Associate (Solicitor)- Employment

Forbes Solicitors LLP; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Health care benefits

Profit share scheme

Staff development & progression

Job summary

Forbes Solicitors LLP invites applications for an Associate Solicitor in our Employment team at Gordon House Office. The role is full-time, 36.25 hours weekly, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, supporting a busy Employment caseload.

The position is based near Preston, with good access to major motorways, and offers the opportunity to advise on a diverse range of Employment matters within a leading firm.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor or CILEX with at least 3 years PQE.
• Experience within the Employment legal sector.
• Experience conducting advocacy/appearing in courts/tribunals.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of Employment matters.
• Attend/represent at Court/Tribunal hearings (Unfair dismissal, Discrimination, TUPE, Redundancy).
• Provide expert legal advice and strategic guidance to clients.
• Ensure accurate completion of legal tasks and documentation.
• Analyse legal matters, assess risks and determine case strategy.
• Negotiate, mediate or litigate to achieve client outcomes.
• Collaborate on complex cases with Senior Associates and Partners.
• Build relationships with clients and enhance the Firm’s profile.

Skills

3+ PQE

Employment law

Advocacy experience

Education

Qualified Solicitor or CILEX

Tools

Job description

Associate Solicitor- Employment

Location: Gordon House Office

Hours: Full-time, 36.25 hours per week

The Role

Forbes Solicitors LLP are seeking an Associate Solicitor to join our Employment team at our Gordon House Office. This role is full time, working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Based at Sceptre Way (PR5 6AW), this role offers excellent accessibility, positioned just a 10-minute drive from Junction 29/30 of the M6 and the M61/M65 interchange near the M60 network.

Walton Summit Centre is a well-established commercial hub, ideally situated for candidates commuting from Preston, Chorley, Leyland, Blackburn, and Greater Manchester. With quick links to major motorway routes, the site is perfect for those looking to avoid city centre congestion while still benefiting from strong regional connectivity.

This role will be supporting the Commercial Employment team and will have exposure to a varied caseload of Employment matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing a varied / complex case load of Employment matters.
• Attending/representing at Court / Tribunal hearings for a wide variety of hearings, including:
  • Unfair dismissal
  • Discrimination
  • TUPE
  • Redundancy
• Provision of expert legal advice and strategic guidance to clients.
• Accurate completion of legal tasks and documentation, within the Solicitor’s area of expertise.
• Analyse legal matters, assessing risks, and determining case strategies.
• Negotiating, mediating, or litigating to achieve optimal client outcomes.
• Collaborate on complex cases with Senior Associates and Partners.
• Building positive relationships with current/prospective clients and enhancing the Firm’s profile.

About You

We are looking for people that can demonstrate the following:

Essential:

• Be qualified Solicitor or CILEX with at least 3 years PQE.
• Previous experience of working within the Employment legal sector.
• Experience conducting their own advocacy/attending courts/tribunals.
• Proven experience of handling own caseload, working to and managing deadlines, alongside the capability to generate fees in accordance with agreed targets.
• Demonstrates good client care skills, providing professional and competent legal advice in accordance with SRA Code of Conduct.
• Aligns with the Firm’s values.

Desirable

• Previous experience with Business Development activities, with the ability to network with potential clients and introduce them to the Firm.

The Firm

Forbes Solicitors is a Legal 500 Top Tier and Chambers Leading Firm with offices across the North. We are proud Investors in People UK Employer of the Year: Silver (250+), committed to collaboration, growth, and delivering practical, results-driven legal services.

Benefits

• 33 days annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Annual leave purchase scheme (Subject to T&Cs).
• Enhanced family friendly policies and pay for Maternity, Paternity and Adoption.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Celebration and Volunteer leave.
• Ongoing professional development and progression opportunities.
• Profit share scheme.
• Additional long service awards.
• Subsidised tuck shops.
• Staff discount on Firm services.
• Health care benefits (Health Cash Back Plan and Mental Health Counselling Services).
• BUPA (Solicitor positions only, for self, not dependents).
• Retail and gym membership discounts.
• Recruitment and legal department referrals (Subject to T&Cs).
• Annual Events.

Forbes is an equal opportunities and disability-confident employer, accredited by Investors in People and ISO 9001 quality management systems. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment, service provision, and supplier engagement, and strive to maintain a workforce that reflects the local community.