Job Description

Closing date: 30/06/2025


PQE: NQ


Term: Permanent


Working hours: Full-time (9.15 - 5.15)


Department: Employment


Location: Guildford


The firm

DMH Stallard LLP is an award-winning law firm with offices in seven locations across the South-East (including central London), with a reputation for legal excellence and a commitment to helping clients achieve their objectives. Its Employment team is ranked in Band 1 in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, a current Partner in the Guildford team, Adam Williams, is individually ranked as a recommended lawyer.





The department

The team's enviable list of clients include large multi-national and national organisations, mid-market UK companies, and entrepreneurial businesses. The team also provides legal services to the UK entities of companies headquartered outside the UK, and has a fast growing practice supporting international businesses to establish and expand their presence in the UK.


This is a fantastic opportunity for a newly qualified solicitor who is enthusiastic and driven to take their career to the next level, with a passion for excellent client service and a commitment to practising and building their professional network and presence in Surrey and its surroundings.

Job Purpose:

We are looking for a newly qualified solicitor to join the Guildford Employment & Immigration Group to contribute to its further growth and success.


The successful candidate will undertake a variety of work, to include:


Tribunal case management; Contract and policy reviews; Settlement agreement advice; Corporate support (in relation to M&A and TUPE regulated transactions); Advice to owners/directors on their position; Restructure and redundancy advice; Advice in relation to TUPE; Immigration advice and support with applications (including sponsor licencing, work visas and right to work compliance) General advisory work.

While the majority of the workload will be supporting employer/respondents, there is a proportion of individual/claimant work. For a candidate with interest in the area, there is the possibility of also developing a working knowledge of certain aspects of immigration law which relate to the employment context.


While the focus of the role is the development of the Guildford team/office and our activity in the Surrey market, the Group's immigration team has a presence in London and the Group forms part of the Employment Department, members of which work collaboratively across the Firm's offices.


The successful candidate will be expected to achieve the targets (both financial and business development) as defined by the Group Head and Head of Department.

Responsibilities and Duties

Personal

To assist Partners, Associates and others in the Group working on specific matters. Some of the work will involve assisting Partners on bigger cases but the successful candidate may also be expected to run their own selected, usually lower value, cases under supervision. To participate and contribute to the Group to ensure an effective working environment. To attend the firm's internal training programme and other relevant technical training to ensure that skills and knowledge remain up-to-date. To attend and contribute to Group meetings to review current work, workloads as well as the Group's position and performance. To develop his/her own technical expertise. To maintain an awareness of the legal market, in particular relating to Employment law. To promote the vision and culture of the Firm. To participate in appraisal meetings, forwarding a copy to HR. To help to maintain a culture where individuals are encouraged to identify problems or mistakes and are encouraged to be open so as to ensure issues are identified and resolved.

Legal

To assist with a wide range of work types undertaken by the Employment team including those listed at 1.1 above. To be involved in projects to enhance the operation of the Group and wider Department. To work for our clients generally on a variety of matters as referred to above.

Financial

To be responsible for ensuring achievement of his/her own key financial targets, including fees, contribution and payment of debts and disbursements. To maintain accurate data on Case Manager and the intranet. To monitor his/her own performance in relation to the number of live files, file closures, file openings, billings, time recording and to take appropriate action to ensure targets are met wherever possible. To scope and price all matters appropriately, including the use of budget templates, so that work is delivered on time and on budget.

Client Care

To be responsible for the delivery of the service to the client, ensuring that the highest standards of client care are maintained so that clients use DMH Stallard again and recommend the firm to others.

Business Development

To assist with marketing and business development initiatives including seminars, articles and other thought-leadership activities. To represent the firm at network and referrer events in the Guildford and Surrey area, as appropriate, and to develop his/her own professional network and presence in the area accordingly

Risk

To be fully familiar with the Money Laundering and FSMA Policies and Procedures and to ensure full compliance with them. To conform to the risk management procedures as stated by the firm. To attend regular meetings with the Group to review all current work and workloads.


Other information

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

An interest in employment and business immigration work essential. A trainee seat or experience of employment law work of at least six months is essential. Commercially focussed, with an enthusiasm to expand knowledge of employment and business immigration. Excellent communication and client care skills, with the ability to provide clear and concise advice in plain English. A commercial, pragmatic and not overly academic approach. This is equally as important as technical ability. A desire to understand client goals and objectives and an ability to adapt to client priorities. A willingness to contribute to business development. The ability to work within a team and provide support to Partners, Associates and other members of the Group as appropriate. Confident Excel skills sufficient to enable the reviewing of relevant matters. Competent IT skills including Outlook, Word, Excel and Case Manager. The ability to draft documentation, with attention to detail. An understanding of the strategy and vision of the firm. The ability to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues and third parties in writing, over the telephone and in meetings. The ability to convey technical legal information in an effective and accessible way.

Benefits:

25 days holiday (of which 3.5 are taken during the Christmas period), plus Birthday holiday, plus Bank Holidays. Life Assurance Private Healthcare Employee Assistance Programme Sodexo Discounts Pension Scheme Interest free season ticket loans Cycle to work scheme * Discounts on Legal work