Contentious Tax Lawyer – Associate / Senior Associate – Tax Disputes & Investigations

Brabners; Leeds; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An independent law firm in Leeds is seeking a talented contentious tax lawyer to join their Corporate Defence and Compliance team. The role involves advising clients on disputes with HMRC and Border Force, representing clients in tax tribunals, and handling investigations. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in contentious tax and civil litigation and excellent analytical skills. A competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package are offered.

Benefits

25 days holiday increasing to 32

Pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Income protection insurance

Opportunity for community involvement

Qualifications

• Proven experience in contentious tax, regulatory enforcement, and civil litigation.
• Experience dealing with HMRC and Border Force is preferable.
• Strong communication skills and a proactive approach.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on disputes with HMRC and Border Force.
• Represent clients in tax tribunals and judicial reviews.
• Handle investigations of alleged tax evasion and customs breaches.

Skills

Contentious tax experience

Regulatory enforcement

Civil litigation

Excellent drafting skills

Analytical skills

Business development

Job description

The purpose-led independent law firm and certified B Corp.

As part of ourCorporate Defence and Compliance team, our specialistTax Disputes & Investigations team is known for handling high-profile, complex matters involving HMRC, customs authorities, and cross-border enforcement agencies. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a talented and driven contentious tax lawyer, ideally at Associate / Senior Associate level to join our team, with a particular focus on matters involving Tax and Customs related disputes with HMRC, together with Border Force disputes.

You will work on a broad range of contentious tax matters, including :

• Advising clients on disputes with HMRC across all direct and indirect taxes. Including proactive advice to manage possible risk areas
• Advising clients on disputes with HMRC and UK Border Force, including seizure of goods, customs classification, and valuation issues
• Representing clients in tax tribunals and judicial review proceedings
• Handling investigations involving alleged tax evasion, smuggling, and breaches of import / export regulations
• Supporting clients in voluntary disclosures and settlement negotiations
• Collaborating with colleagues across regulatory, white-collar crime, and international trade teams

What we are looking for :

• Proven experiences in contentious tax, regulatory enforcement, civil litigation
• Experienced in dealing with HMRC and / or Border Force, ideally with exposure to customs and excise matters
• Confident in managing complex litigation and advisory work
• A strong communicator with excellent drafting and analytical skills
• Commercially aware and client-focused, with a proactive and collaborative approach
• Comfortable with business development and supporting the wider team with winning new work

This role would suit an experienced solicitor who is keen to specialise in complex tax disputes and investigations. We would consider candidates who have worked on a broad range of matters, who are ambitious and keen to specialise in this area.

Benefits

Our successful candidate will have an incredible opportunity to develop a rewarding and successful career with an award-winning law firm in a flexible and agile working environment.

We provide a competitive salary and benefits package, including 25 days’ holiday (increasing to 32 days through our loyalty recognition programme) plus the option to purchase an extra five days each year.

We also offer a pension scheme, private medical insurance, life assurance and income protection insurance, as well as plenty of opportunities to get involved in our colleague committees to make a real impact in the local community.

About Brabners

Brabners is purpose-led independent law firm. A certified B Corp with award-winning environmental credentials, we seek to demonstrate that business can bring about positive change by being innovative, diverse and sustainable.

With over 200 years of history, we’re proudly anchored in the North but serve businesses and individuals across England and Wales.

We have won awards for being innovative at the Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards and diverse as Manchester Law Society’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions. We are also recognised as one of the 25 best large companies to work for in the UK and have won The Legal 500 Future Lawyers awards for job satisfaction, quality of work, social life and work / life balance.

We have a number of colleague-led affinity groups including for LGBTQ+, REACH, physical and mental health and social mobility, as well as a sustainability, environmental and green group.

It’s all part of how we make the difference.