Working at Stephen Rimmer LLP

A place to build a career, not just do a job

We take our work seriously, and always have. But we’ve never lost sight of the fact that law is ultimately about people. The clients we support and the colleagues we work alongside every day.

Across our offices in Eastbourne, Hastings and Bexhill-on-Sea, you’ll find teams who genuinely know and support each other. People share knowledge openly, celebrate success together and take real pride in the work they do. Many of our lawyers have built their entire careers here, which says a great deal about the kind of firm we are.

Who thrives here

The people who thrive at Stephen Rimmer tend to share three things. Professional curiosity, a collaborative mindset and a genuine commitment to clients.

We are large enough to offer high-quality, varied legal work across multiple practice areas, yet close-knit enough that individuals make a real difference. Your contribution will be recognised and valued, whether you join us as a trainee, a newly qualified lawyer or an experienced practitioner.

If you enjoy solving problems, take pride in delivering excellent service and want to grow in a supportive environment, you’ll feel at home here.

How we work and what we stand for

Our values of respect, openness, teamwork and innovation are not just words. They shape how we work every day.

Respect means every colleague is encouraged to contribute. From trainees to partners, people are supported to ask questions, share ideas and have their voices heard.

Openness means clear, honest communication. Doors are open, people are approachable and knowledge flows freely across teams.

Teamwork sits at the heart of how we deliver for clients. Many matters bring together colleagues from different departments because we know the best results come from working together, not in isolation.

Innovation is about always looking for better ways to do things. Whether that is investing in new technology, improving how we work or encouraging fresh thinking across the firm, we are always moving forward.

Growing your career

Career development at Stephen Rimmer combines structure with real experience.

You will have regular reviews and clear progression pathways, but growth here is also shaped by responsibility, mentoring and learning by doing. From an early stage, trainees and junior lawyers work closely with experienced colleagues who are invested in their development.

That means getting involved in client meetings, contributing to strategy, building relationships across teams and developing both technical and commercial skills. You will not be on the sidelines.

Many of our senior lawyers and partners trained or built their careers with us. That reflects our long-term commitment to developing talent and helping people grow.

Diversity and inclusion

Fifty-nine percent of our senior lawyers are women, placing us well above the industry average. This reflects the kind of firm we have built over many years.

Flexible working, supportive leadership and a culture where progression is based on ability and contribution all play a role. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our work and the service we provide to clients, and we are proud of that.

Why people stay

People stay at Stephen Rimmer for the people, the opportunities and the sense of stability.

Many colleagues join and build long-term careers here. We offer something that is increasingly rare in the legal sector. High-quality work, a supportive environment and genuine opportunities to progress.

Over time, strong professional relationships and a shared sense of purpose create something more than just a workplace. For many, it becomes a professional home.

We have been serving communities across East Sussex for more than 45 years, and there is real pride in continuing that legacy.

Flexibility and work-life balance

We understand that life does not always fit neatly into a traditional working pattern.

Around a third of our colleagues work flexible or non-standard hours, and we actively support this. Whether that means part-time roles, adjusted schedules or working around family commitments, we work with individuals to find the right balance.

It is built on trust, communication and teamwork, ensuring that client service remains consistent while people can manage their wider responsibilities.

The atmosphere and how we celebrate

Although we are one of the larger firms in East Sussex, we have a warm and approachable culture. People know each other well, and there is always someone willing to help.

We celebrate success in a way that reflects who we are. That might be recognising a team achievement, marking a qualification or promotion, or simply acknowledging the effort behind a complex matter.

We also make time to come together through social events, charity work and informal gatherings. Success is shared, and that matters to us.

Beyond your day-to-day role

There is more to working at Stephen Rimmer than the work itself.

We are actively involved in community and charitable initiatives, with opportunities to take part in fundraising and local projects. Many colleagues also contribute to shaping the firm, whether through mentoring, improving processes or supporting new ideas.

If you want to do more than just your day-to-day role, you will find plenty of opportunities to get involved.

What we offer

We invest in our people to create a working environment that is supportive, rewarding and enjoyable.

We provide modern technology and resources to support your work, including access to leading legal platforms and dual-screen setups across all offices. Our workplaces are well-equipped, with kitchens offering complimentary refreshments.

Our health and wellbeing support includes a firm-wide Vitality Health policy with GP access, health checks and hospital cover. We also offer eye care support and a wide range of discounts through Vitality partners.

Work-life balance is supported through generous annual leave and flexible working arrangements.

We place strong emphasis on social connection, with regular events, a firm-wide newsletter and opportunities to stay engaged across all offices.

Financial and professional benefits include performance-related bonuses, pension contributions, support for professional training and qualifications, and access to financial wellbeing support.

Ready to join us

If you are looking for a firm where you can do meaningful work, grow your career and feel genuinely supported, we would love to hear from you.

View our current vacancies