About Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell is one of the UK’s most prestigious national law firms, combining extensive legal expertise with a people-first approach. Established in 1912, Irwin Mitchell has grown into a full-service law firm known for its client-focused philosophy, “Expert Hand, Human Touch.” With offices across the country, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality legal services while creating a supportive and inclusive environment for our employees. Our firm serves individuals, small businesses, and large corporations, helping them navigate legal challenges and supporting them through both personal and business matters.
We believe in fostering strong relationships with our clients, going beyond just legal services. Our lawyers strive to understand each client’s unique needs, offering tailored solutions and delivering practical advice. This commitment to excellence is reflected in the numerous awards we’ve received, including multiple recognitions as Employment Law Firm of the Year by Personnel Today.
At Irwin Mitchell, we also recognize that traditional work hours don’t suit everyone, which is why we’ve introduced our Flexible by Choice program. This hybrid working model allows our colleagues to choose how they work, whether it’s from home, in the office, or a combination of both, empowering them to balance their professional and personal lives while ensuring that we continue to deliver top-tier service to our clients.
About the Role
We are currently recruiting for a talented Employment Lawyer (Solicitor/Associate) to join our dynamic Employment Law team based in Leeds. The successful candidate will work under the leadership of Partner Jenny Arrowsmith, specializing in all areas of contentious and non-contentious employment law. Our clients come from a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, consumer goods, hospitality, education, and charities. These clients range from SMEs to large corporations, giving you the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of legal matters.
Our national employment team consists of over 60 experienced professionals, and we are growing every year. The team has been recognized for its expertise and dedication, winning numerous awards. In 2023, we were honored with our third nomination for Personnel Today’s Employment Law Firm of the Year, an award we’ve previously won twice.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a leading firm where you will provide advisory services on a range of employment law issues, including:
- Redundancies
- Disciplinaries
- Grievances
- Settlement agreements
- TUPE transfers
- Absence management
- Discrimination and whistleblowing claims
You will also have the opportunity to work on corporate projects and deliver legal training to clients on topics like sexual harassment, equality and diversity, and performance management. Additionally, the role involves handling employment tribunal claims, offering you valuable litigation experience.
Responsibilities
Your key responsibilities as an Employment Lawyer will include:
- Advising clients on a variety of employment law matters, including employee relations issues such as redundancies, grievances, disciplinaries, and whistleblowing cases.
- Handling TUPE transfers, settlement agreements, and discrimination claims for a range of clients.
- Leading and supporting clients through employment tribunal claims, representing their interests in hearings and providing strategic guidance.
- Offering corporate support by delivering training programs and presentations to clients on key topics such as sexual harassment and equality and diversity.
- Contributing to the team’s business development efforts by building strong client relationships and fostering connections with key industry referrers.
- Supervising and mentoring more junior members of the employment team, sharing your expertise and providing guidance as needed.
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About You
We are seeking a qualified Employment Lawyer who is passionate about employment law and can deliver high-quality legal advice to clients. Our ideal candidate should possess the following skills and attributes:
- Qualified lawyer status either through the traditional SRA route or CILEX.
- Proven ability to manage a caseload independently, providing sound legal advice to clients without the need for supervision.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
- A detail-oriented approach, ensuring that all work is completed to the highest standard while providing seamless service.
- Strong technical experience in employment law, with the ability to supervise junior colleagues when required.
- A passion for business development and growing strong relationships with clients and referrers, along with a desire to contribute to the growth and development of the wider employment team.
Benefits – What We Can Offer You
Irwin Mitchell offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both your personal and professional well-being. Some of the key benefits include:
- 25 days of holiday (plus bank holidays) with the option to buy up to 35 additional hours.
- Generous and flexible pension schemes.
- Volunteering Days: Two fully-paid volunteering days per year to support a cause of your choice.
- Health Benefits: Membership with Westfield Health and access to Aviva Digital GP services, offering refunds on medical services.
- A wide range of well-being initiatives designed to promote positive mental health in and out of the workplace, ensuring you feel fully supported.
- Flexible by Choice: Our hybrid working model that allows you to choose how and where you work, subject to role, team, and client requirements.
We are proud to have been ranked among the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing for Large Organisations in 2024, and we are committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where colleagues can flourish. Our responsible business programs are also central to who we are, and we are dedicated to making a positive impact through our focus on community investment, tackling climate change, and pro bono work.
Location
This role is based in Leeds, with the flexibility to work remotely through our Flexible by Choice program. The successful candidate will be expected to spend at least two days per week in the Leeds office, with the flexibility to work from home or another suitable location for the remainder of the time.
Application Process
If you are passionate about employment law and want to work for a firm that is dedicated to making a difference, click the Apply Now button to submit your application. As part of the Irwin Mitchell Group’s onboarding process, successful candidates will undergo employment screening, which includes checks for eligibility to work in the UK, criminal records, and financial integrity. These checks are conducted in compliance with Data Protection laws.
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