Employment Law Solicitor

Employment Law Solicitor (1-4 PQE)

Location: Belfast (Hybrid Working)
Position: Full-time

A highly regarded international law firm is looking to grow its Belfast-based employment team with the appointment of an Employment Law Solicitor (1-4 PQE). This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established, collaborative team known for handling high-quality work for leading employers and corporate clients.

The role offers a genuine mix of contentious and advisory employment law, exposure to both Northern Ireland and Great Britain jurisdictions, and the chance to develop your expertise under the guidance of experienced Partners and Legal Directors. With hybrid working and strong support structures in place, this role offers both flexibility and long-term career development.

The employment team advises a broad client base including major employers, insurers, and corporate organisations, providing pragmatic, commercially focused advice across the full employment law lifecycle.

Work includes:

• Employment tribunal litigation, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, harassment, and complex disputes

• Day-to-day advisory support on contracts, policies, handbooks, and HR processes

• Strategic advice on reorganisations, redundancies, TUPE, performance management, and workplace investigations

• Ongoing risk management and compliance guidance

The wider firm is recognised for its litigation strength, high-quality training, and supportive culture, making it an excellent environment for solicitors looking to build a long-term career.

You will:

• Advise clients on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters

• Assist with and manage employment tribunal claims from early stages through to hearing

• Draft and review employment contracts, policies, and HR documentation

• Support clients through restructurings, redundancies, TUPE transfers, and employee relations issues

• Prepare pleadings, witness statements, legal research, and case analysis

• Work closely with senior lawyers on complex and high-value matters

• Build strong client relationships and contribute to business development initiatives

• Keep up to date with developments in NI and GB employment law

Essential:

• Qualified Solicitor (NI or England & Wales)

• 1-4 years' PQE with experience in employment law

• Strong drafting, analytical, and communication skills

• Ability to manage multiple matters and work with a high degree of autonomy

• Commercial mindset and commitment to client service

Desirable:

• Experience advising employer clients

• Tribunal advocacy experience or a desire to develop advocacy skills

• Exposure to TUPE, redundancies, and workplace investigations

• Interest in client development and profile-building

• Competitive salary and excellent benefits package

• Hybrid working with a healthy work-life balance

• High-quality, varied employment law work

• Strong supervision, mentoring, and structured development

• Clear progression opportunities within a growing team

• Exposure to both NI and GB employment law, enhancing long-term career prospects

VANRATH acts as an agency and employment business for permanent recruitment and the supply of temporary workers.