Job Description

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.