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- Tasks: Join a dynamic team tackling diverse employment law challenges and providing strategic advice.
- Company: Birketts LLP is a top UK law firm with over 160 years of experience and a commitment to community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, private healthcare, hybrid working, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a highly ranked team known for its collaborative spirit and growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Seeking driven individuals with a passion for business development and high-quality legal work.
- Other info: Flexible working patterns are welcomed, promoting a healthy work-life balance.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
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Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.
We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.
Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.
With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.
The department
Our vibrant, energetic Employment Team boasts some of the best lawyers in the business specialising in all aspects of employment law facing a company\’s board or the HR professional – from everyday operational challenges through to advising on strategic issues.
The team currently comprises nearly 40 specialist qualified employment law solicitors, including 10 partners working across six offices, making us one of the larger employment teams in the country. We have the strength and depth of expertise to ensure we deliver the service you would expect in respect of technical quality, practical approach, and timeliness of advice.
Birketts employment law team has experience in all areas of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters, representing clients from a broad range of public and private organisations as well as individuals and senior executives and we are proud to act for sector leading clients nationwide and some important and high-profile businesses and institutions across a number of key sectors.
Ranked 1 tier in Chambers and Legal 500, you will join a highly successful Employment team who is seeing consistent and continuous growth, and which works and collaborates closely as a supportive team of colleagues. Our employment advice is supplemented by a well-developed in-house employment client training offering, a HR consultancy service, a workplace investigations service, an employee incentives group, a team of accredited mediators and an immigration team.
Purpose of job
Our office in Ipswsich has a highly experienced and dynamic employment team and due to growth, we are now recruiting for a Senior Associate/Legal Director to join the department.
Sectors in which we work include education, financial services, construction, transport and private client/agriculture, charities and public sector. Particular areas of expertise sought include:
- General employment issues ranging from maternity rights to general contractual issues.
- Drafting service agreements, contracts of employment and staff handbooks
- Drafting and reviewing employment policies ranging from performance, sickness, and misconduct procedures to maternity and parental leave schemes.
- Transactional corporate support work
- Wrongful and unfair dismissal
- Restrictive covenant enforcement and defence
- Advice to Executives on joining and exiting appointments
- Redundancy and restructuring
- Transfer of Undertakings
- Awareness of boardroom disputes and severance claims
- Employment litigation in the employment tribunal
- Discrimination (including sex, race, disability and age)
- Trade union work for employers.
- Professional Discipline and conduct, including advising professional conduct/fitness to practice panels
The candidate
We are looking to recruit an individual who has the drive and commitment to assist Birketts’ in the continued growth and development of our Employment practice and to become an essential core member of our team. You will be involved in a range of business development activities, including attending networking and other BD events, supporting on tenders/pitches, and drafting sector-relevant articles for our own and external publications.
The role offers future career progression opportunities for the right candidate who demonstrates a strong business case during their career..
- Interest in and aptitude for business development and growth opportunities.
- A strong drive to produce work/documentation which is consistently of a high standard.
- To have a flexible approach to work to ensure client deadlines are always met and clients are communicated with on a consistent and regular basis.
- Knowledge of clientele within Suffolk/East Anglia and the surrounding areas, as well nationally is advantangeous.
Equal opportunities
At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:
- 30 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
- Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
- Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
- Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
- Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
- Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
- Life Assurance – 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
- Paid CSR Day
- Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Subsidised gym membership
- Electric car scheme
- Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
- Dress for your Day Policy
is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.
Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.
Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.
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Senior Associate / Legal Director employer: Birketts LLP
Contact Detail:
Birketts LLP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Associate / Legal Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network actively within the legal community, especially in employment law. Attend relevant events and seminars where you can meet professionals from Birketts LLP and other firms. Building relationships can give you insights into the firm’s culture and values, which is crucial for your application.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Birketts' recent cases and publications in employment law. This knowledge will not only help you understand their approach but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews or networking events.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your business development skills by identifying potential clients or sectors that could benefit from Birketts' services. Prepare a brief proposal on how you would approach these opportunities, showcasing your proactive mindset.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your understanding of the local market in Suffolk/East Anglia. Research key industries and organisations in the area, and be ready to discuss how your expertise can cater to their specific employment law needs.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Associate / Legal Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in employment law, particularly in areas mentioned in the job description such as drafting service agreements and advising on boardroom disputes. Use specific examples to demonstrate your expertise.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your understanding of Birketts' values and their Next Level Law proposition. Explain how your skills and experiences align with their needs and express your enthusiasm for contributing to their growth.
Showcase Business Development Skills: Since the role involves business development activities, include any relevant experience you have in networking, pitching, or writing articles. Highlight your interest in growing the practice and how you can contribute to this aspect.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread your documents. Ensure there are no grammatical errors or typos, as attention to detail is crucial in the legal field. Consider asking a colleague to review your application for feedback.
How to prepare for a job interview at Birketts LLP
✨Understand the Firm's Culture
Before your interview, take some time to research Birketts LLP and its culture. Familiarise yourself with their Next Level Law proposition and how they support their employees' growth. This will help you align your answers with their values and demonstrate that you're a good fit for their team.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
As a Senior Associate / Legal Director, you'll need to highlight your experience in employment law. Be prepared to discuss specific cases you've worked on, particularly those involving complex issues like discrimination or redundancy. This will showcase your technical knowledge and practical approach.
✨Demonstrate Business Development Skills
Birketts is looking for someone who can contribute to business development. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged in networking, drafted sector-relevant articles, or supported tenders in your previous roles. This will show your commitment to helping the firm grow.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, be ready to ask thoughtful questions about the team, the firm's future plans, or their approach to client relationships. This not only shows your interest in the role but also gives you a chance to assess if Birketts is the right place for you.
