Senior Employment & Partnership Counsel

Department: Office of General Counsel
Duration: Permanent
Location: Any UK
PQE: 20 +
Reports to: General Counsel
Reference no: 7546

The Department

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) manages complex legal and risk issues for the firm, our board, partners and executive management. We focus on all elements of professional practice risk, including claims, complaints, core regulatory compliance, enterprise risk management, legal advisory and governance.

The team is spread across our region, including London, Glasgow, Milton Keynes, and Dubai, with the team working in a hybrid model, and is made up of qualified lawyers and other qualified specialists. This allows us to offer a distinct viewpoint and create innovative solutions for the risk challenges that emerge throughout the Firm.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Senior Employment/Partnership Counsel to join our Office of General Counsel. This position is well-suited for someone with experience as a Partner in a law firm or at an equivalent level.

The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of employment law in the UK and will be responsible for providing strategic guidance on legal matters to the firm’s partnership and partners. The role will be pivotal in ensuring that Dentons navigates complex employment law matters with precision and foresight, safeguarding the firm’s interests.

This work will include:

• Deliver high-level legal advice on intricate employment / partnership law issues, specifically tailored to the needs of the firm’s partnership, partners, executive management and board, including but not limited to discrimination, unfair dismissal, employee relations, performance management, internal investigations, employment rights and termination issues.
• Work closely with Employee Relations Manager, HR Team and Head of Risk to manage risks associated with partners, board and executive leadership.
• Oversee the development and implementation of employment strategies and partner policies that align with the firm’s strategic objectives, maintaining compliance with ethical, legal and SRA standards.
• Draft, review, and negotiate sophisticated legal documents, including partnership agreements, severance packages, and non-compete clauses, ensuring they reflect best practices and legal requirements.
• Oversee the firm’s compliance with employment laws, providing proactive risk management solutions and ensuring adherence to legal and SRA standards.
• Represent the firm and its partners in high-stakes legal proceedings, including arbitration, mediations and court cases, demonstrating exceptional advocacy skills.
• Stay at the forefront of legal developments in employment / partnership law, advising the partnership on emerging risks.
• Cultivate and manage key relationships with board members, partners, executive management, Employee Relations Manager, Head of Risk and external legal advisors, acting as a trusted counsel and strategic partner.
• Provide guidance and oversight on partner matters related to ethics, risk management and professional responsibility.
• Participate in business development activities, including networking events, seminars and client presentations.

Required Experience, Skills, and Attributes

• Qualified solicitor or barrister in the UK with extensive post-qualification experience in employment law, particularly within a partnership context.
• Extensive experience in handling complex employment law cases, both contentious and non-contentious, providing strategic legal support to senior stakeholders.
• Excellent advocacy skills with a proven track record of successful tribunal and court representations.
• Exceptional drafting and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure.
• Proactive and self-motivated with a commitment to continuous professional development.
• Experience in providing training and seminars on employment law topics.
• Membership in relevant professional organisations such as the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA).

Firm Profile

Across more than 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organisation by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you.

Inclusion and Diversity

We are committed to building an inclusive culture here at Dentons where our people can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance. As well as being the right thing to do, it makes good business sense too. A richness of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives helps us best serve our clients and the communities in which we operate.

Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from everyone including of any age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, neurodiversity, disability, or with parental or caring responsibilities. We also offer flexible working hours.

If you are interested in applying for this position, we welcome direct applications via our careers page, but if you have any questions beforehand, please email Enquiries only please – applications will not be accepted via email.

Please note that we will not accept unsolicited CVs sent to the business, nor will we accept any associated terms of business.

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