As a dynamic and ambitious law firm, we are always looking to enhance our capabilities by welcoming talented and driven people to join our team.
We offer a collegiate, vibrant and supportive environment, a clear path for career progression and a strong platform from which to learn and grow. We look for high-performing, committed and creative people who aren’t afraid to push themselves to be the best they can be. We take an active role in helping our people be at the top of their game.
We believe our people make us stand out and we empower them to meet their ambitions. We invest time in developing their skills and knowledge and run a number of development and training programmes throughout the year as well as encouraging and supporting personal involvement in other areas of expertise.
We offer a range of benefits, including:
Whether you are a qualified lawyer, a business services professional or a student or graduate aspiring to work at an exciting and growing law firm, you can find more information below on life at Harbottle & Lewis and vacancy opportunities relevant to you.
Our lawyers operate at the top of their disciplines, and are passionate about the job they do and the clients they work with.
There is an expectation that they will be highly skilled, driven and committed. In return we provide them with interesting, challenging work and a real opportunity to succeed. Our lawyers have the opportunity to work on some of the most interesting and high profile deals and cases in in a wide range of sectors. Our strong industry connections add value that other law firms cannot match.
We look for people who share our clients’ entrepreneurial values. Every lawyer at the firm takes the time to understand our clients and their businesses to ensure the advice we provide is effective and business ready. As a result, we enjoy a culture of long-standing client relationships, built on trust and anchored in the quality of our service.
If you choose to work with us you can expect a truly supportive and collaborative environment, where you will develop and hone your skills by playing a real part in client relationships and business development. In order to succeed here you need to be innovative, energetic and ambitious. In return you will be surrounded by supportive and hard-working individuals who genuinely love their work and are committed to your success.
If you’re interested in our current vacancies, or would like to submit a speculative application, you can register your details and find out more here.
We work with a number of preferred supplier agencies (PSL) to assist with lawyer recruitment. All applications submitted via agencies are subject to our terms and conditions (T&Cs) and we are unable to accept applications from agencies that have not agreed terms of introduction with us. If you wish to receive a copy of our T&Cs and information on how to be considered for our PSL, please contact lauren.banks@harbottle.com.
“The strength of the firm’s brand means that Harbottle & Lewis has always been on my radar.”
Yvonne Gallagher
Partner
I joined the employment team at Harbottle & Lewis as a partner in 2015. It was a big move for me as I had been at my previous firm since shortly after I qualified. When I told colleagues that I was going to Harbottle & Lewis, it was very interesting to see that people congratulated me and told me it was ‘a fantastic move’. Some even told me how envious they were. This is testament to the firm’s reputation in the legal sector.
The strength of the firm’s brand means that Harbottle & Lewis has always been on my radar – I think I actually applied for a training contract here when I was at law school. The firm has a reputation for being a great place to work and this has proved to be well deserved. The atmosphere is friendly and genuinely collegiate and that perception played a big part in my decision to join the firm. I think Harbottle & Lewis is one of very few firms which has managed to hold onto its brand and culture through a period of great change in the London legal market. It’s a culture which is by no means the norm in law firms any longer and one which really sets us apart.
In my role here I cover a broad spectrum of employment law including litigation, advisory, corporate transactional and immigration and partnership work. I have always wanted to keep that variety. The breadth of the client base, the quality of Harbottle & Lewis’ employment practice, and the quality of all other teams in the firm, has made this possible.
“It is a culture that gives its lawyers the freedom to initiate and innovate.”
Charlie Leveque
Co-managing partner
I joined the corporate and commercial team at Harbottle & Lewis as an associate, having trained and spent three years post-qualification at a large City firm. I am now a partner in the same team.
Harbottle & Lewis has proven to be exactly what I was looking for. A lot of the attraction of working here is the size; you feel part of a firm that is big enough to carry out, and has the resources to challenge for, the best work for fantastic clients whilst at the same time being small enough to allow you to put a name to just about everyone’s face within a couple of months of joining.
One of the things I recognised very early on is that there is a very real sense of family at the firm, and people who work here value and appreciate that. It is a theme that runs through everything we do; in a work context colleagues are approachable and supportive, whilst subsidised social events and sports teams provide ample opportunity to get to know your colleagues outside the office.
There is a clearly identified sense of tradition and a forward-looking culture. It is a culture that gives its lawyers the freedom to initiate and innovate. This actively encourages lawyers of all levels of qualification to develop the firm’s business (and this is a more realistic prospect, even for junior lawyers, than it would be in some larger firms with a different client base).
Our business services team plays a fundamental part in the firm’s strategy, managing and helping to deliver the success of our firm.
The strong cooperation between our business services professionals and our lawyers means we are able to collaboratively and effectively deliver a high quality service to our clients.
If you choose to work at Harbottle & Lewis you can expect a truly supportive and collaborative environment, where you will develop and hone your skills by playing a real part in the success of the firm. In order to succeed here you need to be innovative, energetic and ambitious. In return you will be surrounded by supportive and hard-working individuals who genuinely love their work and are committed to your success.
Our business services function is made up of the following teams:
If you’re interested in our current vacancies, or would like to submit a speculative application, you can register your details and find out more here.
We continuously seek talented, inquisitive and entrepreneurial people who are passionate about pursuing a career in law.
Starting your career with us will give you exposure to a variety of work from across the wide range of practice areas and sectors in which we specialise. We are seeking talented, inquisitive and entrepreneurial people who are passionate about pursuing a career in law. We provide an environment that’s challenging and stimulating, as well as collaborative and supportive, equipping you with the skills you need to launch your legal career.
During your two-year training contract with us, you’ll be given the opportunity to thrive in several of our departments, spending six months in four different seats. You will be supported by a training principal and trainee supervisor throughout your training contact, as well as being matched with a ‘buddy’ who will offer you advice and guidance whenever you need it.
If you are interested in finding out more about applying for a training contract or what it’s like to work at Harbottle & Lewis, check out our Grad Hub.