Employment Associate

Employment Associate

London Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Baker McKenzie

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our Employment team to tackle diverse legal challenges and support global clients.
  • Company: Baker McKenzie is a leading global law firm with a collaborative culture and a commitment to excellence.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a supportive environment, flexible work options, and recognition as one of the best firms to work at.
  • Why this job: Work on high-profile cases and projects while developing your skills in a top-tier legal practice.
  • Qualifications: Ideal candidates have 4-7 years PQE and strong employment law experience from a leading practice.
  • Other info: We celebrate diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive hiring process.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

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We are looking for Associates to join our market-leading Employment Practice. Our Employment team works with our clients on the full range of domestic and international employment issues. We collaborate with a broad range of blue-chip and global clients across sectors including financial services, TMT, healthcare, transport, consumer products, publishing, and retail. This is an exciting opportunity to join an expanding and leading London team working on high-quality, varied, and interesting work, including global projects and transactions, high-profile domestic advisory work, complex litigation and investigations, and strategic HR advisory work. We welcome applications from candidates with excellent academics and broad employment experience from a top-tier Employment practice.

The Team

Our London team comprises over 45 dedicated employment lawyers. We work closely with our Employee Benefits lawyers and Pensions Department. Our practice involves working with HR and in-house legal teams on daily employment queries. Our lawyers have recognized technical expertise in areas such as discrimination, collective rights, workplace change (including TUPE, mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, outsourcing, collective consultation, trade union issues, and EWCs), employment tribunal litigation, appellate courts, High Court litigation, investigations, and data privacy.

We are known for providing commercial, cost-effective, decisive, and pragmatic advice. Our first-tier ranking in legal directories reflects our commitment to delivering the best results for our clients. We invest in developing our team, maintaining expertise, and working closely with clients. Our broad client base allows us to offer diverse perspectives and well-rounded advice across sectors. Our practice is ranked Band 1 in both Chambers UK and Legal 500, and we are part of the only Band 1 ranked employment practice in Chambers Global worldwide.

Key Skills and Experience Required

We seek qualified lawyers with 4-7 years PQE, excellent academics, strong training, and substantial employment experience from a leading employment practice.

The successful candidates will have a good commercial mindset, be strong team players, and able to build excellent client relationships.

Possible matters include:

Transactions

  • Leading UK M&A transactions, including due diligence, drafting and negotiating employment provisions, and advising on TUPE and related consequences.
  • Advising on global or multi-jurisdictional carve-out transactions, working with local teams on employment-related implementation, relocations, changing terms, restructuring, and employee relations.
  • Advising on UK and global outsourcing, TUPE application, mitigation, and drafting operational clauses and indemnifications.
  • Advising on redundancies, procedural requirements, pooling, selection, and consultations in individual and collective contexts.
  • Handling day-to-day client queries: disciplinary procedures, grievances, sickness, performance, whistleblowing, contracts, policies, and data protection. Also advising on terminations and settlement agreements.

Multi-jurisdictional Projects

  • Leading on global or regional HR projects and transactions.

Litigation

  • Managing Employment Tribunal claims, including form preparation, witness statements, merits, and settlement considerations.
  • Providing advice on restrictive covenants and High Court litigation.

Why Join Us?

Baker McKenzie is a global law firm with 13,200 people across 74 offices in 45 countries. Founded in 1949, we advise many of the world\’s most successful organizations. Our culture promotes collaboration, support, and high standards. In London, our largest office, we offer the experience of a leading firm in a friendly, supportive environment.

Recent awards include:

  • Ranked in the 2024 UK A-List of best firms to work at
  • Included in The Times 2024 list of Best Law Firms
  • Ranked in the FT Most Innovative Law Firms in Europe 2024
  • Listed in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2024-2025
  • International Employment Lawyer – Elite Firm 2025
  • Multiple awards for innovation, client management, and pro bono initiatives

We welcome direct applications. Please review our Applicant Privacy Notice. Baker & McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We value individuals from all backgrounds and strive to provide an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates.

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Employment Associate employer: Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work culture within its London office, where you will engage in high-quality, varied employment law work for prestigious global clients. With a strong commitment to employee development, our firm provides ample opportunities for professional growth and innovation, making it a top choice for those seeking a rewarding career in law.
Baker McKenzie

Contact Detail:

Baker McKenzie Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Employment Associate

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and developments in employment law, especially those relevant to the sectors mentioned in the job description. This will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the employment law field, particularly those who work at Baker McKenzie or similar firms. Attend industry events or webinars to make connections and gain insights that could give you an edge during the application process.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific cases or projects you've worked on that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Highlighting your relevant experience will show that you're ready to contribute from day one.

✨Tip Number 4

Research Baker McKenzie’s recent achievements and awards, as well as their approach to client management and innovation. Being able to reference these in your conversations will reflect your enthusiasm for joining their team.

We think you need these skills to ace Employment Associate

Employment Law Expertise
Commercial Awareness
Client Relationship Management
Negotiation Skills
Litigation Management
Dispute Resolution
Drafting and Reviewing Contracts
Knowledge of TUPE Regulations
Understanding of Employment Tribunal Procedures
Multi-jurisdictional Legal Knowledge
Strong Analytical Skills
Team Collaboration
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Data Privacy Compliance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Employment Associate position. Familiarise yourself with the key skills and experience required, such as PQE, commercial mindset, and client relationship building.

Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience in employment law, particularly focusing on your work with M&A transactions, litigation, and HR advisory. Use specific examples that demonstrate your expertise and achievements in these areas.

Write a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for employment law and your understanding of the firm's values. Mention why you want to join Baker McKenzie specifically and how your background aligns with their practice areas and client base.

Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread your documents. Check for grammatical errors, clarity, and overall presentation. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.

How to prepare for a job interview at Baker McKenzie

✨Know Your Employment Law

Brush up on key employment law concepts, especially those relevant to the sectors mentioned in the job description. Being able to discuss recent cases or changes in legislation will show your expertise and enthusiasm for the role.

✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness

Understand the business implications of employment issues. Be prepared to discuss how employment law intersects with commercial objectives, particularly in areas like M&A transactions and restructuring.

✨Showcase Teamwork Skills

Since the role requires strong collaboration with HR and legal teams, be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully worked in teams. Highlight any experiences where you contributed to a collective goal or resolved conflicts.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about past experiences where you handled complex employment issues, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.

Employment Associate
Baker McKenzie
Location: London
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