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So far, most of my practice area-focused articles have emphasised private sector law: we've talked about everything, from private client law to corporate law. While the private sector offers a wide range of opportunities, such as working with individuals, families, and businesses on local and international levels, it's not for everyone.

In this article, I'll be focusing on an area of law in the public sector: local government law. Like the private sector, it may also not be for everyone. That said, it can affect the everyday life of regular people in a way that legal work in the private sector doesn’t.

Delegated to local councils, local government lawyers shape the directions of many things, from schools and childcare to housing and roads. Councils work with local individuals and businesses to manage and resolve local issues, while local government lawyers facilitate those resolutions.

What do local government lawyers do?

Local government lawyers work in-house at a local council, advising on all social and commercial legal issues managed by that council. They handle litigation and advocacy, advise council employees on the preparation of policies and planning, and advise on all social and commercial legal issues managed by the council. They may also bring and advise on judicial review claims.

As with any legal job, there's also a research component. Researching specific legislation and case law surrounding specific sectors, as well as strategic approaches and solutions to client issues are among the responsibilities of local government lawyers.

What makes a great local government lawyer?

Local government law involves working with local authorities, so a solid understanding of the national legal system and academic law, including case law, is a necessity. An interest in academic law is even better.

However, being a local government lawyer is more than just burying yourself in books: a sense of pragmatism and an understanding of how to approach real-world issues is equally as important. Of course, the usual skills that make a good lawyer – such as research, communication, client sensitivity, and attention to detail – also come into play.

Communication comes to the fore in this role. As a local government lawyer, you’ll be connecting and working with various communities, service providers, and public and private bodies. Occasionally, you may also work with central government figures. As such, tact and an ability to effectively tailor your communication according to various audiences are also central to the role.

How does local government law differ from private practice?

One key difference between private practice and the public sector is funding. Public sector organisations are funded by the government, whereas private sector businesses and law firms are subject to private funding (from individuals or firms).

In terms of the nature of work, both the private and public sectors have a wide range of practice areas and specialties to choose from – and that's not even considering the varied day-to-day work within an individual practice area. However, while local government lawyers are more proactive in formulating policies and political changes that affect the day-to-day lives of those outside the legal sphere, those in private practice law firms are less inclined to do so. This, of course, doesn't mean that one is less rewarding than the other – only that they differ in their scope of public influence.

Generally, public sector work is said to have a better work/life balance. However, this may also be true for some private practice law firms, depending on the firm, the practice area and the time of year.

Find out more about work/life balance in the legal profession.

Is local government law for you?

If you’re someone with a strong desire to serve your community and enact change to benefit the public, this sector may be for you. There’s something very empowering about having the ability to acknowledge something wrong with your local area and be able to resolve it. Not only is it a privilege that not many get to be involved in, but it’s also a difficult task that not many can do right. Above all, it’s clear that local government law is for those committed to making changes, and seeing those changes through.