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About the Role

We are seeking an Associate to join our Employment team, focusing on complex employment litigation and commercially focused advice for charities, not-for-profits, and businesses with a social purpose. This role offers the chance to handle high-quality employment work with a sense of purpose, advising organizations that create meaningful social impact. You will engage directly with clients, manage matters, and have opportunities for business development and practice growth.

Responsibilities

Work across a broad range of contentious and advisory employment matters.
Handle discrimination and equality issues, including high-risk and sensitive complaints.
Manage whistleblowing cases.
Address grievances, disciplinary, and performance issues.
Handle board-level disputes.
Manage TUPE and business reorganisations.
Conduct sensitive and complex workplace investigations.
Manage redundancies, restructures, and organisational change.
Address complex employee and industrial relations issues, including collective disputes and trade union matters.
Advise on employment status, worker, and volunteer issues.
Pursue personal interests through practice.
Develop management skills through supervising junior fee earners.
Contribute to business development.
Work cross-departmentally through sector groups.
Co-manage client relationships with partners.
Support the development of recently qualified lawyers.
Be involved in the development of the department’s strategy.
Adapt and remain flexible to meet client needs.

Requirements

UK qualified lawyer with at least 4 years post qualification experience.
Enthusiasm for business development.
Passion for client service, building strong relationships, and growing practice through business development opportunities.
Share firm values and desire to make a difference.
Experience handling employment law matters, ideally including advisory, transactional, and contentious work.
Ability to take individual responsibility while being a collaborative team member.
Experience managing work for multiple partners and clients while maintaining and nurturing relationships.
Experience in, or a willingness to, identify and pursue new client opportunities and contribute to business development initiatives.
Skilled at exceeding the expectations of a demanding client base.
Client-centric and outcome-oriented, with a focus on delivering results.
Willing to challenge the status quo when it benefits the work.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Genuine interest in the work, with a willingness to ask questions and propose ideas.

Skills

Employment law
Advisory
Transactional work
Contentious work
Business development
Client relationship management
Team collaboration
Communication skills
Negotiation

Location

London

Work Type

Full Time
Hybrid Working
Part-time options available

Experience Level

Associate
4+ years post qualification experience

Education Level

UK qualified lawyer

Benefits

Sustainable pensions
IVF support
Private healthcare

About the Company

Our practice combines complex and ground-breaking employment litigation with pragmatic, commercially focused advice.
We have a strong track record of running significant appellate cases at every level of the UK courts, including the Supreme Court, and of being involved in cases that have established important new points of employment law.
Our clients range from listed companies to international charities, with particular expertise in charities, not-for-profits and businesses with a social purpose.
We are particularly well-known for working with charities and the not for profit sector.
We’ve handled many high-profile test cases in the higher courts, both in the UK and Europe including the recent worker status claim against Uber (acting for the test Claimants) and the Coleman v Attridge Law case which established the principle of associative discrimination.
We advise about all aspects of the employment relationship, from first query to tribunal.
We also carry out investigations for clients and deliver training.
Impact-Driven Purpose: We align profit with social purpose to create lasting positive impact for our people, communities, and planet.
Committed to the Climate: Through our Climate & Nature Group, we reduce environmental impact and drive a just transition to net zero.
Championing Inclusion: We foster a diverse, inclusive culture where creativity and innovation thrive.
At Bates Wells, equity, diversity, and inclusion are part of who we are and how we work.
As a B Corp and purpose-driven law firm, we’re committed to building a workplace that is fair, inclusive, and representative of all.

Equal Opportunity

At Bates Wells, equity, diversity, and inclusion are part of who we are and how we work.
As a B Corp and purpose-driven law firm, we’re committed to building a workplace that is fair, inclusive, and representative of all.