Employment Solicitor 5PQE+

BCL Legal; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading national law firm is seeking a Principal Associate (Senior Employment Lawyer) for its Birmingham office. This role involves providing strategic advice on complex employment law matters and managing Employment Tribunal claims. The ideal candidate will have 5+ years PQE in employment law and a strong ability to mentor junior colleagues. The firm offers a collaborative culture, hybrid working, and a clear career development path.

Benefits

Collaborative and inclusive culture

Hybrid working arrangements

Generous benefits and wellbeing support

Qualifications

• 5+ years' PQE with a focus on employment law.
• Experience handling Employment Tribunal claims.
• Ability to advise on core employment law matters.

Responsibilities

• Act as a senior advisor on complex employment issues.
• Manage a caseload of Employment Tribunal defence claims.
• Support and co-lead a major equal pay project.

Skills

Employment law expertise

Contentious and non-contentious experience

Excellent communication skills

Attention to detail

Team-oriented approach

Time management

Job description

Employment Principal Associate | National Law Firm | 5+ PQE | Complex Advisory & Tribunal Work | Birmingham / Hybrid

A leading national law firm is seeking to recruit a talented Principal Associate (Senior Employment Lawyer) to join its highly ranked Employment, Pensions and Immigration practice in Birmingham. This opportunity sits within a specialist sub-team (HR Rely), known for its high-calibre client base, including some of the UK's largest employers, and for delivering strategic advice on sensitive, high-value employment matters.

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced employment solicitor (5+ PQE) to take on a pivotal role within a growing team - working closely with senior leadership and playing a key part in driving the team's future development.

The Role

You'll join a Legal 500 and Chambers-ranked team with a clear growth ambition, supporting clients across a wide range of employment matters, contentious and non-contentious.

Key responsibilities include:

Acting as a senior advisor on complex employment law issues including redundancy, disciplinary and grievance processes, whistleblowing, and discrimination

Supporting and co-leading a major equal pay / industrial relations project alongside senior lawyers and King's Counsel (no advocacy required)

Managing a caseload of Employment Tribunal defence claims, working to internal and external SLAs

Advising on change and restructuring processes, including consultation requirements and variation of terms

Drafting articles and legal updates, supporting training sessions, and contributing to business development activity

Supporting the mentoring and development of junior colleagues

You'll be joining a cohesive sub-team of Partners, Associates, Solicitors and Paralegals in a collaborative and supportive work environment. The team is known for its strong client relationships, a commercial approach to legal issues, and a commitment to quality.

About You

- We're looking for a motivated and technically strong lawyer with:
- 5+ years' PQE with a focus on employment law
- Experience handling a mix of contentious and non-contentious matters, including Employment Tribunal claims
- Ideally, previous experience advising on equal pay or industrial relations issues (though not essential)
- Demonstrable ability to advise on all core employment law matters
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong attention to detail, organisation, and time management
- A proactive, team-oriented approach and the ability to work autonomously
- Interest in mentoring junior lawyers and engaging in business development initiatives

Why Join This Firm?

This is an award-winning legal employer, consistently recognised in the UK's Top Employers awards, offering:

A collaborative and inclusive culture, with a real commitment to personal development

Hybrid working, with flexible arrangements available

High-quality work from day one, including exposure to major projects and high-profile clients

A clear career development path within a growing team

Generous benefits and wellbeing support

You'll be part of a firm that takes pride in building long-term careers, not just jobs - and where people genuinely matter.

Apply Now

To express interest in this opportunity, please submit your CV to Donna Jones for a confidential conversation.