Licensing Solicitor (NQ+)

Foot Anstey; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with bonus

Sabbaticals

Enhanced parental leave

Private healthcare and wellbeing

Job summary

Foot Anstey McKees is recruiting a Licensing Solicitor (NQ+) to join our Belfast team. The role sits in Licensing – Foot Anstey McKees, offering a platform for ambitious lawyers to work on local NI hospitality and leisure licensing matters within a supportive, growth‑driven firm.

Flexible working patterns and a strong development path are highlighted as part of the package. The successful candidate will handle licensing, commercial contracts, corporate acquisitions, property leases and advocacy,

Qualifications

• Recently qualified as a Solicitor or coming up to qualification with grounding in general commercial work and interest in licensing and related court advocacy
• Training and development within licensing will be provided in abundance from a supportive team setting you up for success
• Commitment to delivering an exceptional client experience in every interaction
• Passion for innovation, collaboration and achieving great things together

Responsibilities

• Play an active role, focused on local work across Northern Ireland across the hospitality and leisure sector
• Work across a broad spectrum of complex work and transactions, including licensing, commercial contracts, corporate acquisitions, property leases and advocacy
• Day to day, you will take a solution led approach, listening to clients’ challenges and understanding their businesses in order to provide tailored solutions

Skills

Client-focused

Commercial awareness

Licensing interest

Advocacy

Job description

Job Title: Licensing Solicitor (NQ+) Ready to take your career to the next level?

We’re one of the UK’s most forward-thinking law firms, built on a foundation of innovation, collaboration, and ambition. Join us, and let’s shape the future together.

The role in 60 seconds

• Role: Solicitor (NQ+)
• Team: Licensing – Foot Anstey McKees
• Location: Belfast
• Working Pattern: Full-time/Part-time/Flexible
• Why this role matters: Being a part of a team with ambitious growth plans, you will be given the platform to be involved in a broad range of complex work with exciting career prospects

What you’ll do

In this role, you’ll:

• Play an active role, focussed on local work across Northern Ireland across the hospitality and leisure sector
• Work across a broad spectrum of complex work and transactions, including licensing, commercial contracts, corporate acquisitions, property leases and advocacy
• Day to day, you will take a solution led approach, listening to clients’ challenges and understanding their businesses in order to provide tailored solutions

What we’re looking for

We’re seeking someone who thrives in a fast-paced, client-focused environment and brings:

• Having recently qualified as a Solicitor or coming up to qualification, you will have a good grounding in general commercial work with an interest in licensing and related court advocacy
• Training and development within licensing will be provided in abundance from a supportive team, setting you up for success.
• Commitment to delivering an exceptional client experience in every interaction
• You’ll share our passion for innovation, collaboration, and achieving great things together.

Join a seriously ambitious firm

At Foot Anstey McKees we’re committed to making a difference for our people, our clients, and society. Here’s what makes us stand out:

• An ambitious growth strategy that opens up opportunities for our people to make their mark.
• A client base that spans household names, thriving startups, and ambitious enterprises.
• A culture built on our values of being refreshingly human, entrepreneurial, inclusive and collaborative.
• A strong focus on being a responsible business with a commitment to sustainability and giving back to our communities.
• Comprehensive professional development and training – whatever your role and level we have training that will support you to achieve your goals.
• In June 2025 McKees joined forces with Foot Anstey enabling us to better support our clients and create more opportunities for our employees.

Progressive benefits tailored to you

We believe our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional growth and personal wellbeing, including:

• Competitive salary and performance-linked bonus.
• Employee sabbaticals
• Enhanced parental leave policies.
• Private healthcare and wellbeing initiatives (e.g., mental health support, gym memberships).
• An open, flexible working environment.