Description
Job DescriptionEmployment Associate/Senior Associate
Salary: £50,000-£75,000 + Bonus
Location: Leeds
Experience: 4+ years PQE
Join a Leading Tier 2 Ranked Employment Team with Outstanding Career Progression
Are you an ambitious employment lawyer looking to join one of the North's leading employment practices? Our client, a highly regarded Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners Tier 2 ranked firm, is expanding their employment team across three thriving offices. This is your opportunity to work with an impressive client portfolio spanning SMEs to PLCs, whilst developing your career in a supportive, dynamic environment that genuinely invests in your progression.
About the Role
As an Employment Associate or Senior Associate, you'll be at the heart of a busy, high-quality practice advising predominantly private sector respondent clients across diverse sectors including retail, sport, manufacturing, financial services, industrial services and healthcare.
Your Responsibilities Will Include:Advisory Work: Providing strategic employment law advice on complex HR matters, workforce management, policies and procedures
Contentious Matters: Managing Employment Tribunal claims, defending unfair dismissal and discrimination cases, handling TUPE disputes
Corporate Support: Advising on employment aspects of corporate transactions, due diligence, and restructuring projects
Senior Executive Work: Acting for high-net-worth individuals in high-value employment disputes
Client Relationship Management: Building and maintaining strong client relationships with opportunities for business development
Team Collaboration: Working alongside a committed, energetic team on complex, high-value instructions
This role offers genuine variety, from day-to-day advisory work through to complex litigation and corporate support matters, ensuring continuous professional development and engagement.
About You
Essential Requirements:4-8 Years PQE in employment law gained at a leading national or regional law firm
Strong technical knowledge across both contentious and non-contentious employment matters
Experience managing a varied caseload independently with minimal supervision
Proven track record in supporting high-value and complex employment instructions
Corporate support experience (ideally including TUPE, due diligence, and restructuring)
Excellent client care skills with demonstrable relationship-building abilities
Strong commercial mindset with the ability to provide pragmatic, business-focused solutions
Genuine passion for business development and career progression
Experience advising senior executives on high-value disputes
Established client following or demonstrable business development success
Tribunal advocacy experience
Knowledge of employment aspects of corporate transactions
What's On Offer
Competitive Remuneration Package:Salary: £50,000-£75,000 (dependent on experience)
Annual performance-based bonus
Comprehensive pension scheme (group personal pension)
Private healthcare (grade dependent)
Hybrid working arrangements with flexibility
Generous annual leave with option to purchase additional days
Enhanced parental leave policies
Flexible working patterns to support work-life balance
Extensive learning and development opportunities via dedicated Learn platform
Coaching and mentorship from experienced partners and senior lawyers
Clear career progression pathways with genuine promotion opportunities
Support for professional qualifications and continuous development
Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support
Critical illness benefit
Season ticket loan
Cycle to Work scheme
Perks At Work/Home retail discount platform
Community Online Academy with free courses (fitness, coding, languages, and more)
Annual Gateley Team Spirit awards recognising excellence
Gold standard Law Society Diversity and Inclusion Charter
Stonewall Diversity Champions
Supportive, collaborative team environment
About Our Client
Our client is a forward-thinking legal and professional services group supporting over 5,700 active clients, from FTSE 100 companies to private individuals. Their employment team is recognised for delivering pragmatic solutions and commercial advice, working as an extension of clients' HR functions.
The team's approach is built on five core values. They pride themselves on fostering talent, providing genuine career development opportunities, and maintaining an inclusive, diverse workplace where everyone can thrive.
Location & Working Arrangements
This role is based in Leeds City Centre. Hybrid working available with flexible arrangements Office Environment: Modern, collaborative workspace with excellent facilities
How to Apply
If you're an ambitious employment lawyer with 4-8 years PQE looking for your next career move with a leading practice, we'd love to hear from you.
For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Lee Hawthorne-Finch Lee.Hawthorne-Finch@h-fts.com 0333 996 2882
Please submit your CV in confidence. All applications will be treated with the utmost discretion.
Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is committed to ethical recruitment practices. We value transparency, integrity, and building trusted partnerships. All candidate information is treated confidentially, and we never share your details without your explicit consent.
