Employment Lawyer

Salary: £55,000 – £85,000 + Benefits

Location: Tonbridge Area

High-Growth Team with Clear Progression Path

Are you an Employment Lawyer looking to join a growing, highly respected team where you can shape your career, develop your expertise, and work on a diverse and interesting caseload? This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-regarded Employment practice advising a broad range of clients across multiple sectors.

Our client is expanding its Employment team and is seeking lawyers at all levels of PQE, offering a rare opportunity to grow within a supportive, partner-led environment that values technical excellence, commercial thinking, and long-term development.

The Role: Broad, Commercial Employment Law Practice

As an Employment Lawyer, you will work across a wide range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, primarily acting for employers while also handling complex employee claims.

Key responsibilities include:

• Advising employers on day-to-day HR and employment law issues
• Handling Employment Tribunal litigation, including discrimination, unfair dismissal, and whistleblowing claims
• Drafting and negotiating settlement agreements, contracts, and workplace policies
• Supporting corporate teams with employment aspects of transactions (TUPE, due diligence, etc.)
• Providing strategic and commercial HR advisory support
• Working across sectors including:
  • Agriculture
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Education
  • Healthcare
• Delivering clear, pragmatic, and solutions-focused legal advice
• Supporting business development, networking, and client growth initiatives

Team & Environment

You will join a highly regarded Employment team led by an experienced and respected Partner, known for its strong client relationships and commercial approach.

The team offers:

• A collaborative and supportive culture
• Exposure to a diverse range of sectors and clients (public, private, and not-for-profit)
• Strong emphasis on technical development and career progression
• Opportunities to work closely with senior lawyers on complex matters

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)
• Experience in Employment Law (all PQE levels considered)
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Employment Tribunal procedure
  • HR advisory work
  • Employment contracts and policies
• Excellent drafting, communication, and negotiation skills
• Ability to provide commercial, pragmatic legal advice
• Strong client-facing and relationship-building skills

Desirable:

• Experience in corporate support work (TUPE, transactions, etc.)
• Exposure to both claimant and respondent work
• Interest in business development and networking

Personal attributes:

• Proactive and commercially minded
• Strong team player with a collaborative approach
• Confident working with a wide range of clients and sectors
• Passion for delivering high-quality client service

Career Progression

• Clear opportunities for promotion and development at all levels of PQE
• Exposure to high-quality, varied employment work from day one
• Strong support from senior lawyers and leadership team
• Opportunity to build a strong personal client portfolio
• Active involvement in business development and firm growth

Salary & Benefits

• £55,000 – £85,000 salary (dependent on experience)
• Performance-related bonus
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Private healthcare
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Generous holiday allowance
• Structured training and professional development programme
• Supportive, friendly and career-focused environment

Location & Working Arrangements

• Tonbridge area office
• Hybrid working model with flexibility
• Full-time role, with openness to flexible arrangements

Next Steps

To discuss this opportunity in confidence, please contact:

David Hawthorne-Finch
Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Alternatively, apply now for further details and a confidential discussion.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. We will always obtain your express permission before sharing your details with our client.

Criminal Defence Lawyer

Salary: £45,000 – £70,000 + Benefits

Location: Tonbridge Area

Specialist Caseload with Private Client Work & Real Career Progression

Are you a Criminal Defence Lawyer looking to take the next step into a more specialist, high-quality and client-focused practice? This is an excellent opportunity to join a respected and well-established firm representing privately funded clients across a broad and often complex range of criminal and regulatory matters.

Our client offers a rare opportunity to develop specialist expertise in niche areas of criminal law while working within a supportive, growing team that values autonomy, client care, and long-term development.

The Role: Diverse and Specialist Criminal Defence Work

As a Criminal Defence Lawyer, you will advise and represent clients from investigation through to prosecution across a varied caseload.

Key responsibilities include:

• Advising and representing clients at all stages of the criminal justice process
• Managing a caseload of privately funded criminal defence matters
• Handling a broad range of offences from minor to serious criminal allegations
• Working on regulatory and specialist criminal matters, including:
  • Wildlife offences
  • Firearms and licensing matters
  • Animal welfare cases
  • Environmental offences
  • Agricultural and farming-related prosecutions
  • Country sports-related matters
• Handling firearms licensing appeals and related advisory work
• Providing clear, strategic, and client-focused legal advice

Team & Working Environment

You will join a well-regarded and established legal team with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality defence work.

The environment is:

• Supportive and collaborative
• Client-focused and commercially aware
• Professionally structured with strong leadership support
• Growing and open to specialist development

This is a unique opportunity to develop expertise in a highly specialist area of criminal law while building a strong personal caseload.

