Sarah Harriott | Senior Lawyer, West Northamptonshire Council

Alumna Sarah Harriott studied the Legal Practice Course (LPC) with us before going on to a successful career in local government law. We caught up with Sarah to discuss her current role and how she was inspired to champion diversity in law.

I have always had an interest in creative writing and had early aspirations to be a journalist or scriptwriter. I enjoyed humanities subjects, critical thinking and getting my thoughts down on paper. My ambitions changed as I grew older and I developed an interest in justice and how the rule of law worked in the UK. I realised that I enjoyed interpreting and applying law during my degree, which I still do to this day.

My current role is as a senior lawyer in the Contracts and Procurement Team at West Northamptonshire Council. I deal with contracts related to the acquisition of goods, services, works and grant agreements. I draft, review and negotiate contracts to ensure that they are legally sound, meet the Council’s requirements and protect the Council’s interests.

I discovered my current role after attending an East Midlands Lawshare (ELMS) conference. I heard Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer Sarah Hall talking about a new legal team being built at West Northamptonshire Council. I was struck by how passionately she spoke and how clear she was that diversity and inclusion was a core part of the culture being developed. The next day, a role popped up on LinkedIn and I applied. I was fortunate enough to secure a role in the Contracts Team after an interview and I gained an incredible opportunity to expand my skillset.

The most rewarding aspect of working in local government law is the opportunity to have a tangible and positive impact on the local community. The work that I deal with is varied and can include contracts for services that will improve lives. This could include services to help the homeless and grant agreements that will fund projects such as supporting carers in the community. I am proud to be a small part of making those projects happen.

The proudest moment of my career so far was being awarded the title of Birmingham Black Lawyers (BBL) Lawyer of the Year in 2023. In 2020, I was moved by the words of I. Stephanie Boyce, the then incoming Law Society president. She talked about her commitment to diversity and equity and the low percentage of Black lawyers in the profession, particularly at senior leadership levels. I was struck when I heard the challenges Black lawyers face in the profession. I realised I was only one person, but inadvertently made it my mission to be more visible in the profession and encourage others as my way of helping. Most of this has been done on LinkedIn, where I have been fortunate to grow a following. On there, I share parts of my career journey and post about the people I meet, things I do and my family. I also promote West Northamptonshire Council, Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) and local government law. I do this mainly by sharing throwback photos and collages. It was a complete (but pleasant) shock to be anonymously nominated and win. I am truly grateful to everyone who has supported me in my online journey.

My parents particularly inspired me during my studies. They are Jamaican and came to the UK as children. I am in the first generation of the family to go to university, along with my older brother. They never pushed me and just wanted me to be happy but were incredibly proud and supportive when I said I wanted to pursue a career in law. My older brother is a primary school teacher and is one of a very small percentage of Black males in primary school teaching in the UK; we are proud of him too. They are the best at pep talks and kept me on track when I completed the course. They have been there for every stage of my career journey and are still there to this day. I am lucky to have them in my life.

Since 2021, LLG have held a summer Work Experience Week. Students spend mornings shadowing local government lawyers remotely (in-person attendance is available), attending a variety of meetings and undertaking work assignments. The afternoon session consist of webinars, animated roundtables and live workshops designed to give them a full insight into a career as a local government lawyer. It has been a privilege to be involved in this incredible initiative since its inception. LLG were shortlisted for the Best University and Employer Partnership Award at the Institute of Student Employer Awards. Applications for summer 2025 open in February.   

Students should not discount working in local government law. You can find something that fits you.  Typically, at a smaller council you will cover more practise areas, whereas you may be more specialised at a larger council. Areas can include criminal prosecutions (e.g. trading standards and noise abatement), litigation, contracts, planning, property, employment law and children and adult protection. Look at specific council websites for roles, as well as more general local government websites. LLG have their own dedicated Recruitment Hub for vacancies including training contracts. Finally, keep an open mind; it is possible to move from private to public sector and vice versa throughout your career. 

My top three tips for students aiming to break into local government law are:

1. Build your networks from the start of your career. The world of local government is small and the connections you make will last throughout your career. LLG provide bursaries for junior lawyers to attend their events and hold virtual events online.

2. Be open to continually learning and developing your expertise in several areas.

3. Consider using social media to highlight your interest in local government law, connect with other lawyers, follow councils and stay up to date on news and job postings.

The main piece of advice I would give my 18-year-old self would be to not let failure define you.  Setbacks and rejection are all part of the journey and failure is an opportunity to reflect and grow.  Sometimes, after the dust has settled, you realise that those disappointments were redirection to the opportunity that was actually meant for you. I would also encourage myself to be more open to feedback and both make and grasp those opportunities when they come your way. This is the advice I live by now.

Follow in Sarah's footsteps and study the LPC to start your legal career.

By Cara Fielder. Published 18 October 2024.