outreach—including work at the Romford Autism Hub—the LAC supports individuals who may otherwise struggle to obtain legal guidance.

As both an educational and civic asset, the Centre plays a central role in preparing future legal professionals while advancing UEL’s ethos of community engagement and social impact.

About the Role

We are seeking a committed and community-focused Lecturer / Supervising Solicitor to lead and supervise the day-to-day operation of UEL’s Legal Advice Centre. This is an excellent opportunity for a practitioner passionate about widening access to justice and developing the next generation of solicitors.

You will supervise students in client-facing activity, oversee practice-based learning aligned with the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), manage the operational running of the Centre, and build strong working relationships with community partners, local schools and legal employers. The role also includes teaching on skills-based and clinical modules and contributing to broader Law Department activities.

About You

You are an experienced legal practitioner with a strong commitment to social justice, experiential legal education and working with diverse communities. You bring:

• A degree in Law and a current practising certificate (essential)
• Significant professional experience, with the capability to provide SQE-aligned supervision
• Excellent communication, organisational and client-facing skills
• A commitment to high-quality teaching, student development and community engagement
• The ability to lead, mentor, and inspire students and junior colleagues
• Experience in law clinics, legal practice education or community legal services (desirable)

You’ll thrive in this role if you are passionate about empowering students through real-world legal practice, confident in supervising sensitive client interactions, and highly organised in managing multiple priorities. A proactive, collaborative approach and a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion will be key to your success.

What You’ll Do

• Supervise students in client appointments and all follow-up casework
• Lead the daily operations of the Legal Advice Centre
• Deliver teaching on skills-based and SQE-aligned modules
• Enhance student employability and contribute to curriculum development
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, schools, employers and external organisations
• Support recruitment activities and take part in open days and outreach
• Line-manage the Legal Advice Centre Assistant
• Represent the Centre at internal and external events and showcase practice-based education across UEL

Benefits Package

At UEL, we believe that a great role is about more than just a salary. It’s about the complete package, including our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture.

We offer a genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits.

You can explore our full benefits package here: https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-all-academic-research -positions

 Building an Inclusive Future

As an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, we’re committed to closing the "diversity pay gap". We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and honest that there’s more to do. We’re determined to keep moving forward so everyone at UEL can thrive.

We're a disability confident employer and value all applications. Please let us know if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

If you're ready to join a University that values your outstanding skills and perspectives and is dedicated to making a difference, we invite you to explore a career with us. We are excited to welcome versatile individuals who are committed to advancing their careers while making a positive impact on the world.

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the deadline if we receive many applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

To contact the recruitment team please phone +44 20 8223 3000 x 4600 or e-mail jobs@uel.ac.uk

CVs without a completed application form will not be accepted.

At UEL we are committed to working together to build a community which values diversity in both our staff and student populations, is representative and inclusive, enabling all to progress and thrive.