We have an exciting permanent opportunity for an experienced employment lawyer to join the Employment Team in our Newbury office. The caseload will be primarily respondent based, however, some claimant work will be required. The ideal candidate will have 6+ years’ PQE with previous commercial law firm experience. We are particularly looking for someone who has experience of managing their own employment tribunal claims and / or providing corporate support. You should be able to work independently and manage your own caseload which will cover a broad mix of contentious and non-contentious work.
Our Employment Team is part of our broader Business Team and provides expert and pragmatic guidance on day-to-day employment matters, navigates complex corporate transitions, and manages workplace disputes and employment claims. We also assist with the intricacies of redundancies, as well as advising on settlement agreements.
The Role
* Providing advice to employer clients on a wide range of employment law issues including recruitment, termination, discrimination, contract disputes, unfair dismissal, sickness absence, grievances, redundancies, TUPE, performance concerns and disciplinary proceedings
* Conducting employment tribunal proceedings
* Drafting, reviewing and updating employment contracts, policies, and handbooks
* Advising on senior exits
* Providing support to the Head of Department and Corporate Team with transactional work
* Attending and promoting the team and firm at business networking opportunities and being dynamic in seeking new business relationships and leads
* Providing training and guidance to HR and management on employment law topics
* Supporting the development and supervision of junior members of the team
About you
* 6+ years’ PQE in employment law ideally with a commercial law firm
* Preferable prior experience of managing your own employment tribunal claims and / or providing corporate support
* Self-starter with a strong attention to detail and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities
* Excellent team player with demonstrable ability to build effective and trusting relationships with clients and colleagues
* Strong client-facing and business development skills
* Excellent analytical, negotiation and communication skills
We offer
Salary: Competitive
Office: Preferably Newbury
Hours of work: 9.00am - 5.30pm
Other Benefits: Flexible Leave (Holiday) Policy; pension; life assurance; medical health cash plan & discount portal with Virtual GP & wellbeing tools & advice.
About Gardner Leader
Gardner Leader is a forward thinking, innovative and friendly law firm which has grown substantially in recent years and has offices throughout the Thames Valley.
Recently awarded “2024 Law Firm of the Year” by LawNet, we provide quality legal services to individuals and businesses through our Business, Real Estate, Litigation, Family, Wills Probate & Estate Planning, and Conveyancing teams.
At Gardner Leader, we’re committed to providing peace of mind to our clients and colleagues and we strongly believe that our friendly and inclusive culture enables us to achieve this. We value each other, celebrate our successes and achievements and encourage great team-working. We also recognise that a work-life balance is important to everyone and this is a key part of our ethos, together with a commitment to develop your technical knowledge and ability, and advance your business development skills.
We are an equal opportunities employer and believe that diversity of background and thinking is a big strength in our people. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
If this sounds like the role for you and an exciting opportunity and you have the skills and experience to join our team, please apply and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.