Solicitor / Legal Director

Shakespeare Martineau is a Top 55 law firm that combines creativity, commerciality and clarity. We work with blue-chip companies, leading organisations, high street brands and individuals across the country.

As enterprising and original thinkers, we’re driven to create exceptional experiences for our clients and our people. We handle personal and business-critical issues and game-changing deals across many dynamic sectors. It’s stimulating and rewarding.

We’re hardworking and deeply ambitious about creating opportunities for our employees; to move forward and achieve our ambition together. We provide an environment in which you’re supported to reach your potential.

Our people have a blend of excellent technical and business skills with the talent to do things differently.

Here you’ll find top quality work, cutting edge training, high profile clients, and supportive colleagues. We think it could be time you joined us.

Our Corporate and Commercial group undertakes various corporate, commercial, tax, banking and employment work at all levels. Our specialist teams combine unsurpassed expertise with a sound understanding of the corporate landscape to provide exceptional solutions for every aspect of our clients’ corporate and business law requirements.

Our Employment team provides commercial, practical advice to employers and senior employees on all aspects of employment law. The team comprises a number of highly skilled litigators and is known for its successful handling of Employment Tribunal litigation, including large complex discrimination cases, and largely undertake our own advocacy in Tribunals. We also have experience of dealing with cases in the Employment Appeal Tribunal, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and European Court of Justice. Our specialist lawyers train and advise managers to handle staff effectively and to deal with disputes where and when they arise, including fighting court and tribunal cases where necessary. We have a strong, local, national and multinational corporate client base, particularly in industry sectors such as education, logistics, food and drink, retail, transport and manufacturing. The team also includes specialist advisors on business immigration and provide that support to many clients in most sectors.

The role:

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and driven individual to join our Employment team, part of the firm’s Corporate Commercial group. 

Based within our Leicester office, we are offering a great working environment and excellent quality work, as well as exposure to quality clients. 

Whether you are looking to qualify into Employment as a Newly Qualified Solicitor, or are an Associate or Legal Director seeking a new opportunity, this role can enable you to drive your own development and shape your own future.

You will play a key role providing high quality legal services to clients on all aspects of employment work, both contentious and non-contentious, for a variety of corporate/commercial clients.  This role would suit someone who enjoys client contact and works well under pressure; you will have exposure to hands-on work from day one. 

More senior fee earners will also assist in the supervision of more junior fee earners, delegating appropriate work to trainees and supporting on large complex matters

Your key duties will be:

• assisting on large complex deals with appropriate supervision, and also building up your own caseload of straightforward matters
• attending and conducting client meetings
• taking clients’ instructions
• giving clear advice in correspondence and in person
• maintaining good file management
• drafting documents, letters and contracts tailored to the client’s individual needs
• being a key team player in both the Leicester and wider cross-office Employment team
• taking a proactive approach to business development

If you have 4yrs’+ PQE, you can also expect to be:

• working with marketing strategies to attract new clients and developing relationships with current clients
• negotiating with clients and other professionals to secure agreed objectives
• acting on behalf of clients in disputes and representing them in court, as necessary
• instructing Counsel or specialist advocates to appear in court and Tribunal for the client in potentially complex disputes
• preparing papers for court and Tribunal

Skills and experience you will have:

• previous experience in employment law, preferably from within private practice (for Newly Qualified candidates, significant relevant experience gained during your training contract is essential)
• strong IT skills
• a high level of accuracy and attention to detail, with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• a willingness and enthusiasm to get involved in business development activities, ideally able to demonstrate a proven track record of success in this area

Key competencies you will need:

• motivation to take up a challenge at an exciting time
• to be personable and have experience of dealing with a broad range of clients
• excellent organisational and prioritising skills
• the ability to work in a busy team
• a high degree of initiative and the ability to cope in a demanding environment

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. Details of the checks can be found here.

Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.