Leading International Firm I Employment Associate, 2+PQE
Location: Southampton
Sector: Private Practice
A leading international law firm is seeking an Employment Associate (2+ PQE) to join its highly regarded Employment team in Southampton. This is an excellent opportunity for a talented employment lawyer looking to work with a broad client base, high-quality mandates, and a supportive team renowned for its strong culture and flexible approach to working.
The Team
The Employment team is a well-established practice with a strong reputation for advising employers across a range of sectors, including financial services, technology, healthcare, energy, retail and manufacturing.
As part of a wider national employment practice, the Southampton team works closely with colleagues across the UK on complex and high-value matters, providing associates with significant client exposure and opportunities to develop their own specialisms.
The firm continues to invest in its regional offices, with Southampton remaining a key strategic location within its growth plans.
The Opportunity
You will advise clients on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, including:
- Day-to-day HR and employment law advisory work
- Employment Tribunal claims and litigation
- Disciplinary, grievance and performance management issues
- Redundancy and restructuring projects
- TUPE matters
- Executive appointments and exits
- Drafting and negotiating employment contracts and service agreements
- Employment aspects of corporate transactions
- Diversity, equality and workplace investigations
You will work directly with partners and senior lawyers while taking a visible role in client relationships and business development initiatives.
Candidate Requirements
- Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales
- 2+ years' PQE in employment law
- Experience advising employer clients on a broad range of employment matters
- Strong technical and commercial skills
- Excellent communication and client relationship abilities
- A collaborative approach and desire to work within a team-oriented environment
- UK-trained and retained lawyer preferred
Why Join?
This firm is recognised for offering City-quality work alongside a genuinely flexible and supportive culture.
Key benefits include:
- High-quality national employment practice with an established client base
- Strong partner access and mentoring
- Excellent opportunities for career progression
- Dedicated resource management support to help ensure fair work allocation and exposure to preferred areas of work
- No mandated office attendance requirements
- Flexible and agile working policies
- Outstanding work-life balance
- Strong support for families and personal commitments
- Alternative working arrangements available, including adjusted hours and reduced working week options during certain times of the year
This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious employment lawyer seeking high-calibre work, genuine flexibility, and a clear path for long-term career development within a leading national practice.
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