We’re a national law firm with a local reach. Our legal experts are here for you. Whether it’s personal or business, we understand that everyone’s situation is different. But we’re more than just a law firm – we’re a team of people working together to help individuals and businesses navigate life’s ups and downs. Working here you’ll feel a part of our friendly and inclusive environment.

We’ll value you for who you are and what you bring. We support each other and push boundaries to achieve incredible things and make a real difference to our clients and communities.

We're always looking to support our colleagues to work in a way that works best for them and everyone else, including our clients, the business and the regulators. Please speak to a member of our Recruitment and Onboarding team for more information.

We’re looking for an Associate Solicitor to join our established Public Law & Human Rights team in Southampton. This is a fantastic opportunity to work on complex and meaningful cases, supporting vulnerable individuals in areas including mental capacity and community care.

You’ll manage your own caseload while also supporting on more complex matters, delivering high-quality, client-focused advice in sensitive and often life-changing situations.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of Court of Protection and public law matters
• Advise on health and welfare issues under the Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Draft legal documents, including applications and supporting statements
• Advise on community care matters such as care needs assessments, care plans, and funding disputes (including NHS Continuing Healthcare) as well as discharge and transition planning
• Support with complaints and challenges to public bodies, including the Local Government Ombudsman
• Build strong client relationships and provide compassionate, tailored advice

•  6 years PQ +
• Experience in Public law, Court of Protection, or community care (desirable)
• Have background in acting for privately funded clients
• Good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Strong drafting, analytical, and organisational skills
• Empathetic and client-focused, with the ability to handle sensitive matters
• A proactive and collaborative approach

What We Offer

• High-quality, meaningful work with real impact
• A supportive and collaborative team environment
• Opportunities for development and progression
• Competitive salary and benefits package

• 25 days holidays as standard plus bank holidays - You can ‘buy’ up to 35hrs of extra holiday too.
• Generous and flexible pension schemes.
• Volunteering days – Two days of volunteering every year for a cause of your choice (fully paid)
• Westfield Health membership, offering refunds on medical services alongside our Aviva Digital GP services.

We also offer a wide range of well-being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace and to make sure you’re fully supported.  This includes our Flexible by Choice programme which gives our colleagues more choice over a hybrid way of working subject to role, team and client requirements.

We have been ranked in the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing for Large Organisations for 2024!

Our responsible business programmes are fundamental to who we are and our purpose. We’re committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where our colleagues can flourish, and we have established a number of inclusion network groups across our business to support this aim. 

Our commitment to Social Responsibility, community investment activity and tackling climate change is a fundamental part of who we are. It’s made up of four strands: Our People, Our Community, Our Environment and Our Pro Bono.

As part of the Irwin Mitchell Group’s on-boarding process all successful applicants are required to complete the group’s employment screening process. This process helps to ensure that all new employees meet our standards in relation to honesty and integrity therefore protecting the interests of the Group, colleagues, clients, partners and other stakeholders.

We carry out pre employment screening to establish your eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record and financial checks ­with our trusted 3rd parties.

The employment screening process will fully comply with Data Protection and other applicable laws.

Irwin Mitchell LLP is an equal opportunity employer.