Full job descriptionLocation: Mayfair or Brighton
Salary: £65,000–£75,000 pa
Bonus: 10% terms apply
Job type: Permanent, full-time
PQE: Ideally 10+ years


The opportunity


Our client, an ambitious and growing law firm, is seeking a commercially minded Senior Criminal Defence Solicitor to help develop its privately funded criminal-defence practice.


This is a senior appointment for an experienced criminal lawyer who can manage complex cases independently, attract privately funded instructions and build a successful practice.


The successful candidate will initially join as a Senior Associate, although the precise title may be negotiable. Importantly, the role offers a genuine and clearly defined opportunity to progress to Legal Director within two years.


For an individual who makes a sustained contribution to the firm’s performance, growth and leadership, there may also be the opportunity to acquire shares in the firm after approximately four to five years, subject to performance, mutual agreement and the firm’s applicable ownership arrangements.


This opportunity will suit someone ready to take the next meaningful step in their career: an accomplished practitioner with genuine ambition, strong commercial instincts and evidence to support their achievements.


The role


As Senior Criminal Defence Solicitor, you will:


* Manage a varied criminal caseload independently, from everyday Magistrates’ Court matters to complex and serious criminal cases
* Provide strategic, practical and commercially aware advice to privately funded clients
* Develop and grow your own practice within the wider firm
* Generate new privately funded criminal-defence instructions
* Build lasting relationships with clients, referrers and professional networks
* Contribute to the commercial development and profile of the criminal-defence department
* Support the firm’s wider growth plans and leadership ambitions
* Maintain consistently high professional, ethical and client-care standards
* Demonstrate the leadership capability required to progress into a Legal Director position


About you


You will ideally have:


* At least 10 years’ post-qualification experience in criminal defence
* Substantial experience managing criminal matters independently
* Strong knowledge of Magistrates’ Court procedure and broader criminal litigation
* Experience handling complex, serious or high-value privately funded criminal cases
* A demonstrable client following, referral network or proven ability to generate privately funded work
* Evidence of business development and successful practice growth
* Strong advocacy, client-management and communication skills
* Sound commercial judgement and an understanding of the economics of legal practice
* The credibility and confidence to become a future leader within the firm
* A proactive, accountable and results-focused approach
* The ambition to make a long-term contribution and potentially develop an ownership stake in the firm


A strong client following is important, but our client is equally interested in how you have built relationships, generated work and converted opportunities into sustainable fee income.


Career progression and potential ownership are a key element to this role!


The successful candidate will be given a clearly defined route towards appointment as Legal Director within two years, subject to:


Beyond this, there will be opportunity to acquire shares in the firm after approximately four to five years. This is intended to create a meaningful long-term career path for someone who wants to help build the business, contribute at leadership level and potentially share in its future success.


Why consider this role?


* Senior-level autonomy over your caseload and practice
* The opportunity to grow a privately funded criminal-defence offering
* A competitive salary of up to £75,000
* A transparent performance-related bonus
* Choice of a Mayfair or Brighton office base
* A genuine and defined route into the firm’s senior leadership team
* The opportunity to progress to Legal Director within two years
* The potential to acquire shares in the firm after approximately four to five years


Apply


If you are an experienced Criminal Defence Solicitor with a proven ability to attract privately funded work—and the ambition to build a significant practice, move into senior leadership and potentially become a future shareholder—we would be pleased to hear from you.


Please apply with your CV and a brief summary of your current practice, including your experience of generating privately funded criminal work. All applications and initial conversations will be treated in strict confidence