Job description
Employment Law Solicitor (1-4 PQE)
Location: Belfast (Hybrid)
Position Type: Full-time
About the Role
A highly regarded international law firm is seeking an Employment Law Solicitor with 1-4 years' PQE to join its expanding employment team in Belfast. This hybrid role offers flexibility, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to work on high-quality employment matters across both contentious and advisory areas.
The successful candidate will support a wide-ranging client base, including major employers, insurers, and corporate clients, and will gain exposure to both NI and GB employment law matters.
Team & Practice Overview
The employment team provides comprehensive legal support across the full spectrum of employment law, including:
- Employment tribunal claims (unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment, whistleblowing, complex disputes)
- Day-to-day advisory work on contracts, handbooks, HR processes, and internal procedures
- Guidance on reorganisations, redundancies, TUPE, performance management, and workplace investigations
- Ongoing strategic advice to clients to manage workforce risk and compliance
The wider firm is well known for its litigation strengths, collaborative culture, and high-quality training and development.
Key Responsibilities
- Advise clients on a variety of employment law issues (contentious and non-contentious)
- Assist with and manage employment tribunal matters
- Draft, review, and advise on employment contracts, policies, and HR documentation
- Support clients through reorganisations, redundancy processes, TUPE transfers, and employee-relations issues
- Prepare pleadings, witness statements, legal research, and case reports
- Work closely with senior lawyers on complex or high-value matters
- Build strong client relationships and contribute to business development
- Stay up to date with relevant employment legislation and case law
Person Specification
Essential:
- Qualified Solicitor (NI or England & Wales with willingness to work across NI matters)
- 1-4 years' PQE with exposure to employment law
- Strong drafting, research, and analytical skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities
- Commercial awareness and a commitment to excellent client service
Desirable:
- Experience representing employer clients
- Tribunal advocacy experience or interest in developing advocacy skills
- Exposure to redundancies, TUPE, and workplace investigations
- Experience engaging in business development or client initiatives
What's on Offer
- Competitive salary and excellent benefits
- Hybrid working (mix of office and remote work)
- Supportive and collaborative team environment
- High-quality work with strong supervision and mentoring
- Clear opportunities for career development and progression
- Exposure to both NI and GB employment law matters
VANRATH acts as an agency and employment business for permanent recruitment and the supply of temporary workers.
