NQ - 3 PQE Solicitor, Employment Education in Birmingham

Our Employment team provides commercial, practical advice to employers and senior employees on all aspects of employment law. The team comprises a number of highly skilled litigators and is known for its successful handling of Employment Tribunal litigation, including large complex discrimination cases. Our specialist Education team continues to grow and is one of the firm's leading practice areas recognised as a national leader, ranked in Tier 1 by both Chambers and The Legal 500.

We are looking for a Newly Qualified to 3 years’ PQE Solicitor to join our Employment Education team, predominantly advising Higher Education and Further Education clients, but also some Academy and Schools clients too. You will have exposure to high quality work, working with our collaborative team on all aspects of employment law, which is both contentious and non-contentious.

• Attending and running client meetings
• Taking clients’ instructions
• Giving clear advice in correspondence and in person
• Drafting documents, letters, and contracts tailored to the client’s individual needs
• Attending and delivering internal and external training to clients
• Negotiating with clients and other professionals to secure agreed objectives
• Acting on behalf of clients in disputes and representing them in tribunal, if necessary
• Instructing barristers or specialist advocates to appear in tribunal for the client in complex disputes
• Preparing papers for tribunal
• Working in a team, sometimes referring cases to the head of department
• Producing internal bulletins
• Delegating appropriate work to trainees/paralegals and supporting more senior staff on large complex matters
• Taking a proactive approach to business development

• Previous experience in employment law. If newly qualified previous experience in a paralegal and/or trainee capacity within employment law. Employment Education sector experience is highly desirable but not essential.
• The ability to manage files effectively
• A willingness and enthusiasm to get involved in business development activities

• A desire to specialise in this area of law
• A desire to enhance client relationships through day-to-day activity
• To be highly organised with flexibility during busy periods
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Willingness to work hard with drive and enthusiasm
• A high degree of initiative and the ability to cope in a demanding environment
• Excellent organisational and prioritising skills
• The ability to work in a busy team

• Highly motivated, willing to go the extra mile and be happy to go beyond the job description
• Respectful towards others and have a positive, willing and ‘can do’ attitude
• Keen to learn, interested in driving your own career progression and be proactive in taking ownership of this

We embrace agile working and offer a blended approach to where and how we work. We appreciate that people have different needs and preferences and we’re keen to be flexible, after all, we value what you do, not where you do it. We have the following hubs across the UK: Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, Leicester, Lincoln, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Sheffield, Stratford upon Avon and in the South East; Brighton, Chichester, Crawley, East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Lewes, Seaford, Storrington, Southampton & Tunbridge Wells.

Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.