Legal Director (Employment)

Ortus Group have been retained by a growing city law firm to attract a high quality and ambitious Employment Legal Director who will work alongside the head of group as the business enters its next stage of growth. This firm is highly rated in both Chambers and The Legal 500 directories as having one of the leading employment practices in the UK. They provide advice across the UK and internationally, with strong alliances across Europe and a brand in the UK that is widely recognised as being market leading.

The firm operates a collegiate one-firm policy, and lawyers in all offices often work together on client matters. The employment team is made up of over 30 lawyers nationally and covers all forms of employment work. The London HQ office, where this role will be based, houses 18 lawyers alone. The successful candidate will be expected to take on a balanced workload of employee and employer work.

At the mid-senior level, employee work is for senior executives, partners and managers and can range from advice on grievance and disciplinary matters, performance management, unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing issues and claims, assistance with litigation in the Employment Tribunal and High Court including on team moves, and settlement agreements. Employer clients include well-known brands in tech, retail and pharma and a wide range of financial services organisations. Work will include the same matters as well as general day-to-day advice, work on contracts and policies, strategic and management issues, reorganisations and business transfers. We also expect mid-senior level lawyers to be a role model and sounding board for junior lawyers.

Role Requirements

• Excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to multi-task and manage sensitive documents.
• A flexible, ‘can and will do’ attitude with a desire to learn and grow.
• Proactive, especially in anticipating potential issues.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, particularly the ability to communicate clearly and professionally.
• Excellent client care approach.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage a busy workload.
• Ability to manage client and colleague expectations effectively, including when issues arise.
• Confident user of Microsoft Office products and other common software/applications.
• Strong experience in claimant or respondent work, or both.
• Experience in Tribunal and High Court litigation.
• Minimum of six years’ post-qualification experience.

Benefits

• 28 or 30 days’ holiday (dependent on role and in addition to bank holidays).
• Birthday off as an additional day’s leave.
• Bonus.
• 5% matched pension contributions.
• 26 weeks paid Maternity Leave.
• 6 weeks paid Paternity Leave.
• Eye tests.
• Hybrid working (usually three days in the office and two days from home).
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Income Protection Insurance.
• Life Assurance.
• Household and lifestyle shopping discounts.

Please get in touch to find out more.