Michaela Burrell
Nottingham,Nottinghamshire
Summary
A high‑performing Public Law, Planning and Highways Lawyer with 5 years’ PQE across the public and private sectors. Trusted to lead complex planning, enforcement, highways and governance matters with confidence and independence. Brings a growing legal specialism in waste‑planning matters and known for navigating challenging legal issues, delivering pragmatic advice and building strong relationships with clients, members and stakeholders. Often taken on increasing responsibility and delivered high-quality outcomes in demanding environments. Keen to step into a Senior Lawyer role, bringing the expertise, judgement and leadership required to make an even greater contribution to the firm's success.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work history
Lawyer (Solicitor)
Pathfinder Legal Services Ltd
Northampton, Northamptonshire
2026.09 - Current
- Complex Section 106 expertise — Drafted, negotiated and advised on high‑value, complex bespoke Section 106 obligations, including Open Space and Biodiversity Net Gain provisions requiring innovative solutions to address overseas ownership, title complexity and long‑term management. Ensured legally robust drafting that protected the Local Planning Authority's (LPA) enforcement positions while enabling strategic development delivery.
- Major strategic development support — Assisted legal review and negotiation of the Section 106 Agreement for the nationally significant Marston Valley scheme (up to 5,000 homes). Delivered detailed title analysis, safeguarding Council interests, and supporting timely progression within a fast‑paced programme.
- Appeal-driven Section 106 negotiation — Provided commercially astute advice on a complex Section 106 agreement tied to a planning appeal, maintaining momentum under tight deadlines and earning client commendation for pragmatic, solutions‑focused advice.
- Planning appeals & inquiries — Streamlined appeal operations by designing a clear instruction and communication process now adopted by Central Bedfordshire Council as the procedural precedent for Temporary Traffic Management matters. Acted for the Waste Planning Authority in a complex enforcement appeal, preparing submissions, coordinating counsel and experts, and managing contentious exchanges. Appointed lead legal adviser on a high‑profile waste planning inquiry of strategic importance.
- Planning enforcement & governance — Exercised strong expertise relating to the LPA's statutory enforcement powers (including advising on Enforcement and Stop Notices), committee governance, Certificates of Lawfulness and Local Plan matters. Provided clear, defensible legal advice that enabled legally robust decision‑making, with no subsequent challenges to notices or decisions issued following my guidance.
- Complex Highways Advice— Delivered strategic advice on highways damage prompting further instructions and supplementary legal advice, strengthening client relationships and generating additional work for the firm.
- Appeal programme risk management — Provided timely advice on complex title issues and statutory duties under Article 40(3)(b) DMPO 2015, supporting successful management of a high‑pressure appeal programme resulting in dismissal of the appeal in favour of the LPA.
- Legal precedents & operational improvement — Designed a precedent Self‑Build Unilateral Undertaking template for Central Bedfordshire Council, improving efficiency, reducing costs and supporting timely planning decisions.
- Committee training & development — Strengthened committee capability through observation, training and collaboration with Principal Lawyers, building expertise in governance and member advice.
- Leadership & team contribution — Deputised for Principal Lawyers by managing urgent matters and team workflows, and separately fostered cross‑team collaboration with the property and litigation teams. Provided ongoing support to new senior team members, contributing to a high‑performing team culture.
- Performance & recognition — Consistently commended by clients and senior officers including Cambridgeshire County Council’s Service Director for Infrastructure and Project Delivery for high‑quality, commercially aware advice. Exceeded chargeable hours targets for 2025/26 and 2026/27, generating over £200,000 in fee income between Sept 2025–July 2026, surpassing industry benchmarks for fee performance.
Legal Advisor
Nottingham Magistrates Court
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
2024.06 - 2025.01
- Judicial support — Provided authoritative legal guidance to Magistrates, ensuring decisions were made in accordance with statutory requirements, procedural fairness and established case law.
- Legal research — Conducted targeted legal research to clarify complex points of law, directly strengthening the accuracy, consistency and defensibility of judicial decision‑making.
- Case preparation — Supported the preparation of case files and hearing documentation, improving information flow and readiness for time‑sensitive Court proceedings.
- Judicial process insight — Observed and analysed courtroom procedures and judicial processes, developing a strong understanding of how legal principles are applied in practice and using this insight to enhance the quality of legal support provided.
- Judgment recording — Administered the accurate recording of Magistrates’ judgments during hearings and trials, ensuring reliable documentation for appeals, post‑hearing actions and statutory record‑keeping.
Associate
Browne Jacobson LLP
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
2021.11 - 2024.04
- Top‑tier national law firm experience — Advised a wide portfolio of public bodies on complex, high‑value matters spanning planning, public law, planning regulatory law, and planning litigation, consistently securing favourable and defensible outcomes for clients.
- Section 106 / 278 Agreements — Led the drafting and negotiation of major infrastructure and development agreements, ensuring fairness, proportionality, and legal robustness for clients including Central Government departments, national charities, and major corporate entities.
- Judicial Review risk management — Protected the legal interests of Highway Authorities and Defra by resolving complex highway obstruction issues. Convened and led a multi‑party roundtable that resulted in reinstatement of the obstructed highway and withdrawal of Judicial Review threats.
