Employment Law Partner

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme and financial planning

Private healthcare

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Modern UK offices

Firm-wide recognition & social events

Job summary

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is seeking an experienced Employment Partner/Director to lead and grow a national employment practice. The role focuses on strategic leadership, developing client relationships, and shaping the firm’s employment offering across UK offices.

The successful candidate will have a senior-level track record, a strong client following, and a proven ability to drive business development and revenue growth within a national platform.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with senior-level employment law experience.
• Senior-level partner/director level employment law experience required.
• Proven client following or established referral network.
• Demonstrated BD and revenue generation track record.
• Excellent leadership, communication and client management skills.
• Commercially astute with an entrepreneurial and collaborative mindset.
• Desirable: experience leading or scaling a team.
• Desirable: relationships with PLCs, SMEs, or senior execs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the employment practice across the national platform.
• Advise on contentious and non-contentious employment law.
• Build and grow your own client portfolio and referral network.
• Lead business development and strategic initiatives.
• Mentor junior lawyers within the team.
• Collaborate with colleagues across a full-service national platform.
• Support senior leadership in shaping the employment offering.

Skills

Qualified Solicitor (E&W)

Senior-level employment law experience

Client following / referral network

Full spectrum employment law

Business development & revenue

Leadership & client management

Entrepreneurial & collaborative

Team leadership / scaling

Relationships with PLCs/SMEs/executive

Job description

Employment Law Partner / Director

Fee-Share or Market-Leading Package | London or National Offices | Strategic Leadership Opportunity

Lead, Grow and Shape a High-Performing Employment Practice

This is a rare and compelling opportunity for an experienced Employment Partner or Director to join a highly regarded national law firm at a pivotal stage of growth. Our client offers a platform for ambitious senior lawyers to drive strategy, expand their practice, and influence the direction of a market-leading employment team.

If you have an established client following or strong referral network and are seeking greater autonomy, support, and long-term progression, this role provides an outstanding next step.

The Role

You will play a central role in leading and developing the employment practice, advising a broad client base while contributing to the firm’s wider strategic growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver expert advice across contentious and non-contentious employment law
• Advise on disciplinary, grievance, dismissal, discrimination, TUPE, redundancy and restructuring matters
• Build and grow your own client portfolio and referral network
• Lead on business development and strategic initiatives
• Mentor and develop junior lawyers within the team
• Collaborate with colleagues across a full-service national platform
• Support senior leadership in shaping the direction of the employment offering

About You

Essential Requirements:

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)
• Senior-level experience (Partner / Director / Legal Director) in employment law
• Proven client following or established referral network
• Strong expertise across the full spectrum of employment law
• Demonstrable track record of business development and revenue generation
• Excellent leadership, communication and client management skills
• Commercially astute with an entrepreneurial and collaborative mindset

Desirable:

• Experience leading or scaling a team
• Established relationships with PLCs, SMEs, or senior executives
• Interest in contributing to firm-wide strategy and growth

Salary & Benefits

Remuneration:

• Fee-share or market-leading salary (tailored to following and experience)
• Attractive bonus and profit-sharing potential

Professional & Career Development:

• Genuine opportunity to shape and lead a growing practice
• Access to advanced legal technology and dedicated support resources
• Ongoing investment in leadership and professional development

Work‑Life Balance & Culture:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Inclusive, collaborative and entrepreneurial culture
• Strong focus on wellbeing and work‑life balance

Additional Benefits:

• Pension scheme and financial planning support
• Private healthcare and wellbeing initiatives
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
Modern office environments across multiple UK locations
• Firm-wide recognition programmes and social events

Location & Working Arrangements

• Location: London or other UK offices
• Working Pattern: Flexible / Hybrid
• National Platform: Opportunity to work across a network of UK offices