At a Glance
- Tasks: Advocate for clients in Employment Tribunal, handle complex cases, and provide strategic legal advice.
- Company: Markel Law, an award-winning legal firm with a people-first culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, hybrid working, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Flexible working options and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Join a nationally recognised team and make a real impact in employment law.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with strong employment law and tribunal advocacy experience.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.
Be the advocate clients rely on when it matters most! At Markel Law, we do things differently. We’re an award‑winning, SRA‑regulated legal business that combines technical excellence with a genuinely people‑first culture. Backed by the strength of the Markel Group (a Fortune 500 company), yet operating with the agility and personality of a specialist law firm, we help businesses handle risk, resolve disputes, and move forward with confidence.
We’re now seeking an experienced Employment Solicitor Advocate to join our growing Employment Law team in Manchester, playing a pivotal role in tribunal advocacy and complex contentious work.
The Opportunity
This is a high‑profile advocacy‑led role for a solicitor who enjoys being on their feet as much as they enjoy shaping strategy. You’ll represent employer clients in Employment Tribunal proceedings across the full lifecycle of claims, while also providing pragmatic day‑to‑day advisory support. Working closely with colleagues across Manchester and Croydon, you’ll handle a varied and intellectually stimulating caseload aligned to Markel’s SME, professional services, retail and care‑sector client base. Expect real responsibility, autonomy, and the chance to influence how a nationally recognised employment practice continues to evolve.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Act as advocate in Employment Tribunal proceedings, including preliminary, full merits and remedy hearings.
- Deliver persuasive oral submissions, conduct cross‑examinations, and manage witnesses.
- Draft high‑quality pleadings, skeleton arguments, opinions and case strategies.
- Advise employer clients on prospects, risk, and settlement strategy.
- Handle complex litigation and instruct counsel where required.
- Provide commercially focused employment advice, including: Unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing claims; TUPE and collective redundancies; Grievance, disciplinary and appeal processes.
- Deliver training sessions and legal updates to clients.
- Build trusted relationships with clients, HR teams and internal partners.
What We’re Looking For
- Essential
- Qualified solicitor with solid experience in employment law.
- Strong Employment Tribunal advocacy experience.
- Confidence handling own caseload with minimal supervision.
- Excellent drafting, analytical and negotiation skills.
- Clear, pragmatic communicator who can translate legal risk into commercial advice.
- Desirable
- Background advising employer clients.
- Experience with complex or high‑value litigation.
- Interest or experience in delivering client training.
Personal qualities
- Calm, credible and persuasive advocate.
- Commercially minded and solution‑focused.
- Resilient, organised and comfortable working to deadlines.
- Committed to continuous professional development.
Why Join Markel Law
- Competitive salary, annual bonus and comprehensive benefits package.
- 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (with buy/sell options).
- Private medical and dental cover, life assurance, income protection and travel insurance.
- Excellent pension scheme.
- Hybrid working and genuine work‑life balance.
- Career progression within a growing, nationally recognised employment practice.
- Access to professional development and leadership programmes.
- A collaborative, inclusive culture where expertise is valued and individuality respected.
Ready to Make Your Mark
If you’re an employment solicitor who thrives on advocacy and wants the backing of a supportive, forward‑thinking firm, we’d love to hear from you.
Equal‑opportunity Employer
Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.
We are an equal‑opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with all reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful.
Please contact us via email rec@markel.com or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations that may be needed. This includes any alternative formats of any documents or information on how to apply offline.
Employment Solicitor Advocate employer: Markel
At Markel Law, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment in Manchester. Our people-first culture is complemented by competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to professional development, ensuring that our employees thrive both personally and professionally. With the backing of a Fortune 500 company, we provide unique opportunities for career progression within a nationally recognised employment practice, all while maintaining a genuine work-life balance through hybrid working options.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Solicitor Advocate
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in employment law. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising your advocacy skills. Mock interviews can help you refine your persuasive communication and ensure you're ready to impress with your legal knowledge and strategy.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio of your past cases and successes in employment law. This will not only highlight your experience but also demonstrate your ability to handle complex litigation.
✨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 about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Solicitor Advocate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Advocacy Skills:Make sure to highlight your experience in Employment Tribunal advocacy. We want to see how you've handled cases and what strategies you've used to achieve successful outcomes for your clients.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter! We love it when applicants take the time to tailor their application to our job description. Mention specific experiences that align with the role and show us why you’re the perfect fit.
Be Clear and Concise:When drafting your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary, and make sure your passion for employment law shines through!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Markel
✨Know Your Case Law
Brush up on key employment law cases relevant to the role. Being able to reference specific cases during your interview will show your expertise and confidence in the subject matter, which is crucial for an Employment Solicitor Advocate.
✨Practice Your Advocacy Skills
Since this role involves tribunal advocacy, consider doing mock interviews or role-plays where you can practice delivering persuasive arguments. This will help you feel more comfortable and articulate during the actual interview.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask about the firm's approach to employment law and how they support their advocates. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the firm’s culture aligns with your values.
✨Showcase Your Client Relationship Skills
Be ready to discuss how you've built trusted relationships with clients in the past. Highlighting your ability to communicate effectively and provide commercially focused advice will resonate well with the interviewers.
