Job Description

NQ Solicitor - Environmental & Planning
About the Role
We are working with a leading commercial law firm in Northern Ireland to hire a Newly Qualified Solicitor to join its highly regarded Environmental & Planning team. This is an exceptional opportunity to develop your career within a top specialist practice, working on major projects across multiple sectors including infrastructure, energy, development, and manufacturing.
Why This Role Is Exceptional

• Join one of the largest and most specialised Environmental & Planning teams in the region, with a rapidly expanding presence in Belfast.
• Work across a full spectrum of environmental and planning matters - from regulatory compliance, planning applications and judicial review, to environmental impact assessments, licensing, enforcement, and litigation.
• Be involved in high-impact mandates advising on significant infrastructure, renewable energy, retail, and development projects.
• Gain experience in both contentious and non-contentious work, including planning appeals, environmental prosecutions, and advisory work.
• Receive outstanding training and mentorship from experienced partners and senior solicitors across environmental, planning, and public law disciplines.
• Excellent long-term career prospects: a clear path to becoming a specialist associate and, for those who excel, potential progression toward partnership.
• Competitive compensation: the firm is prepared to offer a salary above typical NQ market rates to secure an exceptional candidate.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with planning applications, environmental permitting, compliance matters, and due diligence.
• Support litigation and judicial review cases, including legal research, drafting, preparing bundles and assisting in strategy development.
• Contribute to environmental assessments, risk reviews, and advisory notes.
• Provide practical advice to clients on planning processes, environmental regulations, and policy considerations across multiple sectors.
• Work collaboratively with other internal teams such as Real Estate, Corporate, Infrastructure, and Litigation to provide integrated legal support.
• Engage with public bodies, environmental regulators, planning authorities, and key stakeholders.
• Support business development through drafting articles, attending events, and contributing to client proposals.

Person Specification

• Newly Qualified Solicitor (or approaching qualification).
• Strong academic record and excellent legal research, analytical and drafting skills.
• A genuine interest in environmental and planning law. Prior experience is welcome but not required - enthusiasm and willingness to specialise are key.
• Ability to interpret complex legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong communication skills and confidence interacting with clients, regulators, and colleagues.
• A proactive, organised and collaborative approach, with a commitment to developing specialist expertise.

What You'll Get

• Hands-on exposure to major environmental and planning work from day one.
• Outstanding training, mentorship and development opportunities within a specialist, industry-leading team.
• Involvement in high-profile, strategic projects across Northern Ireland and beyond.
• A highly competitive salary package that exceeds typical NQ market rates.
• A supportive, ambitious team environment with excellent long-term career prospects.

For further information on this job, or any other Legal job in Belfast or Northern Ireland, apply via the link or contact Ciaran Gallagher for a confidential chat today.
VANRATH acts as an agency and employment business for permanent recruitment and the supply of temporary workers.

Skills Required