Associate, Employment

Fieldfisher; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Health cash plan

Dental insurance

Life assurance

Critical illness insurance

Pension contributions

Holiday trading

Generous annual leave

Season ticket loans

Bike to work loans

Job summary

Fieldfisher is seeking an Associate in its Employment team in London. The role requires 3–6 years PQE and a qualified solicitor in England, with a strong grounding in employment law, disputes, restructurings and cross-border matters.

You will work closely with senior lawyers across our European network to deliver client-focused, commercially oriented advice. The role emphasizes collaboration, knowledge sharing and development opportunities within a high-performing, market-facing environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor in England with 3–6 years of post-qualification experience.
• Experience in employment law, including investigations, restructurings and cross-border matters.
• Strong drafting, organizational and client-facing skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with employment litigation and advisory matters, including drafting schedules and pre-action materials.
• Contribute to advisory matters such as disciplinaries, redundancies, TUPE and exits.
• Support transformation projects including restructurings, outsourcing and organizational change.
• Draft clear, commercially focused advice under supervision and attend client meetings.
• Assist with business development activities, webinars and client training.
• Support junior team members and collaborate across international offices.

Skills

Employment law

Client management

Legal research

Drafting & instruction

Education

Qualified Solicitor in England

Job description

About the Team

The VacancyAbout the TeamFieldfisher's Employment team is recognised for delivering pragmatic, commercially focused advice to a diverse client base ranging from multinational organisations and household brands to fast-growing businesses. Working closely with clients across a broad range of sectors, the team advises on the full spectrum of employment law matters, including complex workplace disputes, strategic people issues, business restructurings, cross-border employment matters, and employment aspects of corporate transactions. Known for its collaborative approach and strong client relationships, the team combines technical excellence with a practical understanding of the challenges facing modern employers. Joining the team offers the opportunity to work on high-profile matters alongside the opportunity to work with leading employment lawyers across our European network.

Role Purpose

In this role, the Associate will be expected to contribute across the following areas: Business & Financial Management e.g. Effectively manages billing process for some clients. Client Focus e.g. Participates in the preparation of knowledge updates and seminars for clients. Working with People & Teams e.g. Actively seeks professional development opportunities and more responsibility and delegates to more junior members of the team. Business Development e.g. Works with other fee earners to develop relationships with new business prospects and starts to use interaction to cross-sell and look for BD opportunities. Technical Skills e.g. Can identify the major sources of legal precedents for practice area, both in house and external. Knowledge & Innovation e.g. Shares knowledge and experience with colleagues in different ways e.g. training and has excellent presentation and networking skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Casework & Advisory Support: Assist with employment litigation, including preparing ET3s, drafting schedules/counter schedules of loss, undertaking legal research and supporting advocacy on workplace investigations, including fact-gathering, document review and drafting investigation reports.
• Contribute to advisory matters such as disciplinary/grievance processes, redundancies, TUPE, employment status and senior exits.
• Assist with transformation projects including restructuring, outsourcing and organisational change programmes, including preparing consultation materials and supporting project management.
• Client Interaction & Communication: Draft clear, commercially relevant advice under supervision. Attend client calls and meetings with senior lawyers, helping to prepare agendas, documents and follow up notes.
• Business Development & Team Contribution: Support the delivery of webinars, seminars and client training. Contribute to thought leadership and internal know how projects. Help build client relationships through responsive, professional.
• Support junior, Wales or another common law jurisdiction, with strong relevant experience in respondent employment law.
• Significant post‑qualification experience with 3‑6 years PQE within a leading international law firm or comparable in‑house environment.
• Good understanding of employment law fundamentals, with proven expertise in areas such as restructuring, investigations and proactive, organised and commercially aware approach, with a willingness to learn and take on responsibility.
• Confident communicator and strong client‑facing confidence.
• Excellent drafting, case management, organisational and analytical skills.
• Delivers work efficiently while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Demonstrates ability to support junior team members and contribute to team development.
• Commercial awareness and a proactive approach to client service and business development.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills with the lawyers and trainees with their professional development.
• Assist with business development activities, including networking and marketing and maintain strong client relationships through excellent service delivery and responsiveness.
• Collaborate effectively across international offices and practice groups.
• Contribute to team knowledge sharing and support innovation, process improvement, and initiatives within the practice.
• Maintain accurate file management, time recording and compliance with professional standards, firm policies, and regulatory requirements.
• The ideal candidate will be a technically strong and commercially minded lawyer who thrives in a collaborative, market‑facing and high‑performing environment. They will demonstrate excellent communication skills, consistent technical excellence and sound commercial judgement, along with the ability to manage complex matters while building trusted relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Experience and qualifications: Qualified solicitor in England & ability to contribute positively to team culture, promoting inclusion and collaboration effectively across global teams.