- Planning Inspectorate submissions — Advised a prominent Trust on evidential strategy for relocating a school within Solihull’s greenbelt as part of the Solihull Local Plan Review. Successfully persuaded the Local Authority to present the Trust’s evidence to the inspector given that the time for the Trust to submit it had lapsed, safeguarding accuracy and ensuring fairness during the Examination in Public.
- Regulatory & environmental legal analysis — Evaluated the merits of potential legal grounds in a complex regulatory environmental matter for Natural England and advised pursuing an interim injunction. Led the client through the full procedural strategy, resulting in a successful outcome before the High Court and effectively safeguarding Natural England's statutory environmental responsibilities.
- Development Consent Order (DCO) expertise — Provided extensive counsel to a Non‑Departmental Public Body on environmental risks associated with the Lower Thames Crossing NSIP. Assessed compliance strategies, evaluated risks in the Applicant’s proposals, and shaped the client’s legal position for presentation to Planning Inspectors during the 2023 Examination.
- Local government constitutional reform — Delivered timely advice to a London Local Authority transitioning to a mayoral governance model. Drafted constitutional amendments, ensured legislative compliance, and secured Full Council approval.
- Planning challenge mitigation — Advised a LPA on managing and mitigating legal exposure after the erroneous grant of planning permission, ensuring statutory duties were met and external challenges avoided.
- Information law & data protection — Applied insights from ongoing data protection training led by Senior Associates and Partners to provide tailored, up‑to‑date advice on emerging information and data protection law issues affecting client operations.
- Legal publications & client updates - Authored and published legal articles, producing clear and accessible updates for clients and contributing regular content for the Public Law Team’s LinkedIn presence and the firm’s website.
Trainee Solicitor
Nottingham City Council
Nottingham , Nottinghamshire
2019.05 - 2021.06
- Early professional foundations — Built robust early legal foundations through a wide‑ranging trainee seat covering amongst others advocacy, advisory work, governance and planning law. Delivered outcome‑focused, multi‑disciplinary legal analysis across planning, regulatory, commercial, contractual, property and litigation matters, tailoring advice to client objectives while navigating the unprecedented legal uncertainties of the COVID‑19 period.
- Planning Advocacy & Planning Litigation — Represented regulatory agencies and housing governance bodies in case management and sentencing hearings before Magistrates, delivering persuasive submissions that strengthened evidential positions and secured favourable outcomes.
- Negotiation & client engagement — Negotiated section 106 agreements and complex commercial property agreements of high‑value transactions, maintaining strong client engagement through proactive communication and regular updates.
- Planning Committee insight — Attended Planning Committee meetings with senior planning lawyers, strengthening knowledge of planning policy, legal risk, and political considerations underpinning major development proposals across Nottinghamshire.
- Governance exposure — Attended regular Full Council meetings with the Director of Legal & Governance Services, gaining first‑hand insight into democratic decision‑making, constitutional compliance and political governance within a local authority.
- Constitutional law development — Received one‑to‑one training from the Director of Legal & Governance Services, developing advanced understanding of constitutional frameworks, statutory duties and governance processes.
- Team capability building — Trained legal assistants and legal secretaries on relevant planning and property legislation, improving team efficiency and strengthening client‑focused service delivery.
Education
Legal Practice Course - Law
BPP University
Manchester, MANLLB Law Degree - Law
University of Hertfordshire
Hatfield, DNCA-Levels - Sociology (B) Art and Design (B) English Language (C)
The Nottingham Bluecoat Sixth Form
NottinghamGCSEs - 3 A's, 7 B's and 2C's
The Nottingham Bluecoat Academy
NottinghamSkills
- Elected trustee on the board for the NOSF, demonstrating strategic thinking and community impact, collaborating with various types of stakeholders to protect Nottingham's Public Green Open Space areas and increase biodiversity net gain across Nottinghamshire
- Assessing and analysing tender applications with a focus on aligning proposals with market changes to achieve the charities financial goals
Trustee
Nottingham Open Space Forum (NOSF) - 05/2023- Current
- Administered clear instructions to various departments in NCC (including advising the Chief Executive) on innovative ways to increase service performance levels & promote equality, diversity and inclusivity
- Designed customised client programs for schools & colleges approved by the Director of Legal and Governance & the Corporate Director
- Assessing NCC's annual financial budget, providing strategic recommendations for effective financial planning
Alumni Youth Cabinet Member - Nottingham City Council (NCC) - 11/2018- Current
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Interpersonal
- Problem solving
- Organisational
- Analytical
- Client Relations
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Lawyer (Solicitor)
Pathfinder Legal Services Ltd
2026.09 - Current
Legal Advisor
Nottingham Magistrates Court
2024.06 - 2025.01
Associate
Browne Jacobson LLP
2021.11 - 2024.04
Trainee Solicitor
Nottingham City Council
2019.05 - 2021.06
GCSEs - 3 A's, 7 B's and 2C's
The Nottingham Bluecoat Academy
A-Levels - Sociology (B) Art and Design (B) English Language (C)
The Nottingham Bluecoat Sixth Form
LLB Law Degree - Law
University of Hertfordshire
Legal Practice Course - Law
BPP University