Job Description

Senior Employment Solicitor (Consultant)

We are looking for an experienced Employment Solicitor with a minimum of 10 years’ PQE and strong contentious and non-contentious experience to join Harper James on a consultancy basis.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with a growing and diverse client base ranging from innovative start-ups to established national and international businesses.

You will advise on a wide range of employment law matters within a modern, tech-enabled law firm. As a consultant within our flexible model, you will manage your own caseload while benefiting from the support, infrastructure and collaborative culture of a forward-thinking national firm.

What you’ll be doing

You will take the lead on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, supporting businesses with day-to-day workforce issues, strategic projects and employment disputes.

You will work closely with founders, senior leadership teams, HR teams and in-house counsel, providing clear, pragmatic advice that helps clients manage risk and achieve their commercial objectives.

Your work is likely to include advising on matters such as general day-to-day employment law support to SMEs and larger companies;

• business restructures & redundancies (including collective);
• overseeing discrimination and whistle-blowing cases;
• advising on TUPE transfers, including corporate support;
• drafting consultancy agreements and advising on status (with a good knowledge of IR35);
• drafting and advising on director service agreements and contracts of employment;
• managing disciplinary and grievance processes; and
• handling senior exec severances.

As part of the wider Harper James legal team, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across Corporate, Commercial and other practice areas, particularly where employment issues intersect with transactions, business growth and organisational change.

What we’re looking for

• A minimum of 10 years’ PQE with strong experience across both contentious and non-contentious employment law
• Demonstrable experience advising employers on complex workforce issues and managing Employment Tribunal litigation
• Experience advising founder-led businesses, start-ups and scale-ups would be advantageous
• Ability to manage matters independently and deliver pragmatic, commercially focused advicel
• Excellent client relationship and stakeholder management skills

The Harper James difference

We are a tech-driven, agile law firm where lawyers are empowered with modern legal technology to maximise efficiency, productivity and work-life balance.

Our consultant model offers experienced solicitors flexibility, autonomy and the ability to work remotely, while remaining part of a supportive national team.

At Harper James, we keep things straightforward. We are relaxed and informal but well organised. There is no politics and no big egos — if people around us succeed, so do we. We welcome proactive, self-motivated solicitors who thrive in a modern legal environment and are passionate about delivering exceptional client service.

You’ll excel as part of the HJ team if you

• Are a quick learner, ready to adapt to new systems and technologies
• Are interested in using AI tools to improve efficiency and productivity
• Have a solid working knowledge of Microsoft 365 products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Can confidently navigate SharePoint to manage and collaborate on work
• Have a keen eye for detail when drafting documents, ensuring consistency and professionalism

The bottom line

This is an opportunity to play an important part in the continued growth of the business, working alongside a great team of people who all contribute to our shared success.

We are offering a competitive consultancy rate with flexibility and autonomy as part of the Harper James consultant model.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE