Rook Irwin Sweeney – Solicitor 0-2PQE (London)

• Job Title: Solicitor
• Location: London 
• Salary Range: £45,000 to £52,000 per annum
• Hours: Full-time 

Rook Irwin Sweeney are recruiting for a full-time solicitor, predominantly to assist with the firm’s public law (judicial review), community care and health and welfare work in the Court of Protection, as well as to support their other practice areas, including education law.

This is an exciting time to join Rook Irwin Sweeney, as we continue to develop and expand our legal services since launching in March 2020.

About Rook Irwin Sweeney

Rook Irwin Sweeney is a specialist public law and human rights firm with a particular focus on the rights of disabled people and their families. Recognised in Chambers UK 2026 as “exceptional in every way”, we are known for our cutting-edge work holding public authorities to account, as well as our dedication to individual clients. The firm is ranked in Chambers UK 2026 and Legal 500 and recognised as one of The Times’ best law firms in England and Wales in 2026. Our lawyers have acted in many of the leading cases across the firm’s practice areas over the last 15 years, taking cases before the High Court, Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.

The firm operates a hybrid working model, with a staffed office in Bethnal Green, East London. We are a friendly and dedicated team – we are looking for a new solicitor who shares our values and will help the firm continue to grow its important and exciting public law work.

The role

We are looking for a full time solicitor around 0-2 PQE to assist predominantly with the firm’s public law (judicial review), community care and health and welfare work in the Court of Protection. Ideally candidates will also have some experience of education law, but this is not essential.

We would prefer for the role to be based in London with at least twice weekly attendance at our office in Bethnal Green, East London to ensure appropriate supervision and support for the successful candidate, but we are open to receiving applications from applicants who need flexibility in terms of location.

We are primarily looking for a solicitor who is able to assist on other fee earners’ cases but, as their experience develops, would be able to take on their own case load when appropriate.

General responsibilities and tasks

• Assist the firm’s partners and solicitors with delegated tasks on their own cases
• Run own cases where appropriate and as experience develops
• Assist with managing and responding to new enquiries and applications to the firm’s Social Justice Fund
• Assist with the other fee earners’ files when they are absent from the office
• Ensure that diary dates are observed
• Meet relevant quality and professional standards
• Business development appropriate to your role
• Contribute effectively to team financial targets
• Other legal and administrative tasks as required

About You

As a solicitor, you will work with the partners and other solicitors on their case load with a focus on public law (judicial review), community care and health and welfare work in the Court of Protection.

There may be some scope to work on education cases as well.

Candidates will need to demonstrate a passion for public law and the rights of disabled people, as well as excellent client care, organisational and communication skills. You will be able to work in a fast-paced environment within a team, as well as being comfortable using your own initiative.

Some experience of public law (judicial review), community care and health and welfare work in the Court of Protection is essential. Knowledge of education law is preferable, but is not essential.

However we will offer you all of the training and support you need to succeed in your role.

Benefits

We currently work a reduced hours working week, where we work 90% of our full-time working hours for a full-time salary (or the pro rata equivalent). This is not a compressed hours arrangement.

We have a self-managed annual leave policy, where we encourage staff to manage their own annual leave responsibly, so that providing you are able to meet the requirements and responsibilities of your job, there is no set limit on the number of days off you may take.

We also have monthly reflective practice sessions facilitated by a clinical psychologist, a flexible working policy, optional private healthcare, and employees will also have access to a 24 hour employee assistance programme.

We do not have individual costs or time targets and instead the team works towards a collective team target for the financial year.

Person specification 

Skills, knowledge, experience and attributes required

• 0 – 2 years post qualification experience as a solicitor in the relevant areas of law
• Solicitors with additional experience will be considered for this role, although it should be noted that this is primarily a junior role, where the solicitor is expected to assist the other fee earners and partners
• Experience of attending clients
• Experience of briefing Counsel
• Experience of attending conferences with Counsel
• Experience of liaising with third parties such as expert witnesses
• Experience of drafting documents and court pleadings
• Knowledge and experience of public law and judicial review cases

Practical skills

• Interviewing skills
• Telephone skills
• Drafting skills
• Legal knowledge and experience
• Time management skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English
• Ability to prioritise own workload
• Ability to work as part of a team

How to apply

Please provide your current CV and a covering letter, explaining why you consider that you are a suitable candidate for the role, to Samantha Patrick, Finance and Operations Manager, at sam.patrick@rislaw.co.uk, by no later than 5pm on 2 March 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an online interview.