Employment Solicitor Job in the UK: Navigate Your Path to Workplace Justice and Career Growth

Employment law shapes the modern workplace—it balances employer needs, protects employee rights, and influences business culture. When you choose an employment solicitor job in the UK, you become part adviser, part strategist, and part advocate. Whether you work in a law firm, in-house team, or public sector, every day brings meaningful cases and real impact.

At The Legists, we help legal professionals like you find employment solicitor roles that align with your passion and ambitions. This guide walks you through the employment solicitor career journey—from job expectations and essential skills to salary ranges and how to stand out. Let’s dive in.

What Does an Employment Solicitor Do?

Employment solicitors advise employers, employees, or both on workplace issues. You draft contracts, handle disputes, and guide clients through complex legal terrain. Each case impacts real people—your work influences company policies and employees’ livelihoods.

Daily Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate employment contracts, restrictive covenants, and settlement agreements

• Advise on disciplinary processes, grievances, performance management, and redundancy

• Represent clients in Employment Tribunals and ACAS conciliation

• Counsel on TUPE transfers, flexible working, family rights, and redundancy pay

• Handle discrimination, whistleblowing, wage claims, and working time disputes

• Provide strategic advice on HR policies, workforce restructuring, and workplace investigations

• Keep clients updated on employment law developments—like IR35, hybrid working norms, and AI-use in hiring

In every task, you’ll blend technical legal skill with practical, empathetic advice.

Why Choose an Employment Solicitor Job?

You Make a Tangible Impact

You’ll help individuals through challenging work experiences and support businesses in creating better workplaces. That contribution brings deep job satisfaction.

You Solve Real Problems

Whether advising on collective redundancies or navigating discrimination claims, your work directly affects people’s careers and wellbeing.

You Build Diverse Expertise

You’ll handle dispute resolution, policy creation, tribunal advocacy, and HR strategy. That variety keeps work stimulating and valuable.

You Shape Work Culture

Employment solicitors influence equality, diversity, and workplace practices—impacting legal frameworks and cultures for the better.

Essential Skills for Employment Solicitor Roles

Legal Expertise and Analytical Thought

Know employment law inside and out—draft compliant contracts, build tribunal cases, and interpret statute changes promptly.

Communication & Emotional Intelligence

You’ll deliver difficult news, negotiate sensitively, or mediate tough conversations. Clarity and empathy matter immensely.

Negotiation & Conflict Resolution

Many employment issues resolve outside court. Your negotiation and mediation skills directly affect client outcomes.

Commercial Awareness

Business rules matter too—whether advising on workforce restructuring or reducing legal exposure efficiently.

Time and Project Management

Expect conflicting deadlines—gdpr, tribunal dates, contract renewals, audits, and urgent HR queries. You’ll juggle them all methodically.

Resilience & Adaptability

Employment solicitors handle emotional topics under pressure. You need resilience, perspective, and calm under fire.

Types of Employment Solicitor Roles

Private Practice (Law Firms)

Here, you’ll advise a range of employers or employees—from SMEs and charities to multinational corporations. You may defend tribunal claims or draft bespoke contracts.

In-House Employment Solicitor

Become part of a company’s internal legal or HR team—advising consistently on contracts, restructures, investigations, and policy issues.

Consultancy or Boutique Advisor

Join a specialist employment consultancy or boutique practice. You’ll provide expert advice, lead training, and work on high-level cases.

Public Sector and NGOs

Government bodies, educational institutions, and NGOs need in-house legal support for employment matters—from unions and restructuring to safeguarding duty and case guidance.

How to Qualify as an Employment Solicitor

Solicitor Route (LLB → SQE → QWE)

• Look at law degree or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)

• Complete the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) or LPC

• Clock two years’ Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)—entry via law firms, local authorities, or in-house placements

• Register with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

Alternative Routes

You can qualify via the CILEX route or apprenticeship model—both valuable if you prefer practical learning and immediate workplace exposure.

Lateral Transition

HR leads, compliance managers, or barristers can also transition—especially with sector-specific training or ACAS certification.

Salary Expectations for Employment Solicitors

In-house roles may also offer bonuses, pension contributions, healthcare, remote work options, and CPD funding.

How to Stand Out in the Employment Solicitor Market

Customize Your CV & Cover Letter

Showcase tribunal work, policy achievements, training facilitation, or positive settlement results. Use metrics—e.g. “resolved 90% of cases pre-hearing.”

Demonstrate Sector Awareness

Highlight your understanding of IR35, AI hiring regulations, flexible work norms, or harassment frameworks. Recent legislation matters.

Build Your Legal Profile

Write articles, lead CPD workshops, or mentor junior staff. Professional profile signals commitment and expertise.

Network Strategically

Engage with HR law forums, ACAS webinars, employment bar events, LinkedIn discussions—these networks often lead to roles before they appear publicly.

Prepare with Precision

Practice tribunal scenarios, dispute negotiation, and policy drafting case studies. Show your legal logic, communication, and outcome focus.

Partner with The Legists

We specialise in employment law recruitment. Our insights into firm culture, in-house structures, and hiring trends help you match the right role—and win it.

Career Growth and Specialisation Paths

Specialise by Sector

You may focus on financial services, education, tech, or public sector employment law, building reputation as a sector authority.

Leadership Roles

You can progress into head of employment, lead panels, supervise junior lawyers, and influence internal policy development.

Consultancy, Policy or Judicial Roles

Many senior solicitors step into consultancy, tribunal judge positions, or employment policy governance roles in ACAS or Labour Policy bodies.

Career Flexibility

Your skills translate well into HR director, compliance leader, or business partner roles—many former employment solicitors pursue these paths.

How The Legists Supports Your Employment Law Journey

• Exclusive Role Access – We offer job opportunities across private, in-house, and public sectors

• CV & Interview Coaching – We help you present workplace impact and case expertise

• Market Insight – We advise on salary benchmarking, hiring trends, and employer expectations

• Long-Term Career Strategy – We guide your career—not just your next role

We’ve placed clients into top firms, benefiting companies, and advocated for workplace-expert candidates—just like you.

Final Thoughts

Employment solicitor roles offer rewarding, impact-rich work that shapes people’s lives and workplace norms. With strong legal skills, empathy, and the right strategic support, you’ll build a career that matters—to organisations and individuals alike.

At The Legists, we support your ambitions by aligning you to clients who value employment expertise. Whether you’re passionate about tribunals, policy, or in-house counsel work, we’ll help you find the perfect fit.