Consultant Employee Share Schemes Solicitor in Guildford

We are looking for an experienced Employee Share Schemes Solicitor with a minimum of 8 years PQE to join Harper James on a consultancy basis. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a growing and diverse client base ranging from innovative start‑ups to established national and international businesses. You will advise on a wide range of employee share schemes and equity incentive matters within a modern, tech‑enabled law firm. As a consultant within our flexible model, you will manage your own caseload while benefiting from the support, infrastructure and collaborative culture of a forward‑thinking national firm.

What you’ll be doing

• You will take the lead on a broad range of employee share scheme and equity incentive matters, supporting businesses with the design, implementation and ongoing management of their share plans.
• You will work closely with founders, senior leadership teams, HR teams and in‑house counsel, providing clear, pragmatic advice that supports business growth while ensuring schemes are structured effectively and compliantly.
• Your work is likely to include advising on matters such as:
• Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) share option schemes
• Company Share Option Plan (CSOP) and other HMRC‑approved share plans
• Unapproved share option schemes and growth share arrangements
• Design and implementation of equity incentive structures for start‑ups and scale‑ups
• Employee share schemes in the context of investment rounds and corporate transactions
• Drafting option agreements, plan rules and related documentation
• Advising on tax considerations relating to share schemes (working alongside tax specialists where required)
• Supporting founders and boards with equity structuring and incentive strategies
• Share scheme issues arising in corporate restructures, exits and acquisitions

As part of the wider Harper James legal team, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across Corporate and Employment, particularly where share schemes intersect with investment rounds, growth strategies and exit planning.

What we’re looking for

• Minimum 8 years’ PQE with strong experience in employee share schemes and equity incentives
• Demonstrable experience designing and implementing EMI schemes and other share option arrangements
• Experience advising founder‑led businesses, start‑ups and scale‑ups would be advantageous
• Ability to manage matters independently and deliver pragmatic, commercially focused advice
• Strong drafting skills and attention to detail
• Excellent client relationship and stakeholder management skills
• Confidence working with founders, leadership teams and in‑house legal functions

The Harper James difference

We are a tech‑driven, agile law firm where lawyers are empowered with modern legal technology to maximise efficiency, productivity and work‑life balance. Our consultant model offers experienced solicitors flexibility, autonomy and the ability to work remotely, while remaining part of a supportive national team. At Harper James, we keep things straightforward. We are relaxed and informal but well organised. There is no politics and no big egos — if people around us succeed, so do we. We welcome proactive, self‑motivated solicitors who thrive in a modern legal environment and are passionate about delivering exceptional client service.

You’ll excel as part of the HJ team if you:

• Are a quick learner, ready to adapt to new systems and technologies
• Are interested in using AI tools to improve efficiency and productivity
• Have a solid working knowledge of Microsoft 365 products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Can confidently navigate SharePoint to manage and collaborate on work
• Have a keen eye for detail when drafting documents, ensuring consistency and professionalism

The bottom line

This is an opportunity to play an important part in the continued growth of the business, working alongside a great team of people who all contribute to our shared success. No politics, no unnecessary bureaucracy, flexible working within a fully remote but collaborative team. We are offering a competitive consultancy rate with flexibility and autonomy as part of the Harper James consultant model.