Employment Solicitor - Award Winning Firm

Hunters Legal is proud to be working with a well-regarded and award-winning law firm to recruit a newly qualified Employment Solicitor for their Employment & Immigration Group based in Guildford. This role offers the chance to join a highly ranked team with a reputation for excellence, supporting a diverse client base and gaining exposure to a wide range of employment law and business immigration matters.

About the Firm

This firm is known for its strong regional presence, with multiple offices across the South East including London. Its Employment team is ranked Band 1 by both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, and the Guildford team is led by a highly regarded partner recognised individually for excellence in the field.

The Department

The Employment & Immigration team advises a broad range of clients, including multinational corporations, national businesses, UK-based SMEs, and international companies establishing operations in the UK. The department also supports individual clients, with a growing immigration practice embedded within the wider employment offering.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a newly qualified solicitor to join a high-performing team and develop a career with a focus on quality work, excellent client service, and visibility in the Surrey market.

Role Overview

The successful candidate will join the Guildford Employment & Immigration Group and contribute to its continued growth and success. The role includes a variety of work such as:

• Employment Tribunal case management.
• Reviewing contracts and workplace policies.
• Advising on settlement agreements.
• Providing support on M&A and TUPE transactions.
• Advising business owners/directors.
• Supporting restructures and redundancy processes.
• TUPE-related advice.
• Business immigration matters (sponsor licensing, visa applications, compliance).
• General advisory work.

The workload will primarily focus on advising employer/respondents, though a portion of individual/claimant work is also included. There is scope to develop expertise in employment-related immigration work, in collaboration with the wider immigration team based in London.

Responsibilities

Legal & Advisory:

• Manage a mix of advisory and contentious employment matters under supervision.
• Contribute to internal legal projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop knowledge of employment and immigration law as it applies to the firm’s client base.

Client Care:

• Deliver high-quality legal advice with a commercial and pragmatic approach.
• Build trusted relationships with clients and understand their objectives.

Financial:

• Meet individual billing and performance targets.
• Ensure accurate time recording, billing, and data management.
• Scope and price work appropriately to meet budget and deadline expectations.

Teamwork & Development:

• Support partners and senior colleagues on complex matters.
• Take part in training sessions, internal meetings, and firm-wide initiatives.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture.

Business Development

• Represent the firm at networking events in the Guildford and wider Surrey area.
• Participate in seminars, articles, and other profile-raising activities.
• Build a personal professional presence and network.

Risk Management

• Comply with all firm risk and compliance policies, including AML and FSMA.
• Maintain a high standard of file management and documentation.

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrable interest in employment and immigration law.
• Minimum of six months’ experience (training seat or equivalent) in employment law.
• Strong communication and client care skills.
• Commercial and pragmatic mindset, with technical legal ability.
• Desire to contribute to business development and team growth.
• Excellent attention to detail and documentation drafting skills.
• Comfortable using legal tech and standard office software.
• Confident with Excel and case management systems.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (plus 3.5 days during Christmas closure), birthday leave, and bank holidays.
• Private healthcare.
• Life assurance.
• Pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Interest-free season ticket loans.
• Discounts on legal services and Sodexo employee rewards.