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive
• Experience in Criminal Defence Law (all levels of PQE considered)
• Strong understanding of criminal procedure and case management
• Ability to handle client-facing work under pressure
• Excellent communication, advocacy, and advisory skills
• Strong organisational and case handling ability

Desirable:

• Experience or interest in regulatory and rural crime work, including:
  • Firearms law
  • Wildlife offences
  • Environmental or agricultural crime
• Experience with privately funded criminal defence work
• Interest in developing a specialist niche practice area

Personal attributes:

• Calm and resilient under pressure
• Strong client care focus, particularly with vulnerable or high-profile clients
• Proactive and detail-oriented approach
• Able to work independently while contributing to a team environment

Salary & Benefits

• £45,000 – £70,000 salary (dependent on experience)
• Competitive benefits package
• Opportunity to develop a specialist criminal defence practice
• Exposure to high-quality privately funded work
• Supportive and collaborative team culture
• Structured professional development and career progression
• Central office location in Tonbridge area
• Strong leadership and mentoring support

Location & Working Arrangements

• Tonbridge area office
• Full-time, office-based role with flexibility where appropriate
• Access to a varied regional and specialist client base

Next Steps

To discuss this opportunity in confidence, please contact:

David Hawthorne-Finch
Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Alternatively, apply now for further details and a confidential discussion.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. We will always obtain your express permission before sharing your details with our client.

Private Client Solicitor (c.3+ Years PQE)

Salary: £50,000 - £65,000+ DOE & Excellent Benefits Package
Location: Maidstone, Kent | Hybrid Working Available | Established High-Quality Private Client Practice

Are you a Private Client Solicitor looking to join a well-regarded and people-focused legal practice with deep roots in the local community?

Our client is seeking an experienced Private Client Solicitor (c.3 years PQE+) to join their established team in the Maidstone area. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a loyal and longstanding client base, handling a varied caseload of private client matters whilst building meaningful relationships with individuals and families across Kent.

The successful candidate will enjoy genuine client contact, high levels of autonomy, and the opportunity to play an important role in the continued growth of a respected private client department.

The Opportunity

Working as part of an experienced and collaborative team, you will advise clients across a broad range of private client matters including:

• Drafting and advising on Wills
• Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)
• Estate Administration and Probate
• Declarations of Trust
• Inheritance and succession planning
• Advising elderly and vulnerable clients
• Client meetings in the office, at home, in hospitals and hospices when required

As a significant proportion of the client base is located within Maidstone and the surrounding villages, regular attendance within the local area will form an important part of the role.

Candidate Requirements

To be considered, you should possess:

• Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales
• Approximately 3+ years PQE within Private Client law
• Proven experience managing your own caseload of:
  • Wills
  • Probate and Estate Administration
  • Lasting Powers of Attorney
  • Declarations of Trust
• Strong client care and relationship-building skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• The ability to work independently whilst contributing to a team environment
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to undertake client visits across Maidstone and surrounding areas
• Experience working with elderly and vulnerable clients would be highly advantageous

Why Join Our Client?

This opportunity offers far more than a traditional private client role. You will become part of a respected local practice with a strong reputation and an established client following.

Benefits Package

• Competitive salary of £50,000 - £65,000
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Pension scheme
• Professional development and ongoing training
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• High-quality existing client base
• Genuine work-life balance
• Career progression opportunities within a growing department
• Exposure to a broad range of private client matters
• Long-term stability with an established regional practice

Career Progression

This position offers an excellent platform for an ambitious solicitor looking to further develop their career in Private Client law. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to strengthen their technical expertise, deepen client relationships, and progress within a highly respected legal team.

Interested?

If you are a Private Client Solicitor seeking a new challenge within a well-established Kent practice, we would be delighted to discuss this opportunity in confidence.

Contact:
David Hawthorne-Finch
Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Apply today or contact David directly for a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity and your longer-term career aspirations.

All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence. Our client is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Private Client Solicitor (c.3+ Years PQE)

Salary: £50,000 - £65,000+ DOE & Excellent Benefits Package
Location: Maidstone, Kent | Hybrid Working Available | Established High-Quality Private Client Practice

Are you a Private Client Solicitor looking to join a well-regarded and people-focused legal practice with deep roots in the local community?

Our client is seeking an experienced Private Client Solicitor (c.3 years PQE+) to join their established team in the Maidstone area. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a loyal and longstanding client base, handling a varied caseload of private client matters whilst building meaningful relationships with individuals and families across Kent.

