Senior Associate Solicitor – Employment in London

About Thrive Law

Are you ready to redefine what it means to be a Senior employment lawyer?

Do you believe everybody should be enabled to thrive in the workplace?

At Thrive Law, we practise law differently.

We are a progressive, thought-leading, multi-award-winning law firm fighting for a fair, equitable and inclusive employment landscape where everyone thrives.

We believe that technical excellence is a given, and truly great legal support also needs to be commercially grounded and deeply human.

That means we focus on people, culture, context and the real-world impact of every situation faced by our clients.

We're dedicated to fostering a positive shift in the legal sector, propelled by our Managing Director Jodie Hill’s personal journey and her ground-breaking work in mental health advocacy within the legal profession.

Our mission is clear: we exist to deliver excellence, drive education, advocate for change, and empower individuals.

We live and breathe our core values which include collaboration, equality for all, empowerment, authenticity and proactive change.

This opportunity is for those who place Diversity & Inclusion at the forefront of business agenda and are eager to join a firm where well-being is part of the DNA.

The Role

We now have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Associate Solicitor to join our growing team.

We are looking for someone ambitious who not only wants to do excellent legal work but also wants to help shape a firm, meaningfully support clients, and develop junior lawyers through effective delegation, feedback and supervision.

You may also be looking for more balance, more purpose and more humanity than you are finding elsewhere.

You might be balancing family commitments, caring responsibilities, personal interests or simply a desire to work in a way that feels sustainable.

At Thrive, you will not be a small cog in a big wheel.

You will be a valued member of a small team, with the opportunity to make a visible impact.

This is a senior role ideally suited to someone with over 6 years PQE.

However, we are open to considering candidates who can showcase the requisite skills and experience for the role.

In this pivotal role at Thrive Law, you will become an integral member of our dynamic growing team, working closely with our Partners on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious legal matters spanning advisory HR services and Employment Tribunal representation for both claimants and respondents.

You will predominantly be focusing on litigation in an employment context.

We are looking for someone who can bring confidence, sound judgment and emotional intelligence to client relationships.

Our clients come to us because they want advisers who understand that workplace challenges are rarely just legal problems.

They are commercial, cultural and human problems too.

Through this role, you will have the opportunity to work with organisations that care about positive workplace culture, inclusion, wellbeing and innovative approaches to people issues.

Do NOT Apply If

• Your focus is solely on billable hours rather than making a significant impact.
• The foundational values of Thrive Law don’t resonate with you.
• You prefer working in isolation, away from a collaborative team environment.
• You view ED&I and well-being initiatives as mere formalities rather than essential practices.
• You don’t like the complexities and fast paced environment of employment litigation.

DO Apply If

• You’re an adept employment litigator seeking smarter innovative ways to work.
• You can manage a varied employment law caseload with an appropriate level of independence
• You thrive in dynamic settings and are capable of leading and managing a hybrid team.
• You can contribute positively to the growth, culture and future direction of the firm.
• Your passion extends beyond litigation to training, ED&I, well-being, and embracing the occasional team karaoke!

What’s On Offer?

• The chance to be part of an award-winning team with a real emphasis on workplace diversity, inclusion, mental health, and well-being.
• A truly flexible working environment that champions productivity and meeting the needs of our clients and business in a hybrid role.
• A competitive salary reflective of your experience, if you have a following, and the unique value you bring.
• Direct access to Partners and genuine investment in your development. We are a people focussed firm; we invest in our people and watch them “thrive”.
• No billable hours target, with bonuses based on performance and behaviours.
• For experienced Senior Associate applications, scope for transparent career progression to a Partnership role for someone who wants to grow with us.
• Being involved directly with clients developing your own portfolio.
• Thrive’s ‘Making a Difference’ Awards – A chance to win more holiday or vouchers every month.
• An invitation to contribute creatively to marketing, business development, and the wide array of services we offer, reinforcing our commitment to valuing diverse perspectives and team involvement.
• 2 x paid wellbeing days a year (in addition to holidays)
• Paid days off for pro bono or volunteering during work time.

What do we require from our people?

• First and foremost, alignment with Thrive Law's values and a commitment to exemplary workplace culture. We are not like most traditional law firms and that is intentional.
• The desire to significantly impact clients, colleagues, and the legal profession.
• Awareness of mental health issues in the employment lifecycle and a commitment to creating inclusive, barrier-free workplaces.
• First class client management skills and client service levels.
• Flexibility.

Whilst remote and flexible working is offered and encouraged, you will be expected to attend our Head Office in Leeds on occasion, especially for key meetings and events.

If you are not passionate about the values on which Thrive was founded, this is not the firm for you.

What’s desirable?

• Experience in Business Development, Marketing, and Compliance.
• Knowledge in advising clients within specific sectors like education, charity, retail, or health & well-being.
• Proficiency with technology and AI. We are an innovative firm embracing digital tools alongside developing our own.
• Experience delivering client training.
• An existing client base is advantageous.

What do our clients say?

“Thrive’s positive and welcoming culture is infectious and I’m proud to be working with them.”

“We can honestly say this is a company that very much has the hearts (and minds) of clients at the top of their priority rather than the fiscal driven priorities of most law firms, the advice we have received has been outstanding, we now consider a proactive rather than reactive approach to our employees’ and approach the wellbeing of our staff with more consideration than ever before.”

Still Interested?

Please apply via the Thrive Law 'careers' website. You will be required to upload the following:

• A covering letter, to include but not limited to, your up-to-date Linked In profile, why you are attracted to the role, and the relevant experience you can bring to the role.
• Your up to date C. V.

Thrive Law are a proudly diverse and inclusive team and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds.

We have capacity for a full-time role but will consider part-time/flexible applications.

Please make this clear when contacting us along with any adjustments you may need to the application process or interview.