Careers

Join our great team of people who all play a fundamental part in the success and continued growth of our business.

Like many of our clients, we are ambitious and we have high aspirations for the future. Our vision is of a world where all viable businesses thrive and contribute to a healthy economy through access to excellent legal services that are delivered by firms whose people enjoy a true work-life balance.

Attracting the right talent to join our team and support our growth – and the growth of our clients – is a key part of our strategy.

Discover if Harper James could be your best move. Use the links below to jump to different sections on this page:

Please note that we are regrettably unable to offer work experience placements as most of our solicitors work remotely.



Jas Bhogal

“I’ve worked hard to get here, and I want to be successful, but my family is equally as important to me… That’s the difference at Harper James, there truly is a work life balance.”

 

Jas Bhogal
Corporate Partner
Jas Bhogal
Jas Bhogal
Corporate Partner
Mark Gudgeon

“Working at Harper James has profoundly changed my life for the better – I get to see my kids much more these days, and as committed to my work and clients as I am, working flexibly really does put important things into perspective.”

 

Mark Gudgeon
Senior Dispute Resolution Solicitor
Mark Gudgeon
Mark Gudgeon
Senior Dispute Resolution Solicitor

Pursuing your passion

Why join our business support team

We regularly offer legal support roles and business support opportunities in our Client Services, Finance, Operations, HR, Recruitment, IT, Marketing and Business Development teams.

While some positions are office based, others allow for remote working and they all offer great opportunities to evolve your career and grow professionally within a collaborative and supportive environment at a growing organisation that is leading innovation in the legal sector.

Katy Gosling

Joining Harper James changed all my ideas of how working at a city centre law firm would turn out to be. It’s provided me with stability and room to grow in an environment of mutual respect and support with a talented and lovely team.

 

Katy Gosling
Business and Technology Strategist
Katy Gosling
Katy Gosling
Business and Technology Strategist
Shrey Srivatsa

Over the last few years, I have been supported by the team to achieve my personal and professional goals. For anyone looking to challenge themselves and grow, I cannot recommend HJ enough.

 

Shrey Srivatsa
Senior Business Development Manager
Shrey Srivatsa
Shrey Srivatsa
Senior Business Development Manager

Our values

A unique law firm culture

We are very proud of our unique culture. This is lived through everyone in the business in how we work with each other and our clients each day. 

Our values at a glance

  1. We practise flexibility without judgement.
  2. Everyone feels trusted and supported in every aspect of their job. We can do this because everyone is responsible, productive and wants to succeed.
  3. We are relaxed and informal, but super organised. No power-dressing is required, neither is jargon. Say it like it is and do what you say you’ll do.
  4. No politics. People don’t feel like they have to get one over on their colleagues to succeed. If people around us succeed, so do we.
  5. We love to celebrate HJ and each other. There’s no room for big egos though!
  6. We recognise the hardest conversations are the ones we should always have. Handled with openness so we can focus on the solution.
  7. We make decisions with compassion, integrity and responsibility.

Protecting our culture and life at Harper James for everyone is a top priority for us and we do this by embedding and staying true to our values in all that we do.

Recognition of our culture and values

We have a vision of a world where all viable businesses thrive and contribute to a healthy economy through access to excellent legal services that are delivered by firms whose people enjoy a true work-life balance.

So, we were thrilled to win the Best SME Award at the 2024 WM People’s Top Employer Awards, an award given to SME enterprises that demonstrate a genuine dedication to work-life balance practices. The judges praised our approach to flexible working, which is deeply ingrained in our values and resonates within our team.

We are grateful to our people for playing  a part in redefining what it means to be a dynamic and forward-thinking law firm. Awards aside, meaningful action in all areas that make a difference to our people always comes first and keeping our culture and values alive and protected as we continue to grow is a key priority for us.

Our people

48:52
Male to female ratio
71
Talented lawyers
17
Years average PQE
44%
Average YoY growth for the last 3 years
8
Office Locations
Birmingham, Cardiff, Cambridge, London, Manchester, Oxford, Sheffield, Southampton
13
Practice Areas
48
Business and legal support staff

Discover the personal insights, experiences, and thoughts on the vibrant culture that defines our firm as shared by team members in our ‘life and culture’ video series.

We are committed to being a responsible and sustainable business that delivers positive impact for our employees, clients, profession, environment and the communities we live and work in. Harper James is a people oriented firm with a strong culture and values and we are determined to provide opportunities for everyone to succeed regardless of their race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

View a summary of the Harper James diversity profile 2023.


Benefits

More than just a job

While our lawyers and some other teams work remotely, we work very hard to ensure everyone feels part of a team so they can collaborate, share ideas and enjoy each other’s company. We want our people to feel that they are part of an ambitious organisation and that their contribution towards our growth is recognised individually and as a team.

We encourage and support everyone to meet with their teams regularly, whether on Teams and/or in person, and we all get together at least twice annually for firmwide parties in addition to sharing regular updates about everyone’s contributions and transparent updates about the performance of the business.

We offer career opportunities for all levels of experience to meet and evolve with individual needs, whether that means intellectually stimulating work for interesting and inspiring clients, building and leading a team or an opportunity to accelerate a career in a role supported by an experienced mentor.

Our remuneration structures, pension, holiday and healthcare packages are equivalent to much of UK top 100 firms. In addition to flexible hours, remote work, mentoring and progression opportunities, we offer the benefits listed below

Private health cover with Vitality and life assurance scheme

Private health cover with Vitality and life assurance scheme

 

 

Salary sacrifice pension plan

Salary sacrifice pension plan

 

 

25 days holiday plus bank holidays and the option to buy extra

25 days holiday plus bank holidays and the option to buy extra

 

 

Electric car scheme

Electric car scheme

 

 


Interested in joining our team?

For more information about any of our current vacancies or to register your interest in a career at Harper James, please contact Leah Horwood, our Head of Talent, on 07809 475202 or email a copy of your CV to leah.horwood@harperjames.co.uk.

Our process always starts with a confidential and informal chat.

Please note that we are regrettably unable to offer work experience placements as most of our solicitors work remotely.


Our offices

A national law firm

A national law firm

Our commercial lawyers are based in or close to major cities across the UK, providing expert legal advice to clients both locally and nationally.

We mainly work remotely, so we can work with you wherever you are. But we can arrange face-to-face meeting at our offices or a location of your choosing.

Head Office

Floor 5, Cavendish House, 39-41 Waterloo Street, Birmingham, B2 5PP
Regional Spaces

Capital Tower Business Centre, 3rd Floor, Capital Tower, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3AG
Stirling House, Cambridge Innovation Park, Denny End Road, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9QE
13th Floor, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, M1 4BT
10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP
Harwell Innovation Centre, 173 Curie Avenue, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QG
1st Floor, Dearing House, 1 Young St, Sheffield, S1 4UP
White Building Studios, 1-4 Cumberland Place, Southampton, SO15 2NP
A national law firm