Senior Associate - Employment

DWF Law LLP; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

DWF LLP is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate for its Employment team, based in Belfast. You will work with a nationally recognised team on a broad range of employment matters for NI and ROI clients, including advisory work, litigation, TUPE, reorganisations, and policies.

You will partner with HR teams, in-house counsel, and business leaders, mentoring junior lawyers and contributing to the team’s growth, with a hybrid working arrangement in place.

Qualifications

• Qualified as a solicitor in Northern Ireland and/or the Republic of Ireland.
• Track record of providing practical, strategic employment advice.
• Tribunal/WRC experience and ability to manage cases end-to-end.
• Experience with TUPE and employment issues arising from M&A activity.
• 5+ years PQE in Employment Law in a well-regarded firm.
• Experience managing your own caseload.

Responsibilities

• Manage your own caseload, from advisory work to employment litigation.
• Provide pragmatic, business-focused advice on TUPE, reorganisations, contracts, policies, and senior exits.
• Collaborate with corporate/commercial teams on high-value transactions.
• Own employment claims from drafting pleadings to advocacy with Counsel.
• Mentor junior lawyers and support their development.
• Contribute to growth via networking and business development.
• Deliver the highest standard of service to diverse clients.

Skills

Client advisory

Employment litigation

Case management

Mentoring juniors

Business development

Education

Solicitor qualification (NI/ ROI)

Job description

Why join us?

DWF are seeking an Associate or Senior Associate to join our nationally recognised Employment team and work with some of the most dynamic clients and colleagues in the industry.

We have large Employment Legal Services and Pension teams who work globally and act for a broad range of clients, from local SMEs to multinational conglomerates. We work closely with human resources teams, in-house lawyers, and senior business leaders.

Based in Belfast and working closely with an experienced Director, you will work across the full spectrum of employment law matters for clients with a presence in NI and/or Republic of Ireland.

We combine top-tier legal expertise with a refreshingly modern approach to client service and team collaboration.

As an Associate in this team, you can expect to participate in high-quality work from and with clients operating across a variety of sectors. This work is underpinned by a supportive and collegiate working environment and team.

We are open to candidates based in Belfast, and offer a hybrid working arrangement.

Responsibilities

• Manage your own caseload, handling everything from day-to-day advisory work to employment litigation.
• Provide pragmatic, business-focused advice on issues including TUPE, reorganisations, contracts, policies, and senior exits.
• Work closely with our corporate and commercial teams on high-value transactions.
• Take ownership of employment claims — from drafting pleadings to conducting advocacy and working with Counsel.
• Play a hands-on role in mentoring junior lawyers and supporting their development.
• Contribute to the team’s growth through networking and business development.
• Be trusted to deliver the highest standard of service to a diverse and loyal client base.

What will help you succeed in this role?

Essential

• Qualified as a solicitor in Northern Ireland and/or the Republic of Ireland.
• A track record of providing practical, strategic advice to employer clients.
• Tribunal and/or WRC experience and comfortable managing cases end-to-end.
• Experience with TUPE and employment issues arising from M&A activity.
• 5+ years' PQE in Employment Law, in a well-regarded firm.
• Previous experience of managing your own caseload.

What we offer?

We are committed to ensuring that each member of our team feels valued and duly rewarded during their time at DWF.

We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support needed. If you're excited about the opportunity but your experience doesn't align perfectly with all the requirements, please apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for the role or others across the wider team.

About us

DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. We empower people to be themselves within an inclusive and supportive environment, enabling everyone to achieve their full potential in line with their abilities and career aspirations.