Associate Employment Lawyer – 1‑3 years PQE
Location: Belfast (Hybrid)
Opportunity
We are looking for an employment lawyer to join our market‑leading Employment Practice in a newly established team in Belfast. The role works primarily with our London team and across the region and the globe, handling high quality, varied and interesting work including global projects and transactions, high‑profile domestic instructions, complex litigation and strategic HR advisory.
Responsibilities
Transactions
* Advising on diligence reviews and preparing diligence reports
* Advising on global business carve‑outs in advance of sales and post‑acquisition integrations
* Advising on TUPE applications and related consequences (e.g., protection against dismissal, changing terms and conditions, election of worker representatives and protective awards)
* Advising on TUPE information and consultation requirements
* Drafting and negotiating relevant provisions in core transactional documentation; advising on other associated transactional matters as required
* Advising on redundancy situations and requirements of individual and collective redundancy procedures
* Advising on domestic issues such as pooling and timely application of selection criteria
Multi‑jurisdictional Projects
* Working on global or multi‑jurisdictional projects such as restructuring exercises, global policy or contract reviews, pay equity reviews and other compliance projects
* Co‑ordinating and reviewing global advice to prepare centralised advice to clients
Litigation
* Working on Employment Tribunal claims, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing and equal pay claims
* Managing and conducting disclosure exercises
* Preparing ET3 forms, Grounds of Resistance and witness statements
* Advising on and negotiating settlements
* Advising on enforceability of restrictive covenants
Investigations
* Conducting fact‑finding investigations into employee allegations, including grievances and whistleblowing allegations
* Advising on investigation procedures including scoping
Data Subject Access Requests
* Advising on applicable search terms in response to data subject access requests
* Reviewing and redacting documents as required
* Some travel may be required
Skills and Experience
* Qualified as a solicitor in Northern Ireland and/or England and Wales
* Excellent academics coupled with evidence of good quality training and strong employment experience gained from a leading employment practice
* Good commercial mind‑set, a strong team player with the ability to build excellent relationships with clients
Core Competencies
Know‑how
* Demonstrates the ability to identify the real issue, anticipate requirements and potential consequences, and distil a range of possibilities by thinking in a considered, prudent manner
* Has the capacity to take on new ideas, develop knowledge and think holistically about business and address media, analyst, employee and client audiences
* Able to move through a variety of tasks requiring different approaches, knowledge and expertise, with the agility of mind and capacity for analysis and synthesis
Dedication
* Driven by a strong personal sense of integrity and upholds exemplary quality standards
* Prepares thoroughly, takes responsibility, uses initiative and is self‑reliant to ensure work progresses to the fullest extent possible
* Hardworking and diligent with a keen understanding of client demands
* Demonstrates composure when dealing with difficult situations
Personal Impact
* Uses complex, coordinated influencing and negotiation strategies adapted to people, organisations and/or the situation
* Leverages direct reports to facilitate increased collaboration across the organisation
* Builds partnerships based on common agreements that acknowledge individual differences while creating new commonalities beyond root beliefs
* Creates a positive impression at all times; develops relationships through collaboration and reciprocity
* Negotiates to achieve mutually satisfactory outcomes; shows good judgement when to stand strong and when to compromise
* Invests in, nurtures and builds a network of productive relationships
Humanity
* Respectful to others, regardless of position, and earns others’ respect by being transparent
* Has care and concern for others and a genuine interest in others as people
* Treats delicate or confidential issues with discretion
Benefits
Comprehensive private health cover, income protection, life assurance and a full employee assistance plan. The benefits package is among the best in the business.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to promoting inclusion, diversity and equity for all and are confident we can provide a career that is as individual and exceptional as you are.
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