Employment Solicitor (1–4 years PQE)
Specialism: Employment Law – Retained Clients with Corporate Transaction Advisory
Location: Cardiff
Salary: up to £50,000 plus benefits
Type: Permanent
About the Firm
We are a prestigious law firm celebrated for its expertise in the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) arena, known for delivering exceptional employment law services to a distinguished portfolio of retained clients. As specialists in advising sophisticated business entities, our firm also plays a pivotal role in supporting corporate transactions, with an emphasis on the employment aspects of deals. We currently seek a proactive and commercially minded Employment Solicitor with 1–4 years post-qualification experience to join our dedicated team.
The Opportunity
In this role you will primarily manage a robust caseload of employment law retained clients, offering comprehensive advice on HR and employment matters. In addition, you will contribute to the corporate deal team by providing specialised insights on employment issues that arise in the context of business transactions. This dual responsibility ensures that you develop a deep expertise in everyday employment matters while also interacting with the high-stakes environment of corporate integrations when required.
Key Responsibilities
Retained Client Management:
* Provide day-to-day legal advice and strategic guidance on employment issues to a curated portfolio of commercial clients engaged with the business on a retained basis.
* Draft, review, and negotiate employment contracts, staff handbooks, policy implementation, settlement agreements, and HR policies tailored to clients’ business needs.
* Advise on a broad spectrum of employment issues including TUPE, redundancies, restructuring, disciplinary procedures, and (not essential) employment tribunal claims.
Corporate Transaction Advisory:
* Advise on the employment implications of corporate deals, specifically in areas such as pre-completion due diligence and post-completion integration processes.
* Collaborate with corporate teams to ensure that employment risks are effectively managed during mergers, acquisitions, and business restructurings.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution:
* If required, to handle employment tribunal proceedings and litigation matters from inception to resolution by preparing case documentation, managing expert evidence, and representing clients in hearings.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management:
* Keep clients informed of evolving employment legislation and case law to ensure their practices remain compliant and mitigate any associated risks.
Independent Practice:
Demonstrate the ability to operate autonomously, managing your caseload while proactively developing client relationships and maintaining high standards of service.
The Ideal Candidate
Our ideal candidate will be a dedicated legal practitioner with a passion for employment law and a keen interest in the nuances of corporate transaction support. You will have:
* 1–4 Years PQE: Substantial post-qualification experience focusing on employment law matters.
* Client-Centric Approach: A track record of managing retained client portfolios, offering strategic, tailored advice which meets both legal and commercial imperatives.
* Transactional Insight: Experience (or a strong interest) in advising on the employment facets of corporate transactions, particularly in the areas of due diligence and integration.
* Strong Drafting & Negotiation Skills: Expertise in preparing sophisticated employment contracts, settlement terms, and response strategies for disputes.
* Autonomy & Collaboration: The ability to work independently while also engaging effectively with wider corporate and transactional teams.
* Commercial Acumen: An insightful understanding of how employment law interacts with overall business strategy, adding value beyond routine HR support.
Why Join Us?
* Diverse Work Exposure: Work primarily on retained employment matters while enjoying the opportunity to contribute to high-profile corporate deals.
* Professional Growth: Access to a pathway for advancement in both employment and corporate transactional sectors, with the ability to grow your own team as the client base increases.
* Team Culture: Benefit from a collaborative environment where innovative legal thinking and commercial savvy are both highly valued.
* Competitive Remuneration: Enjoy a competitive salary package that recognises your expertise and contributions to the firm’s success.
How to Apply
If you are eager to blend your core expertise in employment law with the dynamic challenges of corporate deal advisory, we welcome your application. Please submit your CV along with a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and your interest in this hybrid role to ljacques@gsverde.law