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Working as a lawyer in DfES Legal Adviser’s Office

Working as a lawyer in DfES Legal Adviser’s Office

Sally Lister

I came to the Legal Adviser’s Office on secondment from a local authority. I have found the work in LAO challenging and demanding but also very exciting and very varied. I have also felt that my work does have a genuine and real impact on people’s lives.

Why do I say this?

· challenging - because the clients are very knowledgeable and ask very thought-provoking and clever questions which require an even cleverer answer;
· demanding - because the clients often want answers yesterday;
· exciting - because the work of the Department is often innovative and central to Government policy; and
· varied - because the work is not just about schools but is about creating and promoting the welfare and learning of people from the very young to the very old.

Formal education at a school is only a tiny part of my work in that process: I have advised on commercial and employment issues, family matters as well as administrative and education law, covering such issues as admissions and exclusions. It really is very varied work that impacts on people’s lives: I am part of a Department which is trying to improve the life chances and opportunities for everyone and if you have chosen to work in the public sector, you can't get better than that.