Employment Associate Solicitor

Absolute Law Recruitment; England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Career development

Job summary

Absolute Law Recruitment is seeking an experienced Employment Associate (5-8 PQE) in Reading with hybrid working options. The role offers high-visibility, strong partner exposure, and clear career progression within a leading law firm.

You will handle both contentious and non-contentious matters, advising employers and senior executives across a broad range of issues, and you will work closely with partners across the firm’s network.

Qualifications

• 5+ years PQE in employment law.
• Strong employer-side advisory and litigation experience.
• Experience handling senior executive matters.
• Proven track record in Employment Tribunal work.
• Excellent technical knowledge across contentious and non-contentious employment matters.
• Strong communication and client relationship skills.
• Commercial and pragmatic approach to legal advice.
• Experience or genuine interest in business development.
• Ability to work confidently with partners and take ownership of matters.

Responsibilities

• Advise employers and senior executives on a broad range of employment matters.
• Lead on capability and conduct issues, redundancies and TUPE matters.
• Represent clients in Employment Tribunal litigation and settlements.
• Support high-profile clients across the firm's network.
• Provide HR advisory support and strategic guidance to clients.

Skills

Employment law

Employer-side advisory

Litigation experience

Senior executive matters

Tribunal work

Client relationships

Business development

Ownership of matters

Education

Qualified solicitor or barrister or FILEX

Job description

Reading | Hybrid Working | Excellent Career Development Opportunity

Absolute Law Recruitment are working with a leading law firm who are looking to appoint an experienced Employment Associate (5-8 PQE) to join their highly regarded team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious employment lawyer looking for a role with high visibility, strong partner exposure and genuine opportunities for career progression. You will work closely with the partners and support clients across the firm's wider office network where required.

The Role

The successful candidate will have a strong background in both contentious and non-contentious employment law, with experience advising employers and senior executives across a broad range of matters, including:

• Capability and conduct issues


• Redundancies and restructures


• TUPE


• Whistleblowing


• Employment Tribunal litigation - both bringing and defending claims


• Settlement negotiations and agreements


• Trade union law and employee relations


• General employer and HR advisory work


• Senior executive employment matters

The team acts for a range of well-known employers, with particularly strong client bases within the technology and education sectors.

Experience advising independent schools would be highly desirable, particularly in relation to parent complaints and disputes, regulatory matters and SEND Tribunal issues.

Skills Required

We are keen to hear from employment lawyers who can demonstrate:

• 5+ years' PQE in employment law


• Strong employer-side advisory and litigation experience


• Experience handling senior executive matters


• A proven track record in Employment Tribunal work


• Excellent technical knowledge across contentious and non-contentious employment matters


• Strong communication and client relationship skills


• A commercial and pragmatic approach to legal advice


• Experience or a genuine interest in business development


• The ability to work confidently with partners and take ownership of matters


• Qualification as a solicitor, barrister or FILEX

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is more than a traditional fee-earning role. The successful candidate will have high visibility both within and outside the firm, with the opportunity to play an active role in business development, client relationships and supporting the partners.

It offers an excellent platform for an ambitious employment lawyer who wants to develop their profile, broaden their experience and take the next step in their career within a successful and growing team.

Location & Flexible Working

The firm operates a hybrid agile working model, allowing employees to work from home or another UK location for at least 50% of their time, with additional flexible working arrangements available by agreement.