We have a fantastic opportunity for a Public Solicitor to join our growing business, based in Huddersfield or Barnsley.

About Us

Ridley & Hall is a Yorkshire‑based law firm committed to supporting its people to thrive both professionally and personally. We are known for our strong workplace culture, wellbeing focus, and inclusive approach to employment. Through our Ridley &’all initiative, we invest in employee wellbeing, paid volunteering days, equality and diversity, and meaningful community involvement. We actively support work life balance, flexible working, and long‑term career development in a supportive and respectful environment.

Our Public Law team is recognised for specialist work in care proceedings and Children Act cases, with a strong focus on protecting vulnerable families. The team benefits from the vast experience of Nigel Priestley MBE, a highly respected Senior Partner and pioneer in public law, alongside award‑winning expertise, with Helen Moody named Partner of the Year at the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2025 for her leadership in kinship care and public law.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Demonstrate a high level of knowledge and excellent client care skills.
• Knowledge and experience of legal aid files, as well as privately paying fees.
• Good written and verbal communication to deal with a broad range of clients and the willingness to provide the highest standard of client care.
• Outstanding interpersonal and marketing skills with the ability to develop contacts for the firm.
• Ability to work within a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines.
• Strong decision-making skills.
• Self-starter, motivator, meticulous and capable of being innovative.
• Advocacy skills

Role

The prime role of a solicitor within the care and public team would be to represent kinship carers and adoptive parents within care proceedings, in additional to prospective adopters and foster carers within adoption proceedings.

Main Responsibilities

• To exercise high standards of client care at all times in a professional and pleasant manner.
• To ensure the confidentiality and security of all the firm’s and client documentation and information.
• To maintain clear and precise communications with other personnel of the firm.
• To ensure good working relationships with external institutions and organisations.
• A commitment to the development of the business and marketing activities.
• As requested, to support, develop and supervise immediate support staff.
• To undertake any reasonable task as requested.
• To undertake advocacy to represent a clients’ best interests/instructions in a case

Specific Responsibilities

• Day-to-day handling of a wide variety of cases in respect of representing kinship carers and adoptive parents within care proceedings.
• Experience of running own case load and being able to pick up cases partway through.
• Conduct of matters on behalf of clients.
• Work as part of the team.

Additional Duties

To assist where required in marketing the firm’s client services

Our offer

• Competitive salary.
• Work life balance.
• Hybrid working available after a training period.
• 25 days holiday plus statutory, plus extra days for long service.
• An extra day’s holiday for your birthday.
• 2 x ½ days off for Life Admin Days.
• Health Scheme.
• 2 x Non -Contractual Bonuses per year.
• Christmas party get togethers.

Equal Opportunity

An equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, colour, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic or national origin, disability, age pregnancy or maternity, marital or civil partner status, or any other consideration prohibited by law.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: Depending on experience