Solicitor / Associate / Senior Associate – Employment

DWF; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

DWF, a leading global legal services provider, is seeking Employment Lawyers across all levels to join our nationally recognised Employment team. The role offers hybrid working and exposure to high-profile matters for diverse clients, from SMEs to multinational organisations.

We welcome Solicitor, Associate and Senior Associate level candidates with strong grounding in employment law and corporate support experience. DWF supports career development and collaboration within a collegiate team.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor with experience in Employment Law.
• Strong track record of practical, commercial and strategic advice to employers.
• Experience managing a caseload with autonomy.
• Tribunal experience and handling employment disputes from start to finish.
• Experience advising on TUPE and employment issues in corporate transactions.

Responsibilities

• Manage your own caseload, handling a mix of contentious and non-contentious matters.
• Provide pragmatic, commercially focused advice on employment issues, including TUPE and restructures.
• Collaborate with Corporate and Commercial teams to support transactions.
• Take ownership of tribunal matters, including drafting pleadings and advocacy where appropriate.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, mentoring junior lawyers.
• Contribute to business development through networking, training and thought leadership.
• Collaborate across Employment, Pensions, and wider teams to deliver seamless solutions.
• Manage priorities and deadlines while upholding high technical standards and client care.

Skills

Employment Law

Client management

Commercial advisory

Team collaboration

Education

Solicitor qualification

Job description

Why join us?

DWF is seeking Employment Lawyers across all levels, from Solicitor to 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 Pensions teams that operate on a national and international basis, advising a diverse client base ranging from local SMEs to multinational organisations. We work closely with HR teams, in-house legal functions and business leaders, providing strategic and commercially focused employment law advice.

We combine top-tier legal expertise with a modern and collaborative approach to client service, creating an environment where our people can thrive and develop their careers.

As part of this highly regarded team, you will have the opportunity to work on a broad range of high-quality employment matters for clients across a variety of sectors. We are particularly interested in candidates with corporate support experience, alongside a strong technical grounding in employment law.

We are open to applications from Solicitor, Associate and Senior Associate level candidates. This opportunity can be based from any of our Northern offices, including Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle, with hybrid working available. Candidates located in other DWF regional offices may also be considered for the right opportunity.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive, collegiate team with strong career development prospects and exposure to high-profile clients and complex work.

Responsibilities

• Manage your own caseload, handling a mix of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters for a diverse client base.
• Provide pragmatic, commercially focused advice on a range of employment issues, including TUPE, restructures, contracts, policies, disciplinary and grievance matters, and senior exits.
• Work closely with our Corporate and Commercial teams, providing employment law support on mergers, acquisitions and other strategic transactions.
• Take ownership of employment tribunal matters, including drafting pleadings, managing litigation strategy and, where appropriate, conducting advocacy.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, delivering exceptional service and acting as a trusted advisor. Support the development of junior lawyers through coaching, mentoring and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to business development initiatives, including networking, client training, thought leadership and identifying opportunities for growth.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues across the Employment, Pensions and wider legal teams to deliver seamless client solutions.
• Manage competing priorities and deadlines while maintaining the highest standards of technical excellence and client care.

What will help you succeed in this role?

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor with experience in Employment Law.
• A track record of providing practical, commercial and strategic advice to employer clients.
• Experience managing your own caseload with an appropriate level of autonomy.
• Tribunal experience and confidence managing employment disputes from inception through to conclusion.
• Experience advising on TUPE and employment issues arising from corporate transactions and M&A activity.
• Strong drafting, negotiation and client management skills.
• Ability to analyse complex legal issues and deliver pragmatic, commercially focused advice.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• A collaborative approach and willingness to support the development of junior team members.
• Experience gained within a national, international or well-regarded regional practice would be advantageous.

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.