About the Role
Leading Mid-Sized Firm | Immigration Partner | ManchesterA rare opportunity to establish and lead the Manchester immigration practice of a well-regarded, full-service UK firm, advising businesses, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals on the full spectrum of corporate and private immigration matters.The Firm This is a long-established, mid-sized UK law firm with offices in London, the North West, and the South West, plus active international desks and a global client base. For over 75 years it has advised companies, financial institutions, governments, HNW individuals, families, and overseas investors. It is recognised by Legal 500 and known for being relationship-led, commercially pragmatic, and responsive.The culture combines ambition with approachability. The firm promotes from within, values cross-team collaboration, and has built a diverse, multilingual, and inclusive working environment. The Manchester office is already active across property, litigation, corporate, and private client work, providing a ready-made referral network and platform for an immigration practice.The Team The immigration team in London advises businesses across all sectors, from start-ups and SMEs to global enterprises and higher education institutions. The practice covers the full range of corporate immigration work, including sponsor licences, skilled worker visas, intra-company transfers, sole representative visas, visitor visas, and appeals and administrative review. The team also handles private immigration matters, often connected to the firm's wider private client and family work.The team is known for its commercial approach, recognising that immigration delays carry real financial and operational consequences for clients. It offers rapid response times, practical solutions, and personal attention. The team's multilingual capability is a distinct advantage, enabling it to serve a diverse international client base effectively.The Role You will establish and lead the immigration practice in Manchester. This is a strategic growth role, not a backfill. You will build your own client following while drawing on existing referral relationships from the firm's corporate/commercial, employment, and private client teams, all of which regularly encounter immigration needs among their clients.You will advise on the full spectrum of business immigration matters, with scope to develop private immigration work where it aligns with your expertise and the wider firm's capabilities. You will lead business development in the North West, recruit and develop a team over time, and work closely with the London immigration team on shared clients and cross-referrals. The Ideal CandidateExperienced immigration solicitor (England & Wales) with sufficient PQE and profile to step into a partnership role, or an established Partner seeking a platform with greater autonomy and growth potentialStrong technical grounding across corporate immigration, with experience advising businesses on sponsor licences, skilled worker visas, intra-company transfers, and complianceA portable practice or demonstrable ability to generate work and build a client following in the North West marketPrivate immigration experience is an advantage but not essential; what matters is a commercially focused, client-led approachAn entrepreneurial, business-minded leader, comfortable with networking, BD, and developing a teamMultilingual capability is welcome but not requiredWhat's on OfferThe opportunity to build and lead an immigration practice from a credible Manchester base, with full strategic backingImmediate access to warm referral networks from highly active corporate, employment, and private client teamsA firm that understands the commercial importance of immigration advice and invests in its growthA progressive, diverse, and inclusive culture with genuine international reachCompetitive remuneration and benefits, structured to reward growth and contributionApply now for a confidential conversation.