The successful candidate will enjoy genuine client contact, high levels of autonomy, and the opportunity to play an important role in the continued growth of a respected private client department.

The Opportunity

Working as part of an experienced and collaborative team, you will advise clients across a broad range of private client matters including:

• Drafting and advising on Wills
• Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)
• Estate Administration and Probate
• Declarations of Trust
• Inheritance and succession planning
• Advising elderly and vulnerable clients
• Client meetings in the office, at home, in hospitals and hospices when required

As a significant proportion of the client base is located within Maidstone and the surrounding villages, regular attendance within the local area will form an important part of the role.

Candidate Requirements

To be considered, you should possess:

• Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales
• Approximately 3+ years PQE within Private Client law
• Proven experience managing your own caseload of:
  • Wills
  • Probate and Estate Administration
  • Lasting Powers of Attorney
  • Declarations of Trust
• Strong client care and relationship-building skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• The ability to work independently whilst contributing to a team environment
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to undertake client visits across Maidstone and surrounding areas
• Experience working with elderly and vulnerable clients would be highly advantageous

Why Join Our Client?

This opportunity offers far more than a traditional private client role. You will become part of a respected local practice with a strong reputation and an established client following.

Benefits Package

• Competitive salary of £50,000 - £65,000
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Pension scheme
• Professional development and ongoing training
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• High-quality existing client base
• Genuine work-life balance
• Career progression opportunities within a growing department
• Exposure to a broad range of private client matters
• Long-term stability with an established regional practice

Career Progression

This position offers an excellent platform for an ambitious solicitor looking to further develop their career in Private Client law. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to strengthen their technical expertise, deepen client relationships, and progress within a highly respected legal team.

Interested?

If you are a Private Client Solicitor seeking a new challenge within a well-established Kent practice, we would be delighted to discuss this opportunity in confidence.

Contact:
David Hawthorne-Finch
Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Apply today or contact David directly for a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity and your longer-term career aspirations.

All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence. Our client is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Family Solicitor or Legal Executive / New Office Lead

Location: Flexible across England (new office location to be agreed)

Salary: Open to discussions on salary and bonus

Experience: Ideally 8+ years’ relevant family law experience (other strong candidates considered)

If you’re an experienced private family lawyer who wants to build something of your own, with the backing of a respected specialist brand and a genuinely supportive culture, this is a rare opportunity.

Our client is a family-owned, long-established private family law firm with a strong reputation for practical, commercially aware and client-focused advice. Due to continued success and a growing national profile, they are looking to appoint a Family Solicitor or Legal Executive to establish and lead a new office in an agreed location.

This is not a standard fee earner position. You will have real autonomy to shape the local practice, recruit and develop a team, and grow a sustainable pipeline, supported by central operations, compliance, marketing and business development.

Despite growth and additional offices, the firm has retained the personal, collaborative feel of a traditional family business. They are looking for a well-rounded family lawyer who combines strong technical ability and sound commercial judgement with leadership skills and a genuine business development focus.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Establishing and leading a new office in a location agreed with the firm

• Managing a varied and complex private family law caseload with minimal supervision

• Advising on private children matters and financial remedy claims

• Advising on divorce, separation and cohabitation disputes

• Advising on pre-nuptial, post-nuptial and separation agreements

• Advising on protective injunctions where appropriate

• Handling TOLATA matters where experienced (desirable, not essential)

• Conducting litigation and the reserved legal activities required for the role

• Conducting negotiations with solicitors, other representatives and litigants in person

• Attending client meetings, conferences and court hearings where appropriate

• Exercising rights of audience where required and within your authorisation

• Instructing and working effectively with counsel and experts

• Maintaining high standards of time recording, billing, costs management and compliance

• Developing a local referral network and professional profile

• Attending networking events and building relationships within the local community

• Supporting marketing and business development initiatives

• Identifying opportunities for sustainable growth

• Contributing to decisions on the location, development and operation of the new office

• Recruiting, supervising and developing colleagues as the office grows

• Collaborating with colleagues across the firm’s other offices

• Contributing to the firm’s wider strategy and continued growth

What We’re Looking For

• A Solicitor (England and Wales) with a current practising certificate, or a CILEX Lawyer / Chartered Legal Executive with the practising rights and authorisations required for the role

• Authorised to carry on the reserved legal activities essential to the role

• Substantial practical experience of private family law

• Strong experience of private children and financial remedy matters

• Confidence managing a varied and complex caseload 

• Strong technical knowledge and practical judgement

• A strong billing history and clear understanding of the commercial requirements of private family work

