Senior Associate

Birketts is an ambitious full service, top 100 UK law firm, operating in East Anglia, London and the surrounding areas.  With a rich heritage spanning over 150 years we’ve built an enviable track record advising businesses, institutions and individuals in the UK and internationally.

Throughout our history our ethos has remained simple: we provide clear legal advice and value and insight to our clients.

We believe that through this approach and a combination of technical excellence and high quality service we can develop long-lasting partnerships and become our clients' solicitor of choice.

Our vibrant, energetic Employment Team of lawyers boasts some of the best lawyers in the region specialising in all aspects of employment law facing a company's board or the HR professional - from everyday operational challenges through to advising on strategic issues. The team currently comprises over 30 specialist qualified employment law solicitors, including four partners, making us one of the largest employment teams in the East of England. We have the strength and depth of expertise to ensure we deliver the service you expect in respect of technical quality, practical approach and timeliness of advice.

We are proud to act for sector leading clients nationwide and some of the East of England’s most important businesses and institutions.

We are looking for an experienced employment lawyer who is ready to use their knowledge/expertise in a different way.   

Much of the work will consist of conducting investigations and producing reports, but you may also be required to assist employers on a broad range of employee relations issues.  This is an opportunity to join a rapidly developing specialism for Birketts, offering good career prospects for the right candidate. 

You will work independently, but will be part of a team that includes an experienced senior investigations and employee relations specialist.

Full participation in business development will be expected, and travel to other locations and offices will also be required. 

We offer flexibility around working hours, and are happy to consider full or part-time options for the right candidate.

• Reviewing and managing your team/employee competencies and training needs to enable them to perform their role effectively within the information security space;
• Ensuring that your team/ employees are aware of the relevance and importance of their activities and how they contribute to the achievement of information security objectives.
• Partner/Director/Managers have the authority to arrange training and awareness activities for the employees under their direction, within budget constraints and act to prevent an information security incident from occurring or escalating, where possible.

The ideal candidate will have an interest in employee relations, and a solid understanding of a range of key employment law areas, including disciplinary and grievance matters, discrimination and whistleblowing. They will bring to the role the experience and knowledge of having prepared and advised on employment tribunal cases.  

Candidates should be highly analytical, have very strong drafting skills, and should be able to work in a time sensitive environment.  They should have the people and communication skills to enable them to conduct effective interviews with individuals at all levels of seniority, often dealing with complex and emotive issues.  A high level of planning, organisation, and time management skills will be essential, along with a strong eye for detail.       

We are ideally seeking a solicitor of at least 6 years' PQE gained within a well-regarded city, regional or national firm.  As this role is a departure from the standard solicitor role, PQE is less important that finding an individual with the attributes and skills for the job. 

We are committed to recruiting individuals on merits of suitability for each role, on the basis of qualifications and experience. All applications are treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, disability, religious beliefs and any other protected characteristic, ensuring that there are equal opportunities at all stages of the recruitment process.