Immigration Associate

Stephenson Harwood LLP; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Client-focused culture

Job summary

Stephenson Harwood’s Immigration team in the UK is seeking an associate to join a high-performing, expanding practice on a permanent basis. The role targets a mid-level associate with experience in UK immigration law, offering opportunities to develop within a highly regarded firm.

You will work with corporate clients, high-net-worth individuals, and energy sector projects, handling sponsor licences, visas, and related undertakings while progressing client matters with senior guidance.

Qualifications

• Experience at a firm with a highly regarded immigration practice.
• Experience handling corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals.
• Strong knowledge of UK immigration law and applications for corporate and private clients.
• Strong drafting and communication skills; ability to explain complex issues clearly.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Commercial awareness with a client-focused approach.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, collaborating with colleagues.
• Proactive approach to legal research and professional development.
• Commitment to high standards of client service and supporting BD efforts.

Responsibilities

• Advise and assist corporate clients on sponsor licence applications, management, compliance, and visa filings.
• Advise and assist high-net-worth individuals and families on UK immigration matters and related visas.
• Support offshore energy projects with crew sponsorship and visa applications.
• Attend client meetings and advise on UK immigration options.
• Independently manage own client matters and applications.
• Supervise and review work by paralegals.
• Liaise with clients, Home Office, and stakeholders to progress matters efficiently.
• Draft legal documents, correspondence, and supporting evidence for applications and appeals.
• Conduct legal research and stay updated on immigration laws and guidance.
• Support business development, prepare client updates, and present on immigration topics.
• Collaborate with Private Wealth, Employment and Marine teams.

Skills

Immigration law

Corporate clients

Drafting

Communication

Attention to detail

Commercial awareness

Independent work

Team collaboration

Business development

Job description

What we will offer

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We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

Team Structure

The Immigration team at Stephenson Harwood is led by experienced partner Jessica Smart, who is supported by an associate with over 10 years’ immigration experience and three paralegals.

The team regularly advises multinational corporations, start-ups, and high-net-worth individuals and their family members on all aspects of UK immigration law. They have particular expertise in sponsor licence applications, management and compliance; Home Office audits and investigations; and Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility routes. The team also supports HNW clients with personal immigration matters, including economic migration routes; family visas; settlement, and British citizenship and complex passport applications.

With rankings in Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 for both business and personal immigration work, the team is praised for its technical expertise, commercial approach, and client service.

We are now seeking an associate to join this high-performing and expanding team on a permanent basis. This is an excellent opportunity for a mid-level associate with experience in UK immigration law to develop their career within a highly ranked and supportive practice, working alongside recognised experts on diverse and interesting immigration matters.

Main Responsibilities

• Advising and assisting corporate clients on a variety of UK immigration matters, including sponsor licence applications, management, and compliance; requesting and assigning Certificates of Sponsorship; and preparing and submitting Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility visa applications.
• Advising and assisting HNW individuals and family members on a variety of UK immigration matters, including Investor visa, Innovator Founder, Global Talent, EU Settlement Scheme, Settlement, British citizenship and British passport applications.
• Advising and assisting offshore energy companies, with the sponsorship and visa applications of crew undertaking projects in UK waters in surveying, O&G and offshore wind.
• Attending client meetings / calls and advising on UK immigration options.
• Independently managing own client matters and applications.
• Supervising and reviewing work done by paralegals.
• Liaising with clients, the Home Office, and other stakeholders to progress matters efficiently and professionally.
• Drafting legal documents, correspondence, and supporting evidence for applications and appeals.
• Legal research and keeping up to date with changes in immigration laws and guidance.
• Supporting business development activities, including preparing client updates, presenting on UK immigration topics and attending BD events.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues in our Private Wealth, Employment and Marine Trade & Offshore teams.

Attributes/Skills Required

• Experience working at a firm with a highly regarded immigration practice and a proven track record in handling relevant matters at the appropriate level.
• Experience working with corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals.
• Strong knowledge on UK immigration law and applications for corporate and private clients.
• Strong drafting and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and succinctly to clients.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines.
• Commercial awareness and a practical, client-focused approach.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, collaborating effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Proactive approach to legal research and professional development.
• Commitment to delivering high standards of client service and supporting the team’s business development efforts.

About the Firm

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we're committed to creating 'positive partnerships' with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.

Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade.

With more than 1,500 people, including 250+ partners, across eleven offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

• 250+ PARTNERS
• 11 OFFICES
• 45+ LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY OUR PEOPLE

Offices in Al Khobar, Athens, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Madrid, Paris, Riyadh, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and associated office in Guangzhou

Our brand strengths:

GO FAR, GO TOGETHER

EXPERTS IN MORE THAN LAW

CAN DO PERSONALITIES

ALWAYS READY