Solicitor – Marine (NQ – 3Yrs PQE)

Lester Aldridge; Southampton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits package

Generous holiday allowance

Pension scheme and life assurance

Ongoing training and career development opportunities

Job summary

A law firm in Southampton is seeking a talented Solicitor with 0-3 PQE to join their Marine team. This role involves managing a diverse caseload of marine matters, advising clients, and contributing to business development. Candidates should have experience in marine finance or disputes, excellent communication skills, and be a strong team player. Competitive salary, benefits, and a focus on ongoing training are offered in a supportive working environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor (NQ–3 PQE) with experience in marine finance or disputes.
• Strong technical and drafting skills with attention to detail.
• Commercial awareness and practical, solutions-focused approach.
• Excellent communication and client advisory abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of marine transactional and contentious matters.
• Advise clients on marine finance and disputes issues.
• Draft legal documentation, including transactional documents.
• Support vessel sale and purchase, financing, charter arrangements, and disputes.
• Conduct legal research and develop practical solutions.
• Support business development and cross-referrals.
• Build relationships with colleagues and clients.
• Keep up to date with marine law developments.
• Ensure compliance with firm and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Marine finance

Marine disputes

Drafting legal documentation

Communication skills

IT skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Communication skills

IT skills

Team player

Business development

Travel flexibility

Education

Qualified solicitor

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Solicitor (0-3 PQE) – Marine Law – Southampton

We’re looking for a talented and commercially minded Solicitor (NQ–3 PQE) to join our Marine team. This is an exciting opportunity to work on a broad mix of high-quality marine matters, including both transactional work and complex disputes, often with an international element.

About the Role

As part of our Marine team, you’ll work on a diverse caseload covering vessel transactions, financing arrangements, and contentious matters such as Admiralty Court claims and arbitration. You’ll have the opportunity to take ownership of your work, advise clients directly, and contribute to business development, while continuing to build your expertise in a specialist and dynamic area of law.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Managing and developing a varied caseload of marine transactional and contentious matters.
• Advising clients in person and in writing on marine finance and disputes issues.
• Drafting legal documentation, including transactional documents and dispute-related materials.
• Supporting matters involving vessel sale and purchase, financing, charter arrangements, and disputes.
• Conducting legal research and developing practical, commercially focused solutions.
• Responding to new client enquiries and supporting cross-referral opportunities within the firm.
• Contributing to business development and marketing initiatives.
• Building strong relationships with colleagues and clients.
• Keeping up to date with developments in marine law and industry practice.
• Ensuring compliance with firm-wide and regulatory requirements.

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified Solicitor (NQ–3 PQE) with experience in marine finance, marine disputes, or a related field.
• Strong technical and drafting skills, with attention to detail.
• Commercial awareness and a practical, solutions-focused approach.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to advise clients clearly.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive and collaborative team player.
• Interest in business development and building client relationships.
• Flexibility to support international work, including occasional travel if required.
• Strong IT skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays.
• Pension scheme and life assurance.
• Access to flexible benefits.
• Exposure to high-quality, international marine work.
• Ongoing training and career development opportunities.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.

If you’re looking to build your career in marine law with a mix of transactional and contentious work, we’d love to hear from you.