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Public Law Paralegal (Judicial Review)
Take the next step in your legal career with Watkins Solicitors' nationally recognised Education Law team. This full-time role is based at our North Street, Southville office and is available to start as soon as possible.
Join our dynamic Education Department in Southville, Bristol. This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated individual seeking a challenging yet rewarding role, who is looking to take the next step on their legal career path.
Full-time position: 35 hours per week. Monday to Thursday 9 am to 5 pm, and Friday 8.30 am to 4 pm. The role will be based at our North Street, Southville office.
“The level of compassion and commitment within the Education team is genuinely exceptional. At Watkins, every child matters, and every client’s voice is at the heart of everything we do.”Emma Thompson, Education Solicitor at Watkins Solicitors
#1 in the UK for Education Law
At Watkins Solicitors, you can enjoy a strong legal career, with exceptional client work. And you’ll be supported, every step of the way.
Watkins Solicitors is a multi-award-winning firm, nationally recognised for its expertise in family, education, human rights, property, and wills and probate law.
In 2025 we were named Regional Law Firm of the Year at the Bristol Law Society Awards, alongside wins for Team of the Year for our Education team, and Rising Star of the Year. We were also recipients of the 2025 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award for outstanding work in family legal aid, including children’s rights. In the previous year, we were shortlisted for two national honours at the LexisNexis UK Family Law Awards for Family Law Firm of the Year - South and the Community Interaction Award.
These accolades reflect our legal excellence, compassionate service, and commitment to community-focused practice.
The Watkins Solicitors team are frequently invited to speak by organisations such as Bristol Autism Support, Next Link, and national legal education panels. We also regularly host SEND advice days across the South West, offering accessible guidance to families in need.
We are proud to host our annual Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol , which brings together professionals, practitioners and advocates to improve outcomes for survivors. Our work extends into the community year-round: hosting information events with Autism Independence, raising funds through the Santa Run and charity quiz nights, and offering free legal drop-ins in partnership with local organisations.
Our team are committed to collaborative growth and shared success. We’re focused on delivering sustained positive change. Because we want to make a lasting difference to the world around us and achieve our vision of being the firm that clients want to work with and people want to work for.
Our Education team supports clients across England, working from offices in North Bristol, South Bristol, Bath, Hereford, and by appointment in Evesham. Flexible and remote options are considered on an individual basis. We provide expert legal advice remotely via Microsoft Teams, telephone, and email.
We manage a broad range of matters including private children issues, care proceedings and domestic abuse representation. As a firm, we are recognised for delivering high levels of client satisfaction and for our strong, long-standing community presence.
Ranked #1 in the UK for Education Law on ReviewSolicitors.
Actively involved in pro bono work, including partnerships with Autism Independence and Next Link, as well as other organisations.
Featured on platforms such as BBC Radio 4, BBC News and ITV, contributing to sector-shaping discussions.
Opportunities to attend events such as The Autism Show, legal training panels and community outreach.
Supportive, collaborative team culture with excellent training and progression pathways.
Flexible and remote work options are available where appropriate.
Our firm actively supports junior lawyers with structured supervision and mentoring from day one. Many of our senior solicitors trained and qualified with us. We invest in professional development and maintain a firm-wide commitment to inclusion, flexibility and wellbeing.
We know our people are what sets us apart. That’s why we continue to nurture and develop our colleagues and attract and retain the best talent.
We support colleagues with a robust programme of learning and development opportunities, underpinned by our transparent career development framework, which shows exactly what you need to achieve to grow your career with us.
From mentoring through to personal development programmes and courses, we are proud to offer a suite of opportunities to drive your career and achieve your ambitions.
“Watkins Solicitors supported me from Paralegal to Solicitor, with clear supervision, training and a team that genuinely cares about clients. I have gained experience in injunctions and private children matters, and I am building my knowledge in care proceedings. If you want to do meaningful work and develop quickly in a supportive team, this is the place to do it.”Sophia Beekman, Solicitor, Education Department, Watkins Solicitors
We’re on a mission to create a dynamic and inclusive culture. And that starts with our recruitment process. If you have a disability, whether visible or not, we want to work with you every step of the way.
Watkins Solicitors welcomes applications from all sections of the community, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, providing equipment or changes to the workplace. All candidates invited to interview have the opportunity to request adjustments to the recruitment process when scheduling your interview.
Read verified reviews from people who have used Watkins Solicitors.
Please send your CV and a compelling covering letter to Farzana Hasnat at fhasnat@watkinssolicitors.co.uk .
Interviews will be conducted shortly after and may occur sooner if sufficient and suitable candidates are received.
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