Senior Associate / Principal Associate - Employment (London, Oxford, Cambridge)

Senior Associate / Principal Associate - Employment (London, Oxford, Cambridge)

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Lex Exec

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Handle high-quality employment law cases and mentor junior lawyers.
  • Company: Join a top-tier national Employment practice with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, genuine progression opportunities, and a supportive environment.
  • Other info: Opportunities across London, Oxford, and Cambridge with a focus on long-term growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic team while advancing your career.
  • Qualifications: 6+ years PQE in employment law and strong client communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.

High Quality Employment Work | Strategic Growth Opportunity | Outstanding Culture

Lex Exec is currently supporting the strategic growth of a highly regarded national Employment practice, with Senior Associate and Principal Associate opportunities available across London, Oxford and Cambridge. The team is nationally recognised for the quality of its work and advises a broad client base ranging from fast-growth and entrepreneurial businesses through to established national and international organisations. The practice has particular strength across sectors including technology, education, life sciences, commercial, private wealth and real estate.

The roles offer a broad mix of contentious and non-contentious employment work including:

  • Employment Tribunal and High Court litigation
  • Senior exits and disciplinary matters
  • Corporate support work
  • Restrictive covenant disputes
  • Restructuring and outsourcing projects
  • Day-to-day strategic advisory work
  • Client training and seminars
  • Business development and relationship management

For more senior candidates, there will also be genuine opportunities to supervise and mentor junior lawyers, contribute to team growth initiatives and play a meaningful role in the future direction of the practice.

The wider Employment practice forms part of a substantial national Employment, Pensions and Immigration group with strong cross-office collaboration and excellent specialist support resources. Despite its national scale and reputation, the firm retains a notably collaborative and people-focused culture. There is a clear emphasis on long-term development, flexibility and sustainable career progression rather than purely short-term metrics. These opportunities would particularly suit lawyers looking for a high quality platform without some of the more rigid structures often associated with larger traditional City environments.

The Ideal Candidate

You are likely to have:

  • 6+ years PQE in employment law
  • Strong experience across contentious and non-contentious matters
  • Experience managing Employment Tribunal litigation
  • Excellent drafting and client communication skills
  • Strong commercial awareness
  • A collaborative and relationship-driven approach
  • An interest in mentoring junior lawyers and supporting team development
  • Business development and client relationship management experience

Sector experience in areas such as education, technology or commercial clients would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why These Opportunities Stand Out

  • Senior level opportunities across multiple offices
  • High quality and varied employment work
  • Strong national platform with excellent support
  • Genuine progression and leadership opportunities
  • Collaborative and supportive culture
  • Flexible and people-focused working environment
  • Opportunity to play a meaningful role in continued team growth

About Lex Exec: Lex Exec is a boutique legal search firm specialising in strategic appointments across the private practice legal market. We work closely with a select number of law firms and legal professionals, with a particular focus on long-term career alignment, culture fit and progression potential rather than volume recruitment. If you would like a confidential discussion about these opportunities, or the wider Employment market, please get in touch.

Senior Associate / Principal Associate - Employment (London, Oxford, Cambridge) employer: Lex Exec

Lex Exec is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and people-focused culture that prioritises long-term development and sustainable career progression. With opportunities for genuine leadership and mentorship, particularly in the vibrant cities of London, Oxford, and Cambridge, employees can engage in high-quality employment work while enjoying a flexible working environment that supports both personal and professional growth.

Lex Exec

Contact Detail:

Lex Exec Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Associate / Principal Associate - Employment (London, Oxford, Cambridge)

Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to former colleagues or mentors. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.

Show Off Your Skills

When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Share specific examples of your work that demonstrate your expertise and how you can add value to their team.

Be Ready for the Interview

Prepare for interviews by researching the firm’s culture and recent cases they’ve handled. Think about how your background aligns with their needs, especially in areas like business development and mentoring junior lawyers. Confidence is key!

Apply Through Our Website

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for candidates who fit well with our collaborative and supportive culture.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Associate / Principal Associate - Employment (London, Oxford, Cambridge)

Employment Law
Contentious and Non-Contentious Matters
Employment Tribunal Litigation
Drafting Skills
Client Communication Skills
Commercial Awareness
Business Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your 6+ years PQE in employment law and any relevant contentious and non-contentious matters you've handled.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're a great fit for the role and how your collaborative approach aligns with our supportive culture at StudySmarter.

Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since excellent client communication is key, make sure your application is clear and concise. Use professional language but keep it friendly – we want to see your personality shine through!

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 don’t miss out on any important updates from our team.

How to prepare for a job interview at Lex Exec

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your employment law knowledge, especially around contentious and non-contentious matters. Familiarise yourself with recent case law and trends in the sectors mentioned, like technology and education, so you can speak confidently about them.

Showcase Your Experience

Prepare to discuss specific examples from your 6+ years PQE that highlight your skills in managing Employment Tribunal litigation and client communication. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.

Emphasise Collaboration

Since the firm values a collaborative culture, be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively in teams. Share experiences where you've mentored junior lawyers or contributed to team growth initiatives, as this will resonate well with their ethos.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the firm's culture and future direction. Inquire about their approach to professional development and how they support their lawyers in achieving long-term career goals. This demonstrates your alignment with their values.