Employment Associate (Reading)

Employement Associate – Highly Respected International Firm 

A highly regarded, Legal 500 and Chambers recognised law firm, with an established reputation across the UK legal market, is looking to appoint a 5+ PQE Employment Associate to join its established and growing Employment team in Reading.

The firm is consistently recognised across leading legal directories for the quality of its lawyers, client service and specialist expertise, making this an excellent opportunity for an ambitious Employment Solicitor looking to develop their career within a well-respected practice.

The successful candidate will work closely with Partners in Reading and support clients across the firm’s wider office network. The role offers high visibility both within and outside the firm, alongside significant opportunities for business development, Partner exposure and career progression.

The Reading office acts for a number of well-known employers, with a particularly strong client base across the technology and education sectors.

The Role
The successful candidate will ideally have a strong mix of contentious and non-contentious employment experience, including:

• Capability and conduct matters
• Redundancy
• TUPE
• Whistleblowing
• Bringing and defending Employment Tribunal litigation
• Settlement negotiations
• Trade union law
• Employer and HR advisory work
• Senior executive matters

Experience within the education sector would also be highly desirable, particularly advising independent schools on matters including parent complaints and disputes, regulatory issues and SEND Tribunal matters.
This is a role with genuine scope for progression and would suit an Employment Solicitor with the drive and ambition to build their profile, develop client relationships and play a key role in the continued growth of the practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake a high-quality and varied Employment caseload, providing commercially focused advice to clients.
• Advise employers, HR teams and senior executives across a broad range of Employment matters.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term client relationships.
• Contribute profitably to the Employment Team and wider Business Services Division.
• Play an active role in business development and the continued growth of the team and firm.
• Work closely with Partners and colleagues across the firm and its wider office network.
• Deliver consistently high-quality legal services in line with professional standards and ethics.
• Act as an ambassador for the firm, promoting its reputation and values positively.

Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will ideally have:

• 5–8 years’ PQE in Employment law.
• Strong specialist knowledge across both contentious and non-contentious Employment matters.
• A strong track record of advising employers and senior executives.
• Experience of Employment Tribunal litigation and settlement negotiations.
• Experience in business development and developing client relationships.
• Experience within the education sector would be advantageous.
• Solicitor, Barrister or FILEX qualification.
• Demonstrable achievement against the competency levels expected of a mid-level Associate.
• Excellent communication, organisational and client management skills.
• The drive and ambition to play an active role in the continued development of the team.

The firm operates a hybrid agile working policy, allowing employees to work from home, or another UK location, for at least 50% of their time. Other flexible working arrangements can also be considered either at the point of recruitment or during employment.