Associate – Employment Law (Advisory & Litigation) | 4+ PQE | London | Major UK Firm
A leading UK law firm is seeking a mid-level Employment Lawyer (4+ PQE) to join its Employment team in London. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a highly regarded practice, advising on a mix of advisory and litigation employment matters for major domestic and international clients across a wide range of industries.
The role offers the chance to work on complex, high-profile cases, advising clients on cutting-edge legal issues while benefiting from a supportive team environment and clear career development opportunities.
The Opportunity
This position sits within one of the UK’s leading Employment teams, which provides top-tier advisory and contentious employment law services to FTSE 100 companies, financial institutions, and global corporations. The team has an excellent reputation in handling complex and high-stakes employment matters, with a particular focus on litigation and dispute resolution.
As an Associate, you will play an active role in advising clients on a broad range of employment law issues, including:
* Employment litigation (e.g., unfair dismissal, discrimination, and whistleblowing claims)
* Restrictive covenants and team moves
* Redundancy and restructuring
* TUPE matters
* Workplace investigations
* Employment-related disputes and claims management
This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing team, where you will be able to take on significant responsibility, work directly with partners, and have the opportunity to develop into a leading advisor in the field.
The Work
Advisory Work
You will be advising clients on a range of strategic employment matters, including:
* Employment contracts and policies
* Employee relations
* Settlement agreements and negotiation
* HR compliance and risk management
* Employment tribunals and regulatory investigations
* Workplace investigations and disciplinary matters
Litigation
On the contentious side, you will handle complex employment disputes involving:
* High-value unfair dismissal claims
* Discrimination and equal pay litigation
* Whistleblowing claims
* Restrictive covenants, non-competes, and breach of contract claims
* Mediation and settlement negotiations
You will also have the opportunity to represent clients in employment tribunals, high court proceedings, and appeals, handling cases from initial strategy and pleadings to trial preparation and advocacy.
Candidate Profile
The firm is looking for candidates with a strong background in employment law, ideally gained at a major UK or international law firm, with significant experience in both advisory and litigation work.
Requirements:
* 4+ years’ PQE in Employment Law
* Strong experience in both advisory and contentious employment matters
* Ability to handle high-profile litigation cases and advise on complex HR issues
* Solid grounding in employment law principles, with the ability to draft legal documents and advise on practical business solutions
* Excellent client-facing skills and the ability to build strong relationships with clients
* Highly organised, with the ability to manage a busy caseload effectively Desirable Experience:
* Experience advising clients across a range of sectors, including financial services, tech, and public sector
* Familiarity with employment tribunal advocacy and litigation strategy
* Experience advising on cross-border employment matters
Team & Firm
This top UK firm is known for its outstanding reputation in employment law, working with blue-chip clients across multiple industries. The London team is led by a group of highly experienced partners, with a focus on providing pragmatic, commercially driven advice in both advisory and contentious matters.
The team has a collaborative and supportive culture, where associates are given significant client exposure, as well as the chance to work on high-profile cases. You will benefit from partner-led mentorship and the opportunity to work alongside some of the best employment lawyers in the market.
Compensation & Benefits
* Competitive salary commensurate with experience
* Bonus based on performance and hours
* Hybrid working arrangement (minimum 3 days in the office)
* Premium benefits package (healthcare, pension, etc.)
* Clear career progression path and professional development support
Why This Role?
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Employment Lawyer looking to:
* Work on high-profile advisory and contentious cases for leading global clients
* Join a leading UK employment law team known for its expertise in employment litigation and advisory matters
* Benefit from market-leading pay and a dynamic work environment that offers significant client-facing responsibility