Job Ad: Thorntons Law are recruiting a Senior Immigration Practitioner

Senior Immigration Practitioner

Edinburgh

At Thorntons Law, every moment matters. Join our Immigration Team and you’ll feel inspired. You’ll feel connected. You’ll feel like you belong. And it all begins from the moment you join us.

That’s because we’ve created a different kind of law firm. Here, you’ll build relationships with clients and colleagues that really last. You’ll help shape what happens now, and what comes next. And we’ll support and encourage you to be the best you can be.

This is what life at Thorntons is all about. And this is your moment to be part of it.

About the role

Help shape Scotland’s global future.

As global mobility and immigration needs continue to evolve, clients are looking for senior guidance they can trust to manage complex matters and strategic challenges. At Thorntons, our highly ranked Global Mobility & Immigration team is at the forefront—supporting individuals, families, and organisations from around the world to make Scotland their home and grow their businesses here.

In this role, you’ll be a key senior member of our specialist team, providing expert guidance on complex immigration and nationality matters, mentoring junior colleagues, and working directly with a diverse international client base. You’ll collaborate across the firm to deliver seamless, end-to-end support, helping clients navigate the full spectrum of UK immigration law—from high-value personal applications to sophisticated business and talent mobility strategies.

Led by Partner Jacqueline Moore, a Law Society of Scotland Accredited Specialist and recognised leader in the field, this is a fantastic opportunity to lead, influence, and shape practice areas within an ambitious, collaborative, and forward-thinking team that’s ranked highly in Chambers and The Legal 500.

It’s about:

• Supporting Global Clients – providing expert guidance individuals, families, and organisations across complex immigration and nationality matters.
• Delivering Excellence – Managing complex cases with precision, ensuring high-quality, client-focused outcomes.
• Specialist Expertise – Assisting in areas such as Appendix FM, Global Talent Visas, Innovator Founder Visas, and complex nationality cases.
• Collaboration & Impact – Sharing expertise across the team, and contributing to integrated support through our International Families and International Founders teams
• Growth & Opportunity – Building your expertise within a supportive environment that values innovation, learning, and professional development.
• Being part of a brilliant team – Joining a highly regarded group that values innovation, collaboration, and making a meaningful difference in clients’ lives

What you’ll need

We’re looking for:

• An experienced Immigration Practitioner with substantial experience in complex immigration matters.
• Extensive experience handling a wide range of visa and nationality applications, with meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• A collaborative, team-oriented approach, with experience mentoring and guiding junior colleagues.
• Excellent communication and drafting skills – with the ability to write clear, client-friendly advice.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a complex workload to tight deadlines.
• A commitment to exceptional client service and professional integrity.
• A strategic mindset with an interest in business development and building long-term client relationships

It’s essential that you have some experience in two or more of the following areas:

• Appendix FM cases involving complex financial or personal circumstances
• Global Talent Visas (all categories)
• Innovator Founder Visas
• Global Mobility for individuals and businesses
• Complex nationality cases
• Privately funded appeals before the FTT and UT
• International adoption and surrogacy
• International sportspersons

Why join Thorntons

At Thorntons, we value our people and invest in their success. Here you’ll have:

• The opportunity to be part of one of Scotland’s leading Immigration teams, highly ranked in Chambers and Legal 500.
• A clear path for career progression with tailored mentoring and development support.
• The chance to work with a diverse international client base on high-impact, meaningful matters.
• A friendly, collaborative workplace culture where your ideas are encouraged and valued.
• A varied and rewarding workload that makes a real difference in clients’ lives.

What we offer

We offer much more than just a competitive salary, and we’re committed to looking after our people in every way.  Here’s just some of the benefits available:

Benefits

• 39 Days Annual Leave (includes 5 fixed public holidays)
• Contributory Pension Scheme with salary exchange
• Private Medical Insurance
• Critical Illness Cover
• Income Protection Cover
• Group Life Assurance
• Exceptional maternity, paternity, partner and adoption leave packages
• Assisted Conception & IVF Leave
• Health care cash plan to support everyday health expenses
• 24-hour wellbeing support
• Free Legal fees for moving home and life planning
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Gym Discounts
• Retail Discounts

Professional development

Access to a wide range of opportunities to build your expertise and advance your career, through courses, specialist accreditations, training, or business skills development.

Belonging

At Thorntons, we embrace diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

As a Disability Confident employer, we want to ensure that everyone has a positive experience when applying to join us. If you have a disability or are neurodivergent and need any adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know — we’ll do everything we can to support you.

We work flexibly to meet the needs of our clients and our people. While not every role is the same, most offer a hybrid working pattern. We’ll work with you to agree the right arrangement that supports you, the role, and our clients.

Make the moment matter

If you’re looking for a career with a different kind of law firm, this is the moment to find out more – and apply.

Choosing the right company is about more than just the work—it’s about the people, the culture, and the opportunities to grow. At Thorntons Law, we’ve built something different. We’re one of Scotland’s largest and most respected full-service legal firms, but more importantly, we’re a firm that invests in you—your development, your ambitions, and your future.

All you need to do is apply by 9^th November and we’ll be in touch.