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- Tasks: Work on exciting employment law cases and incentives/share plans.
- Company: Join a leading global law firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Broaden your expertise while making a real impact in employment law.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with 1+ years’ PQE and strong employment law background.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking an Associate with 1–4 years’ PQE and a strong background in employment law. Experience or interest in incentives/share plans is highly advantageous. This is an opportunity to broaden your expertise across the intersection of employment and incentives work. You will work on a variety of matters, which could include:
- Contentious Employment: High Court and Employment Tribunal litigation, including employee competition, discrimination and contractual disputes. Conducting and advising on standalone investigations into complex and reputationally sensitive issues. Advising on employment aspects within regulatory and competition law‑related investigations.
- Non-Contentious Employment & Incentives: Advising on employment and incentives issues arising from public and private M&A, restructurings, and insolvency situations. Supporting day‑to‑day HR matters such as senior hiring and terminations, grievances, disciplinary processes, redundancy exercises, governance and remuneration issues. Advising on share plan rules, executive remuneration, malus and clawback, and cross‑border incentive arrangements.
Key Responsibilities
- Draft clear and succinct complex legal documents.
- Negotiate employment and incentive issues independently or with senior colleagues.
- Take ownership of matter management, mentoring trainees and leveraging Legal Services Centre resources.
- Engage in client development, seminars, training and business development initiatives.
- Build strong client relationships, delivering commercially focused advice.
- Maintain strong financial discipline including WIP, billing and unpaid invoices.
Requirements
- Qualified lawyer with 1+ years’ PQE.
- Strong academic background.
- Solid employment law grounding; incentives/share plans experience or interest is a strong plus.
- Experience within a firm recognised for its employment practice.
- Strong technical and transactional skills.
- Proactive involvement in business development.
- Collaborative team player.
About the Team
Our People and Reward department advises on the full spectrum of contentious and non‑contentious employment, pensions and incentives law across multiple jurisdictions. The global practice comprises 23 partners and approximately 100 lawyers across Europe, Asia and the US, with the London team consisting of six partners and around 25 associates. We support clients on strategic, high‑profile and reputationally sensitive matters and collaborate closely with other practice groups on cross‑disciplinary projects. This role sits within our Employment and Incentives team, offering exposure to both employment and share plan matters. You will work as part of a highly regarded, collaborative and experienced team.
Employment/Incentives Associate in London employer: Freshfields
Contact Detail:
Freshfields Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment/Incentives Associate in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the employment law field. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their approach to employment and incentives law, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to shine, so practice common interview questions and have your own ready to ask!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through real-life examples. When discussing your experience, focus on specific cases or projects where you made an impact. This will help potential employers see how you can contribute to their team, especially in areas like contentious employment and share plans.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. So, get your application in and let’s get the conversation started!
We think you need these skills to ace Employment/Incentives Associate in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in employment law and any relevant incentives/share plans knowledge. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about employment law and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it concise but engaging – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements rather than just listing duties. We’re interested in what you’ve accomplished and how it relates to the responsibilities of the Employment/Incentives Associate role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Freshfields
✨Know Your Employment Law
Brush up on your employment law knowledge before the interview. Be prepared to discuss recent cases or changes in legislation that could impact the role. This shows you’re not just qualified but genuinely interested in the field.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Incentives
If you have any experience or interest in incentives and share plans, make sure to highlight it. Prepare examples of how you've dealt with similar issues in past roles or how you would approach them. This can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
As an Employment/Incentives Associate, clear communication is key. Practice articulating complex legal concepts in a straightforward manner. You might be asked to explain your thought process during the interview, so being concise and clear will impress your interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about potential contentious employment issues or regulatory challenges you might face in the role. Prepare structured responses that demonstrate your analytical thinking and ability to manage sensitive situations.