The Environment Agency operates at the place where environmental change has its greatest impact on people’s lives. We work closely with a wide range of partners to make sure there is enough water for people and wildlife, reduce the risk of flooding, protect and improve air, land and water quality and apply environmental standards within which industry can operate.

Role: Senior Lawyer – Commercial Law Team

The breadth and diversity of the Environment Agency’s remit provides ever-evolving challenges for our legal teams. As a Senior Lawyer in the Commercial Law Team, you will:

• Give accurate, risk-based legal advice at the forefront of a broad spectrum of commercial matters, from public procurement to dispute resolution, and from intellectual property to Net Zero and Biodiversity Net Gain;
• Manage your own caseload, giving clear risk-based advice and finding solutions to complex and sensitive matters;
• Advise all levels of the organisation across the spectrum of commercial law, including public procurement, civil litigation and dispute resolution, intellectual property, externally funded projects, and collaborations with other public bodies, charities, and research bodies;
• Work alongside other legal teams and specialisms within the Environment Agency and with Government Legal Services.

Team and location

We are six lawyers based across Bristol, Birmingham, and Peterborough, each with our own legal specialisms but with a shared expertise in general commercial contract work. We come from a mixture of private practice (City and national) and local authority backgrounds. We attend client and team meetings in person where appropriate and otherwise work hybridly. Two of us work part-time.

Experience/skills Required

• An excellent track record of handling technical issues and negotiating and advising on commercial contracts in a public sector context
• First-class communication, influencing and analytical skills with an up-to-date knowledge of commercial law; experience in civil litigation and general public law is useful (construction law or dispute resolution is a plus)
• A quick learning style with the ability to rapidly grasp new legal issues and effectively apply them in a commercial or other legal context
• Proficiency in producing detailed legal briefings for senior levels, including directors, boards, and government officials, as well as composing responses to challenging external inquiries
• The ability to provide guidance to managers, officers, and fellow lawyers on the strategic direction and management of casework
• Strong influencing and persuasive abilities, capable of engaging and convincing individuals at all levels, including organisational leaders

Role requirements

You must be an English law-qualified solicitor, barrister or legal executive (with a current practising certificate) or have the right to practice English law.

Other information includes: travel may be required; interviews are planned for October 2025.

Benefits and other information

You will have access to our benefits package including: an additional Market Forces Factor payment of £5,250, a generous career average pension scheme and 27 days holiday +8 bank holidays for full-time employees (pro-rata for part-time). We are fully committed to inclusivity and flexible working patterns, including job share.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment.

For recruitment, the Environment Agency uses Central Government frameworks and contracts. Details for becoming a supplier can be found on GOV.UK.

Contact

For further information please download the candidate pack or contact Andy Pheasant (andy.pheasant@environment-agency.gov.uk).