Senior Associate – Employment

Our client is an established and highly regarded regional law firm is seeking to appoint a Senior Associate to join its specialist Employment team in Berkshire. This is an opportunity to join a recognised practice with a strong reputation across the Thames Valley and South Coast markets. The team advises a diverse client base spanning the private, public and third sectors, including national and international organisations, and is consistently recognised by the leading independent legal directories for the quality of its work and expertise. The role offers genuine scope for progression within a growing and well-supported team. Working alongside experienced employment specialists, you will be exposed to a broad range of complex and varied matters while developing long-term client relationships and building your profile in a highly active regional market. The successful candidate will undertake a balanced mix of contentious and non-contentious employment work, primarily advising employer clients. Matters include employment tribunal litigation, day-to-day advisory work, corporate support, restructures, workforce management issues and the delivery of client training. The client base is notably diverse, ranging from major retail brands and commercial organisations to NHS bodies, government entities and third-sector organisations. Beyond technical work, the firm actively encourages Lawyers to contribute to business development and thought leadership initiatives. There will be opportunities to participate in seminars, webinars and networking events, as well as producing articles and guidance for clients. The role also offers increasing responsibility for supervising and mentoring junior Lawyers as part of a collaborative and collegiate team environment. While based principally in Reading, the team operates across a wider regional platform, providing opportunities to work alongside colleagues in other offices and benefit from the expertise of complementary practice areas, including specialist pensions and immigration Lawyers. Occasional travel within the region is expected. This position would suit an ambitious employment Lawyer who has already established a solid foundation in employment law and is looking to take the next step within a respected practice. You will possess strong technical ability, sound commercial judgement and excellent communication skills, together with a genuine enthusiasm for building client relationships and contributing to the continued success of the team. In return, you will join a firm that combines high-quality work with a supportive culture, genuine investment in professional development and a pragmatic approach to flexible working. The platform on offer provides an excellent environment in which to further develop your expertise, strengthen your market presence and build a long-term career.

Responsibilities

Balanced mix of contentious and non-contentious employment work, primarily advising employer clients; employment tribunal litigation; day-to-day advisory work; corporate support; restructures; workforce management issues; delivery of client training; contributing to business development and thought leadership initiatives; participating in seminars, webinars and networking events; producing articles and guidance for clients; supervising and mentoring junior Lawyers

Requirements

Mid Senior Level (3-7+ years); Senior Level (5-10+ years); PQE: 1-3 years, 4-6 years, 7+ years, 10+ years; ambitious employment Lawyer who has already established a solid foundation in employment law; strong technical ability; sound commercial judgement; excellent communication skills; genuine enthusiasm for building client relationships and contributing to the continued success of the team

Benefits

Supportive culture; genuine investment in professional development; pragmatic approach to flexible working; opportunities to participate in seminars, webinars and networking events; scope for progression