Associate, Employment

Howard Kennedy LLP; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in London seeks an experienced Associate for their Employment team. The role involves advising clients on various UK employment law matters and collaborating with partners. Ideal candidates will have strong client focus, teamwork skills, and a proactive approach to business development. The firm offers a supportive environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Benefits

25 days annual holiday

Permanent Health Insurance

Life Assurance

Interest-free Season Ticket Loan

Pension Scheme

Staff Introductory Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in non-contentious, contentious, and advisory employment law.
• Ability to manage own matters and client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Advising on strategic, contentious, non-contentious UK employment law matters.
• Collaborating with colleagues in other disciplines for seamless client service.

Skills

Teamwork

Client Focus

Risk Management

Business Development

Job description

We have an excellent opportunity for an experienced Associate to join our Employment team, working closely and collaboratively with the Partners and other members of the team advising on strategic, contentious, non-contentious and advisory UK employment law matters.

You will have the opportunity to work closely with clients from a range of sectors, including retail, leisure, professional services, financial services, art and culture, and media & tech businesses, including those with international reach.

Role responsibilities

Acting for clients on strategic, contentious, non-contentious and advisory UK employment law matters including:

• Worker status and atypical workers' rights advice
• Disciplinary and grievance guidance
• Capability and employee ill-health absence management
• Pay, bonus, incentives and remuneration rights
• Securing employee business confidentiality and customer information protection, and enforcement of post-termination restrictions including fiduciary obligations
• Workforce rights management in redundancy and reorganisation programmes
• Cross-jurisdictional workforce projects implementation
• Discrimination and harassment rights
• Dismissal and employment termination
• Statutory rights and enforcement in Employment Tribunals and appeal courts, including bringing/defending claims
• Whistleblowing advice and claims
• High Court employment claims and enforcement, including injunctions
• Workplace investigations
• Advising on the employment aspects of M&A and commercial property deals
• Managing employment-related transactional work, including due diligence, drafting employment provisions, calculating liabilities, and advising on benefits, incentives and bonus arrangements
• Negotiating senior level exits/retentions
• Advising financial services clients on remuneration packages, SMCR, conduct rule breaches, fitness and propriety findings, and regulatory references
• Drafting and advising on enforcement of post-termination restrictions, warranties, and indemnities
• Board-level rights and directors' duties, including director and shareholder disputes
• Employment contract, service agreement, and policy preparation
• Partnership/LLP advice and claims

The role will also encompass:

• Collaborating with colleagues in other disciplines such as corporate, tax, dispute resolution, reputation management, business crime, regulatory, and immigration to provide seamless client service
• Actively enhancing personal knowledge and expertise in employment law and contributing to team and firm training
• Supporting marketing and business development initiatives

About you

You will demonstrate:

• Experience in non-contentious, contentious, and advisory employment law
• Ability to manage your own matters and client relationships with supervision and support from Partners and Legal Directors
• Experience advising clients at all seniority levels confidently and clearly
• Capability to manage client expectations effectively
• Teamwork skills and the ability to work collaboratively
• Strong client focus and relationship-building skills
• Enthusiasm for business development and profile-raising activities
• Risk management awareness and regulatory compliance
• Collaborative approach and mentoring abilities

Please note that we are not accepting applications via agencies for this role at this time. All CV submissions from agencies require prior approval from our recruitment team. Unapproved submissions will not be considered, and no agency fee will be paid.

• 25 days annual holiday
• Permanent Health Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Interest-free Season Ticket Loan
• Pension Scheme
• Staff Introductory Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

About us

With nearly 200 lawyers in one location, we ensure our clients have the right team to help them achieve their goals. We advise major corporates, institutions, and entrepreneurial enterprises, often privately owned or private equity-backed. Alongside our strong business law capabilities, we offer a significant private wealth practice. Our straightforward approach offers a compelling alternative to larger, less personal firms.

Whether you're an ambitious individual eager to start strong or an experienced professional seeking new opportunities, Howard Kennedy provides a platform to thrive.

Our reputation is built on our talented people delivering outstanding results. Our firm fosters a culture of creativity and entrepreneurialism, emphasizing fairness, respect, and equal value among colleagues. We celebrate diversity and support personal and professional growth through various initiatives, including pro bono, charity projects, and social events.