NQ Employment Solicitor

JMC Legal Recruitment; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Mentorship from partners

Job summary

JMC Legal Recruitment in Canterbury is seeking an NQ Employment Solicitor for a position with a respected employment team. You’ll handle real employment work from day one, both contentious and non-contentious, alongside partners and senior lawyers who mentor you.

You’ll manage a varied caseload across the full employment cycle, gain real client contact and strategic advice, and have support to build your own client relationships, with development opportunities in a collaborative, regional firm.

Qualifications

• NQ-2 PQE Solicitor or Legal Executive ready to start your employment law career
• Strong fundamentals in employment law, at least a 6 month seat during your training contract
• Attention to detail and commercial awareness
• Genuine interest in business development and client relationships
• Keen to learn and develop in a supportive environment
• Ideally based in or willing to relocate to Canterbury area

Responsibilities

• Handle real employment work from day one, contentious and non-contentious matters
• Work directly with experienced partners and senior lawyers who’ll mentor you properly
• Manage a varied caseload covering the full employment cycle
• Get genuine exposure to client contact and strategic advice
• Build your own client relationships with support and guidance
• Contribute to business development and help grow the team's practice
• This isn't shadowing or support work; you'll have real responsibility and real client contact

Job description

NQ Employment Solicitor | Canterbury, Kent

A respected Chambers and Legal 500-ranked employment team in Canterbury has an opening for an NQ Employment Solicitor. You'll work alongside a Partner and Senior Associate in a genuinely supportive environment, handling real employment work from day one.

The team has built a strong reputation across Kent and the South East for representing employers and employees on meaningful, varied employment matters. You'll develop proper expertise, get genuine mentorship, and have the flexibility to build your career your way.

If you want to start your employment law career in a place that actually invests in developing junior lawyers, this is it.

The Opportunity

You’ll join a well-established, respected employment team:

• Handle real employment work from day one, contentious and non-contentious matters
• Work directly with experienced partners and senior lawyers who’ll mentor you properly
• Manage a varied caseload covering the full employment cycle
• Get genuine exposure to client contact and strategic advice
• Build your own client relationships with support and guidance
• Contribute to business development and help grow the team's practice

This isn't shadowing or support work. You'll have real responsibility and real client contact, with proper mentorship from lawyers who understand how to develop junior lawyers.

The Firm

A Canterbury practice with deep Kent roots and genuine regional respect. Chambers and Legal 500-ranked employment team known for quality work across both employer and employee representation.

The culture is supportive, collaborative, and genuinely interested in developing people. The team actively encourages business development and career progression from day one.

The Work

You’ll handle a diverse employment law caseload:

• Contentious matters: employment disputes, unfair dismissal, discrimination claims
• Non-contentious work: HR advice, policies, procedures, employment contracts
• Settlement negotiations and settlement agreements
• Advisory work for major employers on employment-related issues
• Tribunal representation and court matters (with support initially)
• Client relationship building across a varied client base

This is real employment work, not just templates and standard advice. You’ll develop genuine expertise working with experienced lawyers.

You

• NQ-2 PQE Solicitor or Legal Executive ready to start your employment law career
• Strong fundamentals in employment law, at least a 6 month seat during your training contract
• Attention to detail and commercial awareness
• Genuine interest in business development and client relationships
• Keen to learn and develop in a supportive environment
• Ideally based in or willing to relocate to Canterbury area

What's On Offer

• Salary: depending on background and experience (firm willing to be flexible for the right candidate)
• Hybrid working: after an initial period in office, flexible working arrangements available
• Supportive, collaborative environment with genuine mentorship
• Real employment work not just junior support tasks
• Exposure to high-profile clients and meaningful matters
• Business development opportunities to build your own practice
• Clear career progression within a respected, established team
• Comprehensive benefits package

Why This Works

Employment NQ opportunities are relatively scarce. That means firms that invest properly in development stand out. This team genuinely does.

You’ll work with experienced partners and senior lawyers who understand that developing junior lawyers properly is an investment, not a burden. You’ll have real responsibility, real client contact, and real mentorship, the combination that actually builds expertise.

If you want to start your employment law career in a firm that’s genuinely supportive, genuinely experienced, and genuinely interested in your development, this is it.