Senior Employment Lawyer

Our client:

Our client is a top 50 UK law firm with a rich 160-year history, employing over 700 lawyers and legal professionals across seven locations: Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich, and Sevenoaks. They serve a diverse range of clients, including businesses, government bodies, and individuals, both in the UK and internationally. Their expertise spans four core practice areas: property, corporate services, litigation, and private client advisory.

Our clients strong ambition to succeed is matched by a commitment to positively impact the communities they serve, underpinned by a comprehensive ESG strategy and a dedication to diversity and inclusion. Notably, women make up 40% of our partnership.

About the Employment Team
Our clients dynamic Employment team is recognised as one of the largest and most reputable in the country, with over 40 employment law specialists, including nine partners, across six offices. They provide comprehensive legal services on both contentious and non-contentious employment matters, advising clients from a broad spectrum of sectors, including education, healthcare, construction, transport, and private client services.

Our client are ranked in the Chambers and Legal 500 as a Tier 1 employment law team, known for their technical expertise, practical advice, and strong client relationships. They also offer a wide range of value-added services, including HR consultancy, employee incentives, workplace investigations, and immigration advice.

As they continue to expand, Themis Recruit are now assisting their search for a motivated and experienced employment lawyer to join their growing Sevenoaks office, which has seen rapid growth since opening in April 2023.

Purpose of the Role
Themis Recruit are seeking an experienced employment lawyer to join our clients Sevenoaks team, where you will work alongside a highly skilled Employment Legal Director and a trainee solicitor. The role offers significant potential for growth, with a focus on both legal excellence and business development. You will have the opportunity to play a key role in expanding our clients footprint in the Crawley/Gatwick area, capitalising on the growing demand for top-tier employment law services.

You will be involved in a diverse range of work, including both contentious and non-contentious employment law matters such as:

• Education sector work
• Transactional corporate support
• Wrongful and unfair dismissal
• Redundancy and restructuring
• Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE)
• Restrictive covenants
• Severance claims
• Employment litigation (High Court, County Court, and Employment Tribunal)
• Discrimination (sex, race, disability, age) and equal pay
• Employment contracts and policies (maternity rights, staff handbooks, performance procedures, etc.)

We are looking for a lawyer who can combine excellent technical skills with a commercial mindset, offering practical advice tailored to clients’ needs while managing client relationships and contributing to business development efforts.

The Ideal Candidate
We are seeking a qualified solicitor with at least 8 years’ PQE in employment law, ideally gained within a respected city, regional, or national law firm. You will have the ability to:

• Deliver high-quality, commercially focused legal advice to both employer clients and high-net-worth individuals
• Manage complex and varied caseloads, thinking clearly under pressure and providing concise written advice
• Demonstrate a keen interest in business development, with experience in networking, drafting articles, and supporting pitches and tenders
• Work collaboratively as part of a dynamic team and contribute to its ongoing success and expansion

You will have a flexible approach to your work, ensuring client deadlines are met and maintaining regular communication with clients. Familiarity with the Kent, Surrey, and Sussex business community is highly desirable, but not essential.

Career Development and Rewards
Birketts offers a structured career path, with clear promotion opportunities for high performers. You will join as a Senior Associate (6+ years PQE) or Legal Director (8+ years PQE), with the potential to progress to Partner over time. Our rewards package is regularly reviewed to ensure it reflects our appreciation for our people, and includes:

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), with additional long service leave
• Private healthcare (BUPA), life assurance, and permanent health insurance
• Pension scheme (5% employer contribution)
• Staff profit share scheme
• Enhanced maternity/paternity leave and subsidized gym membership
• Electric car scheme and eye care vouchers
• Agile working policy and Dress for Your Day approach
• Paid ESG day (Environmental, Social, and Governance)

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and offer a range of wellbeing and mental health support services.

Why Us?
You’ll join a friendly, forward-thinking team in a firm with an excellent reputation and ambitious growth plans. This is a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact and grow your career in a dynamic and supportive environment.

If you are a highly motivated employment lawyer ready for the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you. Apply today.