Overview

As a Principal (Senior) Associate, this is a great opportunity to play an integral role in growing the team, working alongside Partners to drive the practice forward. You will manage a mixed caseload of contentious and non-contentious employment work.

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates are encouraged to reach out directly. For inquiries or more details, feel free to contact us. Our recruitment team members are here to assist.

Responsibilities

• Key focus on working closely with a Partner, Senior Associate and Solicitor (and King's Counsel) on a significant equal pay/Industrial relations project (no advocacy required on this project as counsel is instructed).
• Advise clients on the full range of employment law issues, including redundancy, disciplinary matters, grievances, whistleblowing, and discrimination matters.
• Conduct of the defence of Employment Tribunal claims.
• Advise in relation to change and restructuring projects, changing terms and conditions and consultation requirements.
• Drafting articles and legal updates, training and networking as part of a structured business development initiative.

Qualifications

• 5+ years PQE
• Previous experience advising on employment law matters and managing your own caseload
• Experience handling equal pay claims is desirable but not essential
• Ideally previous experience mentoring junior fee-earners
• Good teamwork skills
• Attention to detail
• Strong technical knowledge
• Good communication skills
• Good time management and organisational skills
• Interest in business development
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise
• Ability to work to strict deadlines and targets
• Flexible approach

About the Practice & Benefits

Our market leading Employment, Pensions and Immigration practice area is seeking an experienced employment lawyer to join our HR Rely Team. We advise clients across the UK and internationally, including some of the UK's largest and best known employers. The candidate will be based at our Birmingham office, working within the HR Rely Team, which currently consists of two Partners, two Principal Associates, two Associates, three Solicitors and two Paralegals. Our HR Rely team is highly ranked in the Legal Directories and has ambitions to grow further.

Weightmans is a Top 40 law firm with offices throughout the UK. Having been recognised as the leading legal employer and 10th overall employer at the annual Britain’s Top Employers awards 2024 and achieved record rankings in Chambers UK. We believe in the power of people, innovation and partnership to provide strategic business insight and deep expertise to a range of private companies, public sector organisations and individuals. At the heart of our culture and organisation is a simple purpose that informs everything we think, say and do: See the Possibility. We believe thinking differently allows us to see the possibilities others don't.

Benefits

• 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rated for part time)
• Hybrid working including provision of home office equipment
• Healthcare cover/ Medicash
• Pension plan Life Insurance 4 x salary
• Interest free travel loan scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme including counselling, legal and consumer advice service
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounted dental scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Offers & discounts Great reward and recognition scheme
• There are a small number of roles that cannot be performed from home; your Recruitment Adviser can confirm.