Public Law Solicitor, Manchester

Bison Solicitors is a modern, forward-thinking law firm specialising in social welfare law. We are proud to be fully owned by our employees through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT)—making us one of the only legal aid practices in the UK with this structure.

Our model ensures that every team member has a genuine stake in the success of the firm. After 12 months’ service, employees automatically become beneficiaries of the EOT, sharing in the long-term growth and success of the business.

We are committed to delivering access to justice for vulnerable individuals and maintaining a supportive, collaborative working environment.

We are seeking an experienced Public Law Solicitor to join our growing team.

This is a unique opportunity to undertake cross-disciplinary work at the intersection of:

• Public Law
• Mental Health Law
• Mental Capacity / Court of Protection
• Community Care Law

You will work on a varied and impactful caseload, including:

• Judicial review matters and public law challenges
• Cases involving duties owed by local authorities and public bodies
• Matters intersecting with mental health detention and capacity issues
• Age assessment challenges and related litigation
• Community care and support provision disputes

This role offers the opportunity to build a genuinely diverse and meaningful practice, handling complex and high-impact cases.

• Managing a caseload of public law and legally aided matters with full conduct of litigation from instruction through to conclusion
• Conducting judicial review and pre‑action protocol work
• Advising vulnerable clients and those lacking capacity
• Liaising effectively with clients and/or litigation friends, ensuring clear and sensitive communication throughout
• Preparing and managing legal aid applications and compliance with LAA requirements
• Drafting detailed grounds, witness statements, and legal submissionsLiaising with counsel, the courts, experts, and opposing parties
• Working across overlapping legal frameworks (public law, mental health, mental capacity)
• Supervision and training paralegals

We are looking for a solicitor who:

• Is qualified in England & Wales
• Has strong experience in public law and legal aid work
• Has experience or exposure to judicial review
• Is confident managing a complex and sensitive caseload
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to access to justice and client care

• Experience in Mental Health, Court of Protection or Community Care Law
• Experience with age assessment challenges
• Advocacy experience or willingness to develop

• Fully flexible working – remote, hybrid or office-based
• A supportive, collaborative and purpose-driven team environment
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• High‑quality, meaningful work with real social impact
• Employee Ownership Trust participation after 12 months
• A genuine voice in how the firm develops and grows

Bison Solicitors is not a traditional law firm. As an employee‑owned business, we operate with a long‑term, people‑first approach:

• Every team member contributes to and benefits from the firm’s success
• We prioritise collaboration over hierarchy
• We are building a sustainable, values‑driven legal practice

This is an opportunity to undertake challenging, rewarding work in a firm that values both professional excellence and fairness.

• Carers’, Parental, Bereavement leaves
• Additional annual leave day on birthday
• Company pension
• Free parking
• On‑site parking