Associate- Inquiries & Investigations

Yolk Recruitment Ltd; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Yolk Legal is recruiting an Inquiries & Investigations Associate in Birmingham. The role is for a solicitor with 1-3 years’ PQE, qualified in England & Wales, to work on sensitive investigations and public inquiries in a leading international law firm.

You will handle complex evidence, disclosure and witness work while developing expertise across strategic and detail‑oriented aspects of inquiries. You’ll support public sector clients, inquiries and independent investigations, contributing to

Qualifications

• Experience in public inquiries, investigations or a closely related area.
• Strong legal analysis and ability to absorb complex information quickly.
• Excellent attention to detail and sound professional judgement.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work to demanding deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Support a varied caseload involving public sector clients, inquiries and independent investigations.
• Assist with preparation and delivery of statutory and non-statutory inquiries.
• Support clients involved in major public inquiries and internal investigations.
• Assist with disclosure, document management and large document review exercises.
• Assist with witness preparation, interviews and statements and liaise with Counsel and clients.

Skills

Public inquiries experience

Investigations

Legal analysis

Attention to detail

Prioritisation

Client-facing work

Education

Qualified solicitor in England & Wales

Job description

Inquiries & Investigations Associate

Birmingham | 1-3 PQE | Specialist Investigations & Public Inquiry Work

£67,000+

Looking to build your career in a specialist area where the work is complex, high-profile and often nationally significant?

Yolk Legal is representing a leading international law firm that is looking to add an Inquiries & Investigations Associate with 1-3 years' PQE to its Birmingham team.

You’ll be working alongside experienced lawyers on sensitive investigations and public inquiry matters, with the opportunity to develop your expertise across evidence, disclosure, witness work and contentious issues.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll support a varied caseload involving public sector clients, inquiries and independent investigations. The role will give you exposure to both the strategic and detailed aspects of this work.

• Inquiry & Investigation
• Contributing to the preparation and delivery of statutory and non-statutory inquiries
• Supporting clients involved in major public inquiries
• Assisting with internal investigations and independent reviews
• Assessing evidence and helping develop factual and legal issues
• Supporting the team before and during inquiry hearings
• Evidence & Disclosure
• Working through large and complex document sets
• Assisting with disclosure and document management exercises
• Using specialist platforms to review, organise and analyse evidence
• Applying careful judgement when identifying information requiring redaction
• Helping ensure sensitive material is handled accurately and appropriately
• Witness & Client Work
• Assisting with witness preparation, interviews and statements
• Working closely with clients, Counsel and other professional advisers
• Helping clients navigate inquiry procedures and evidential requirements
• Supporting advice on areas including privilege, data protection, freedom of information, judicial review and reputation

The role will suit someone who enjoys variety and is comfortable combining detailed casework with collaborative, client-facing work.

Your Background

We’re looking for a solicitor who can demonstrate:

• 1-3 years' PQE
• Qualification as a solicitor in England & Wales
• Experience in public inquiries, investigations or a closely related area
• A background in private practice, government, regulatory or public sector work
• Experience of handling disclosure or substantial document review exercises
• Strong legal analysis and an ability to absorb complex information quickly
• Excellent attention to detail and sound professional judgement
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work to demanding deadlines
• Confidence working independently while contributing positively to a wider team
• A practical and commercially aware approach to client work

Due to the nature of the work, you must also be able to obtain the appropriate UK security clearance.

Why Consider It?

This is an opportunity to move into a specialist investigations and inquiries practice and work on matters that can attract significant public and regulatory attention.

You’ll develop experience across a broad range of work, including:

• High-profile public inquiries
• Independent investigations and reviews
• Large-scale evidence and disclosure projects
• Witness statements and preparation
• Inquiry hearings
• Public sector instructions
• Confidential and sensitive investigations

The wider firm also provides the opportunity to work alongside teams across different jurisdictions and practice areas.

Flexibility is important for this position, as assignments may involve travel and working from client locations depending on the requirements of each matter.

Ready for Something Different?

If you’re a 1-3 PQE solicitor with experience in investigations, inquiries, disclosure or related contentious/public sector work, this could be an opportunity to move into a genuinely specialist area of legal practice.

Yolk Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and embraces diversity in our workforce. We employ the best people for the job at hand and actively encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, educational background, parental status, gender identity or any other protected characteristic. We champion and celebrate diversity at Yolk, allowing our team to bring their whole selves to work.