Purpose of job
The role will include working with Associates, Senior Associates and Partners in a variety of sectors in which we work including education, health, energy, construction, transport and private client/agriculture. Particular areas of expertise include:
1. Transactional corporate support work
2. Wrongful and unfair dismissal
3. Redundancy and restructuring
4. Transfer of Undertakings
5. Restrictive covenants
6. Boardroom disputes and severance claims
7. Employment litigation in the high court, county court and employment tribunal
8. Discrimination (including sex, race, disability and age) and equal pay
9. General employment issues ranging from maternity rights to general contractual issues
10. Service agreements, contracts of employment and staff handbooks
11. Employment policies ranging from performance, sickness and misconduct procedures to maternity and parental leave schemes.
You will take accountability to work with our clients, advising and supporting on your own case loads with regular support from the team around you.
The candidate
To join our Employment team we are seeking a candidate who is a solicitor with ideally 4+ year’s employment law experience gained within a well-regarded city, regional or national firm.
The successful candidate will have an excellent knowledge of the law yet be able to think commercially and analytically so as to provide accurate and practical advice to company clients and high net worth individuals which is tailored to their needs, with an ability to think clearly under pressure and write concisely. You will also be expected to play an active role in marketing and practice development as well as providing a high level of service to existing clients.
Birketts has designed a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. Promotion is based on assessment of your performance, competency and achievements. Our Talent Management Framework will see you joining as an Associate at 4+ years PQE, with the opportunity to be promoted at 6+ years PQE to Senior Associate and Legal Director / Partner over 10 years PQE.
This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated self-starter to join a successful and friendly team in our Ipswich office in a growing firm which enjoys an excellent reputation.
Skills
12. 4 years+ PQE gained within a strong regional, national or City firm.
13. Strong academic background.
14. A high attention to detail to produce work/ documentation which is consistently of a high standard.
15. To have a flexible approach to work to ensure client deadlines are always met and clients are communicated with on a consistent and regular basis.
16. Interest in and aptitude for business development.
The information provided in relation to PQE is provided for guidance only and will not be determinative in the recruitment decision. Any applicant with more or less PQE than that mentioned in the vacancy details will be considered on their individual merits. However, the team is keen to recruit someone who will initially undertake work referred down from the Partners and Senior Associates and provide clients with good value services.
Equal opportunities
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.
Benefits
One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we’re appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:
17. 25 days holiday (FTE), increasing to 30 days from Senior Associate plus Bank Holidays
18. Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
19. Private Healthcare - BUPA (after 6 month's probation)
20. Scottish Widows Pension Scheme
21. Staff Profit Share / Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
22. Paid CSR day
23. Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
24. Subsidised gym membership (Gym Flex)
25. Electric Car scheme
26. Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
27. Agile Working Policy
28. Dress for your Day Policy