Associate - Employment in Birmingham

Trowers & Hamlins is a City-led, international and national law firm with over 170 partners and 1000 staff. With offices across the UK, Middle East and Asia, our global footprint is further enhanced by our strategic partnership with Interlaw which works to facilitate our management of multi-jurisdictional matters. We have leading practices in Corporate, Litigation, Tax, Banking and Finance, Real Estate and Private Wealth. We’ve always been proud of our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and value the variety of our partnership. Our strategic direction is shaped by a desire to grow our business in a way that is responsible and sustainable and has the principles of ESG at its core, guiding the way we operate firmwide.

The Team Trowers & Hamlins is a leading top 40 UK law firm with annual turnover exceeding £100m. Our Employment and Pensions practice is at the heart of our success, operating across all UK offices and advises on a varied client base - from FTSE-listed businesses and housing associations to charities, universities and public bodies. This makes for work that is rarely routine. Our reputation in the market is well established: we hold a Tier One Chambers ranking for 'Not for Profit' employment work and were named Employment Law Firm of the Year at the Personnel Today Awards 2020. We do not rest on those credentials - they reflect a team that consistently takes on complex, high-value work and advises clients through genuinely difficult situations.

The role We are looking for an employment solicitor with between 1 and 5 years' PQE to join our Birmingham office at a time when the team is growing. This is a substantive fee-earning role with real responsibility from the outset. If you are looking for a role where the work is interesting, the clients are engaged, and a team that is friendly and fun, then we could be the team for you.

What you’ll be doing Day-to-day the work is varied. You can expect to be involved in:

• Advising high-profile clients on a range of strategic employment matters
• Drafting employment contracts, policies, and disciplinary and grievance procedures
• Managing employment tribunal claims from initial instruction to resolution
• Supporting complex transactional employment matters
• Contributing to the team's profile through thought leadership articles, seminars and client events
• Developing deep sector knowledge and maintaining cutting-edge awareness of legal developments
• Building long-term client relationships — we work with clients who return to us repeatedly, and we want Associates who understand the value of that
• Maintaining excellence in file management in accordance with Lexcel and departmental standards
• Actively engaging in comprehensive firm-wide and departmental training programmes

What you’ll need We invest in talent through our comprehensive Career Development Framework, with clearly defined competencies and progression pathways. To thrive in this exciting role, we’re looking for:

• A qualified solicitor with at least 1-5 PQE in employment law, ideally with some exposure to commercial and/or public sector clients
• Outstanding academic credentials demonstrating intellectual rigour
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Genuine passion for employment law and its evolving landscape
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities whilst consistently meeting deadlines
• Excellent technical legal skills with meticulous attention to detail
• Natural flair for clear, persuasive legal drafting (highly desirable)
• Entrepreneurial spirit with enthusiasm for business development opportunities
• Collaborative team player who thrives in a supportive, high-performing environment
• Self-motivated individual with strong initiative and problem-solving capabilities
• Positive, proactive approach with the flexibility and commitment to excel
• Genuine drive and enthusiasm for delivering exceptional client service

The Birmingham office has a strong, collaborative culture. You will work closely with partners and senior associates who are invested in your development. Our Employment and Pensions practice is genuinely cross-office, which means you benefit from shared expertise and the scale of a larger practice without losing the cohesion of a tight-knit team. Trowers & Hamlins is an equal opportunities employer and values equity, diversity and inclusion. All applications will be considered on merit and the applicant’s suitability to meet the requirements of the role and will be treated equally irrespective of Ethnicity, Gender (including Trans and non-binary) Race, Disability, Religion and sexual orientation.

If you require any further information on any of our vacancies or would like to discuss any adjustments or additional support that you might need either during the recruitment process or after the offer stage, please feel free to contact our recruitment team on recruit@trowers.com.

As part of our firm recruitment policy our candidates are subject to employment screening background checks. These checks include personal details, education and employment history, professional qualifications and credit and criminal checks as appropriate.