• Excellent client-care, communication and interpersonal skills

• Clear, accurate and persuasive drafting

• Confidence negotiating and handling sensitive matters

• Strong file management, time recording and financial discipline

• Confidence using case management systems and Microsoft Office

• Leadership potential and, where applicable, experience supervising and developing colleagues

• A collaborative approach and willingness to share knowledge

• Genuine interest in networking, marketing and business development

• Ambition to build a sustainable local practice and team

• Commitment to the firm’s values, culture and long-term growth

What’s On Offer

• The opportunity to establish, develop and lead a new office in an agreed location

• The backing of an established, specialist private family law brand with a strong reputation

• Central administrative, compliance and operational support

• Central marketing and business development support

• Access to colleagues across existing offices with different areas of experience and strengths

• Open to discussions on salary and bonus (depending on experience)

• Full-time or part-time considered

• Flexible start and finish times where operationally possible

• Potential for agreed homeworking arrangements (subject to client, team and business requirements)

• Regular file reviews and constructive professional support

• Opportunity to recruit, supervise and develop a local team

• Genuine long-term progression opportunities

• Potential eligibility for a discretionary bonus scheme (subject to eligibility)

• Paid birthday day off (in addition to annual leave)

• Christmas office closure (in addition to annual leave)

• Opportunity to accrue additional annual leave with length of service

• Workplace pension

• Death-in-service cover

• Health cash plan, including access to a remote doctor

• Discretionary rewards recognising individual achievements

• Inclusive staff and family social events

Working Arrangements

The location and development plan for the new office will be agreed with the successful candidate, taking account of your existing network and local knowledge, local demand for specialist private family services, and the commercial viability and growth potential of the proposed location.

As this is an office establishment and leadership role, you will be expected to maintain an appropriate physical presence in the agreed location, particularly during the office’s initial development and when recruiting or supervising colleagues.

Home working days can be discussed for work suited to focused remote working, such as drafting and file preparation, subject to client, team and business requirements.

Next Steps

Apply online or send your CV to  lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com  or call 0333 996 2882 for more information.

All applications are handled in the strictest confidence. We will always obtain your express permission before sharing your details with our client.

Private Client Solicitor

Salary: £48,000 – £58,000 (DOE)

Location: Sheffield

Experience: 4+ years PQE

A leading regional law firm is seeking an experienced Private Client Solicitor to join its highly regarded team in Sheffield. This is an excellent opportunity to manage a broad range of private client matters, with genuine scope for career progression in a supportive and collaborative environment.

The Opportunity

• Take responsibility for a varied caseload, including wills, probate, estate administration, trusts, and powers of attorney

• Advise clients on inheritance tax, succession planning, and asset protection

• Draft and review complex wills, trust documents, and related correspondence

• Manage trust administration and prepare tax returns for estates and trusts

• Liaise with executors, beneficiaries, and financial advisers

• Deliver clear, practical, and empathetic advice to clients from a wide range of backgrounds

What We're Looking For

Essential:

• Qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive (minimum 4 years’ PQE) with strong experience in private client law

• Demonstrated expertise in wills, probate, estate administration, and LPAs

• Excellent client care, communication, and organisational skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a close-knit team

Desirable:

• Experience in trust administration and tax returns

• STEP qualification or working towards

• Familiarity with legal software and case management systems

What’s On Offer

• Competitive salary in line with market rates (£48,000 – £58,000 DOE)

• Discretionary bonus scheme

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

• Comprehensive benefits package (including pension, healthcare, and enhanced holiday entitlement)

• Support for further training and professional development

• Friendly, inclusive team culture

About Our Client

Our client is a long-established, multi-accredited law firm with a strong reputation across the Yorkshire region. Known for its commitment to exceptional client service, the firm offers a modern, forward-thinking approach while retaining traditional values of integrity and professionalism. The private client team is highly regarded for its technical expertise and collaborative ethos, with a focus on delivering tailored solutions to individuals, families, and business owners. You will benefit from working alongside experienced colleagues in a supportive environment that encourages continuous learning, professional growth, and the sharing of knowledge. The firm invests in the latest technology, flexible working, and staff wellbeing, ensuring you have the tools and support needed to excel in your role and advance your career.

Location & Working Arrangements

Based in Sheffield, in the city centre, giving excellent transport links, and local amenities within walking distance. Flexible and hybrid working options available.

How to Apply

For a confidential discussion or to apply, please contact Lee Hawthorne-Finch at lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com or 0333 996 2882.

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is committed to supporting your career development and ensuring a confidential, professional recruitment process.