Senior Solicitor, Corporate, Belfast

Herbert Smith Freehills; Belfast; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international law firm based in Belfast is seeking a Senior Solicitor to supervise legal teams and manage corporate matters. The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years PQE in Corporate law, especially M&A, and a strong drive to innovate legal services through technology. This is a full-time, permanent position with a commitment to diversity and an inclusive culture.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of supervising and supporting a legal team.
• Strong drive to innovate legal services through technology.

Responsibilities

• Scoping and setting-up new matters and conducting fee earning work.
• Supervising and training teams.
• Maintaining knowledge of relevant areas of law.
• Working with legal technology tools.
• Assisting in preparing pitch documents for client presentations.

Skills

Supervising a legal team

Innovating legal services through technology

Corporate law knowledge

Proficient in M&A

Education

Qualified solicitor or barrister in England and Wales or Northern Ireland

Minimum of 3 years' PQE

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why many are incredibly longstanding. And we enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 100 years.

We are where you need us to be. We are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. Our international footprint is extensive and committed.

We are at our best tackling complexity and navigating change. We work alongside you on demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, ESG, infrastructure and resources. And we're focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world, including technology and digitalisation.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition - which is to help you achieve yours.

Your goals. Our ambition.

The Opportunity

The Role

Senior Solicitors are experienced qualified Solicitors, who supervise the work of our Solicitors, Trainees and Legal Analysts on a day-to-day basis. Senior Solicitors also play a proactive role supporting the senior team with strategic management and delivery of matters, as well as the development of our junior team. They are expected to be able to lead certain projects, escalating to Managers who will support as necessary.

Senior Solicitors are likely to have a particular area of specialism within Corporate, in which they are capable of delivering complex work, as well as being closely involved in developing processes and know-how for the wider team.

Primary Responsibilities

• Scoping and setting-up new matters and conducting fee earning work directly, as well as supervising and training teams.
• Supports with pricing at the outset of a matter and then assists in managing costs and billing throughout.
• Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of relevant areas of law, providing technical excellence in relation to one (or more) of the specialist areas of the corporate practice.
• Working with legal technology tools appropriate to the relevant matter (e.g. artificial intelligence tools for DD) and keeping up to date with technological advances.
• Assists with preparing pitch documents and likely to attend client presentations and assist more generally with business development.
• Liaising with clients and teams elsewhere in the firm as required on fee-earning or other projects.

The responsibilities outlined above cannot totally encompass or define all tasks that may be required of the post-holder. The outline of responsibilities given above may, therefore, vary from time to time without materially changing either the character or level of responsibility or grade.

Qualifications, skills & experience

Essential

• Qualified solicitor or barrister in England and Wales or Northern Ireland, but Republic of Ireland or other common law jurisdictions will be considered. (If not qualified in England and Wales then willing to complete process to requalify as such, if required.)
• A minimum of 3 years' PQE is required, with most experience ideally in Corporate, particularly M&A. Applicants who do not meet the 3-year PQE requirement but believe they have relevant exceptional circumstances can submit a supporting statement describing their qualifications, skills, and experience, such as substantial time spent on Corporate work during or before their training contract or qualification.
• Proven experience of supervising and supporting a legal team.
• Strong drive to innovate legal services through technology.

Competencies

• Personal Leadership
• Technical Capability
• Collaborates with others
• Plans and Delivers Outcomes
• Enhances the Client Experience
• Contributes to building the Firm

Closing Date for applications is Thursday 06 November 2025 at 5 pm

Team

Digital Legal Delivery

Working Pattern

Full time

Location

Belfast

Contract type

Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.