Employment Solicitor - 5-10 PQE (Preston or Manchester)

Harrison Drury & Co; Preston, Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Preston is seeking a qualified associate/senior associate solicitor with 5-10 years of PQE to join their Employment & HR team. The role involves managing a varied caseload primarily focused on Respondent work, providing support to senior team members, and engaging with clients. Ideal candidates will have experience in handling Employment Tribunal matters and advising HR teams. The firm offers a supportive environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Experience in business client/respondent work preferably in a commercial law firm.
• Handling of Employment Tribunal matters to conclusion acting for the Respondent.
• Past experience advising owners, senior managers, and HR teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage existing caseload consisting largely of Respondent work.
• Liaison with and attendance on clients.
• Engagement with other parties ensuring precise communication.

Skills

Qualified associate / senior associate solicitor

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Strong attention to detail

Client focussed

Ability to work within teams and individually

Education

Qualified solicitor with 5-10 years PQE

Job description

Overview

Harrison Drury is a market leading Firm of solicitors with offices across the North West servicing both business and private clients. We have been successful for a fifth time placing in the Top 100 Best Companies to work for in the UK.

We are an employer of choice because we have a culture that challenges the conventional law firm approach and focusses our energy on getting great results for our clients, while attracting and developing brilliant people.

We are looking to recruit a qualified associate / senior associate solicitor of 5-10 years PQE to join our collaborative and supportive Employment & HR team in either our Preston or Manchester office.

You will manage an interesting and varied existing caseload consisting largely of Respondent work, be involved in identifying and developing new opportunities for the team and provide support to senior fee earners, other members of the team and colleagues in the wider firm.

The Role

• Liaison with and attendance on clients
• Analysis of case and production of advice and guidance as appropriate to the client
• Timely acknowledgement of and progression of client calls and queries
• Engagement with other parties involved in matters ensuring precise communication
• Management of own cases as appropriate and in accordance with compliance and procedural requirements
• Completion of tasks as allocated by senior fee earners on larger and more complex matters in a timely manner
• Delegation of work as appropriate to, and supervision of, junior fee earners
• Liaison with Administration team members ensuring comprehensive task completion in line with team practices and any Court / Tribunal deadlines
• Attendance at Court / Tribunal
• Liaison with Counsel and experts
• Flexibly assisting other members of the team and the organisation
• Development of clients both within own team and referring work internally to other service lines
• Individual targets met and a contribution to team target achievement evident
• Provision of approachable advice and assistance to other HD staff and aware of when to escalate queries which are beyond their remit
• Sharing of ideas within the team
• Recognising and being able to draw on different skill sets within the team to provide a cost-effective service to the client

Skills and Experience

• Qualified associate / senior associate solicitor with 5-10 years PQE
• Past experience of business client / respondent work within preferably a commercial law firm
• Advising owners, senior managers and HR teams on day-to-day employment and HR matters
• Drafting and reviewing of contracts and handbooks, including those for senior staff members and Directors, as well as self-employed individuals
• Handling of Employment Tribunal matters through to conclusion, ideally acting for the Respondent
• Experience of Corporate support work
• Client focussed
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Proven effective management of cases
• Ability to work within teams and individually using own initiative

Desirable Experience

• Business development and marketing activity
• Supervision of junior fee earners
• Provision of training on Employment Law and HR topics, either in person or remotely