Who are we looking for?

We don't have a type. We believe our differences are our strengths; varied cultures, approaches and experiences can only benefit us.

What do we offer?

You can be yourself: It takes everyone to make us who we are. We're a culture of diverse perspectives, with each of us making unique contributions that make us better together.

In the office or WFH?

We think the best balance is more time in the office than at home, so we operate a 60:40 rule.

Beyond salary:

• private medical insurance
• health cash plan
• dental insurance
• life assurance
• critical illness insurance
• matched pension contributions up to 7%
• holiday trading
• plus many more
• Generous annual leave
• Health insurance
• Pension contributions
• Life assurance
• Season ticket loans
• Bike to work loans

Visitors and Views

Come for the WOW views: Riverbank House is in the City, just next to London Bridge with stunning views of The Shard and Tower Bridge. It's a short walk from Monument/Bank.

Nurturing your talent

Take a 'build a career' approach to your training. You'll be on a pathway but free to wander if you see something you'd like to study more closely.

Funnel your interests

You have a life outside work, and we can help it to flourish. Join clubs, affinity networks, inclusive events, and pro bono/charity at Fieldfisher. At Fieldfisher, inclusion is central to how we work. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and able to succeed. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process or once you join us, we will work with you to put the right support in place. Examples include extra time for assessments, accessible document formats, alternative interview formats, quiet rooms, or physical and technological accessibility support.

Accessing Fieldfisher London

Accessing Fieldfisher London Fieldfisher Fieldfisher

Testimonials

"It is great being in a firm which \"gets\" cross-office working - to feel properly part of a national team and to work with colleagues in other specialisms who are unconstrained by geography."

"I consider Fieldfisher to be a progressive firm with an understanding of social values. I'm pleased that staff is able to have input in the firm's direction and purpose as well as help to shape wider society. I'm encouraged to perform by being able to develop in a natural way, whilst being supported at every step.Fieldfisher has managed to nurture a really positive and friendly culture. If they have drive and ambition, I would encourage anybody looking for a role here to grab the opportunity."

"Since joining Fieldfisher in 2016, I have progressed from an entry-level secretarial role to an experienced executive assistant. This was made possible by a supportive and inclusive working environment that allows staff to progress at a pace that is best suited to them which in turn makes for well-rounded, home-grown talent.The firm strikes a great balance between providing the foundations for success and autonomy of your own growth and development. An insight I would give to potential applicants is that Fieldfisher offers the opportunity for a career and a sense of belonging to a community and not just a job."

The Firm

We are not a UK firm with offices in Europe. We are a European law firm at our core. While our HQ is London, we are spreading across Europe at pace. In addition to UK, China and Silicon Valley we have offices in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Spain. With 28 offices across 14 countries, we work collaboratively with each of our offices to ensure our clients receive the best advice and support. You might expect an impersonal office culture, but you will find a homely, family feel even in the largest offices. Quality on both sidesAcross all our offices and jurisdictions are market-leading practices in corporate/M&A, finance, real estate, energy and natural resources, technology and life sciences. We count as clients large corporations including major technology firms, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, energy suppliers, infrastructure companies, global banks and financial institutions. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff. Applications will be considered on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave
• Health insurance
• Pension contributions
• Life assurance
• Season ticket loans
• Bike to work loans